It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down
I had the radio on, I was drivin’
Trees flew by, me and Del were singin’ little Runaway
I was flyin’
Today a fun little drive right before the leaves turn led us to the lighthouse in Holland Michigan. Funny, 36 years ago when we lived in Holland, we never even bothered to see it. Lighthouses just weren’t a priority. Parties on the beach were, or trips to Chicago, or Toronto, or longer ones to St Louis and Kansas City.
Back in those days, it was a different world. Work stress was so minor. So easily manageable. Technology was less intrusive. I read a study where the average teenager now sends 3,000 texts per month. Seventy percent of people sleep with their cell phones. Thirty six percent check their cell phones DURING sex. What? Seriously, if you are part of this 36 percent… you have a major problem.
So, if I was still in “work hell”, where would I go for a quick short four-day vacation? Chicago? Umm, hell no!
Th chairman of the Japanese Society of Forest Medicine offers this advice:
“If you have time for a vacation, don’t go to a city. Go to a natural area. Try to go one weekend per month. Visit a park at least once a week. Gardening is good. On urban walks, try to walk under trees, not across fields. Go to a quiet place. Near water is also good.”
First, wait. Yes, the Society of Forest Medicine is a real thing. Japan and Korea are well on their way to scientifically documenting the tremendous health and productivity benefits of investing time in the natural world. And prescribing it for treatment. Fascinating research happening right now. Back in the early 1990’s the research on the benefits of exercise were building. Now, it is accepted fact. Now, the research on the impact of investing time in the natural world is developing to the same conclusion.
I cannot overstate how fantastic these past five months have been. But for everyone, the benefits of routinely investing at least a little time in nature are coming into focus. Time by water, whether it be an ocean, lake or river. Time spent in the woods, in the desert, mountain climbing… all pay off.
Hope you are able to chose nature soon, and often.