Nature Happiness

Rock Hopping @ Sand Harbor State Park, Lake Tahoe

"Nature happiness" - I was reminded by this phrase by my blogging besties, Zen and Cher, as they were describing my immeasurable joy whenever I am out in nature. Indeed, nature has a very strong rejuvenating power in me that clears my thoughts and body from the stresses of daily life. I was not always into "nature happiness" though. My childhood reveled in the utmost joy of nature, but college and early years of professional life drew me away from it. For a while, I was absorbed in the pulsing heart of a dynamic city. Going out then meant watching movies, watching theater plays, eating out, feasting on galleries and museums, shopping and more shopping, watching concerts, jazz and other music clubs hopping, and whatever this modern world has to offer. Until I slowly was finding myself.....
1. Getting tired most of the time.
2. Constantly bothered by headaches, migraines, allergies and colds.
3. Burnt out, not only from work, but from almost everything I was doing.

Slowly, I started going back to the joyful life I've known as a child.

I started going to the beach or the river or the mountains more often. I would spend more time running or walking to the park, or swimming than going to the mall or to the cinemas. There, I found a joy that stays with me even am back indoors. I found that going back to nature was going back to myself. I found self-peace, contentment and happiness that could never be compared to a silver ounce or gold.

The Joy of Playing In the Water, Tenaya Lake, Yosemite National Park, CA

Hiking, boogie boarding, snorkeling, any forms of nature wandering made me felt more relaxed and energized. I never knew self-peace and contentment would set in so quickly and early in my life. As soon as I turned myself back into nature again, somehow, I stopped from craving material things that always in the end made me more unsatisfied, craving for more, and unhappier. Instead, my relaxed and energized body, mind and heart found a contentment beyond my imagination. I found the healing touch of nature works wherever I may be, even in the comforts already of home or in the busyness of work. I soon settled peacefully in the Joys of Simple Life.

"Nature Happiness" is actually supported by science. Over the past decade, researchers from diverse fields such as biology, psychiatry, engineering, horticulture, neuroscience, and medicine found a direct correlation between time spent outdoors and cognitive, physical, and emotional health. Studies show that enjoying nature can reduce blood pressure, anxiety, and stress levels. Exposure to nature can help one sleep well, increase vigor and liveliness and boost immune system.

Personally, I find that being out in nature, is being home with myself, where I could listen to the deeper beatings of my heart.

High On Ice, High on "Nature Happiness"

♥♥