April 11, 2025

Hello Followers,

Thank goodness it is Friday!

Nature is not just something we see, it is something we feel deeply within.

True peace comes from a deep connection to nature, where we feel it not only with our eyes but with our entire being.

Nature holds timeless wisdom that can guide us to inner peace.

The next time you are feeling stressed or disconnected, go out in nature and hug a tree.

Today Dan and I will explore nature and how it makes you feel more alive.

It is no surprise that something about nature makes us feel more alive and vital.

Being outdoors gives us energy, makes us happier, helps us to relieve the everyday stresses of our overscheduled lives, opens the door to creativity, and helps us to be kind to others.

No one knows if there is an ideal amount of nature exposure.

Longtime backpackers suggest a minimum of three days to really unplug from our everyday lives.

Nor can anyone say for sure how nature compares to other forms of stress relief or attention restoration, such as sleep or meditation.

Still, the research does suggest there is something about nature that keeps us psychologically healthy, and that is good to know especially since nature is a resource that is free and that many of us can access by just walking outside our door.

Results like these should encourage us as a society to consider more carefully how we preserve our wilderness spaces and our urban parks.

And while the research may not be conclusive, it is optimistic that science will eventually catch up to what people have intuited all along, that there is something about nature that renews us, allowing us to feel better, to think better, and to deepen our understanding of ourselves and others.

Hugging a tree offers several benefits

Reduces Stress: Tree hugging can significantly lower stress levels by reducing cortisol, a stress hormone.

Enhances Emotional Well-being: It promotes the release of oxytocin, often called the 'love hormone', which helps you feel calm and happy.

Improves Physical Health: Regularly hugging trees can lower blood pressure and heart rate, contributing to better cardiovascular health.

Connects with Nature: Engaging in this activity fosters a deeper connection with the natural world, which can improve overall mental health.

These benefits highlight the positive impact of tree hugging on both mental and physical well-being.

CHEWING A CLOVE DAILY

What would happen if you chewed one clove daily for just 7 days?

This simple act can unlock surprising health benefits for you.

Cloves, the dried flower buds of clove trees, have been used for centuries in both culinary and medicinal practices.

Their distinctive flavor comes from eugenol, a compound that is responsible for many of their therapeutic effects.

Studies suggest that eugenol can reduce inflammation, which benefits cognitive function and heart health.

Eugenol is also thought to have natural sedative properties, making it beneficial for sleep.

Plus, cloves are a rich source of antioxidants, which help support your immune system.

Take advantage of the many potential benefits of cloves by simply chewing on them, it will freshen your breath as an added benefit!

For the record, forest bathing is best done OUTSIDE!

But if that is not possible, here is the next best thing.

Enjoy this 10-minute guided meditation to calm your mind and connect to nature.

Forest Bathing is a term created by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture with the goal of living in the present moment while immersing your senses in the sights and sounds of a natural setting.

When we spend time connecting to nature, naturally our desire to protect and preserve the earth strengthens.

Until Saturday, Trees are one of the best gifts natures has given us.

Hug a tree today and embrace nature.