Posted on : By : Michelle Posted in : Uncategorized

On Tenterhooks

In the US we are approaching an Election Day unlike any I have ever known in my 57 years. Each side believes there is more at stake than in any other election – some have stated that the very soul of this country is at stake. Nearly 70 percent of Americans responding to a recent survey said that the presidential election was a significant source of stress in their lives, with 76 percent of Democrats and 67 percent of Republicans experiencing anxiety.

This election would be difficult in the best of circumstances, but of course we’re not dealing with the best of circumstances. COVID-19. Political polarization at all levels, from our national leaders to our neighbors. Isolation. The end of longer, sunnier days. If there was ever a perfect storm of anxiety triggers, this is it.

I must confess my coping mechanisms in the last two weeks have not been helpful. Hello snacking, my old friend. Yes, Michelle, peanuts and dried apricots are “healthy foods,” but not by the fistful. And I won’t even get into the “left over” Halloween candy.

But I’m trying, friends. And I’m also trying to not be too tough on myself when my choices aren’t the wisest. Each day I pick myself back up, dust myself off, and try again.

Of course, nature is still there for me. The gloomy weather we had all week finally broke yesterday and we had a glorious, albeit chilly, perfect autumn day. As I walked through “my” woods at the end of the street, I was very conscious of soaking in every golden shaft of sunlight, knowing the weather could turn at any moment (and today has been a weird mix of gloom, snippets of sunshine, and high winds – with our power even flickering once).

My favorite things to photograph in the woods these days:

  • the random collections of leaves and acorns that fall on tree stumps – to me they create such fascinating tableaux
  • the rich textures juxtaposed during this season
  • mushrooms! there are so many different varieties adorning nearly every fallen tree
  • moss! I’m a big lover of moss – especially now, with the bright greens looking so lush against the browns and yellows
  • views looking up through the dwindling canopy – especially when the background is a brilliant, blue sky

Wherever you are, whatever you are dealing with, I hope you find some gentle ways to cope. If you have a wild place to retreat to, whether it be a beach, desert trail, forest, or merely a tiny green space with a tree or two – I highly suggest some nature therapy. Bundle up if necessary. I guarantee it will do you some good.

Love,

Michelle xoxo

Posted on : By : Michelle Posted in : Uncategorized

Lovely Spring

Today was a funny old day. I had a doctor’s appointment at 8:45 (no, not coronavirus-related) and an over-the-phone lesson in how to remote into one of the work computers we’ll be sharing. After a late breakfast there was a conference call for our department in which we were told what we need to accomplish in the three hour window we are all being given each day. I must say I’m glad to be getting back to work. It will be a challenge – for one thing, in my cubicle at work I have three computer monitors and could easily use a fourth because we all need to have multiple windows open all the time. For the next few weeks I will be using my laptop. It’s going to get crowded!

Speaking of crowded, Sam and I went for a walk this afternoon, an idea that must have struck half of the neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods at the same time. Definitely an exercise in serpentine evasive maneuvers!

Nature was putting on a lovely albeit quiet show along the way. I tried to really focus on the subtle changes around me. The trees are starting to bud out, crocuses and daffodils are blooming. The forsythia can’t be far behind. I’m finding that when I’m feeling frazzled (which is more often during this pandemic than usual) focusing on the beauty of the world around me helps smooth out the rough edges.

Love,

Michelle xoxo

Posted on : By : Michelle Posted in : Uncategorized

Forest Bathing – It’s a Thing

The first time I heard the term “forest bathing” it brought to mind people people bathing in hot springs. Then I heard there were such things as “forest bathing guides” and I thought, “maybe people need a guide to bring them to the hot springs?”

Turns out forest bathing has nothing to do with actually taking a bath. Instead, the term “forest bathing” is a rough translation of the Japanese term “shinrin-yoku,” a form of nature therapy that was introduced in the 1980’s as a response to fast-paced urban life. It is nothing more or less than mindful time in nature, emphasis on “mindful.” In order to forest bathe correctly, you must take your time and pay attention to everything around you, using your senses of sight, hearing, smell, and touch to fully experience your surroundings.  Running through a forest listening to a podcast or your favorite music might be a wonderful experience, but it doesn’t qualify as shinrin-yoku. You have to go slowly, looking all around you, stopping often, paying attention to the sounds and smells of nature.

So, why would you want to experience nature in this way? There have been several studies measuring the body’s response to forest bathing and the results are impressive. Reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol, lower heart rate, reduced risk of coronary heart disease, and improved immune response. All of those indicators are noteworthy, but the improved immune response really got my attention, so I did a little google research and found a few articles, including this study. What they found was a 50% increase in natural killer (NK) cells for the subjects engaged in forest bathing. NK cells are the cells that attack cancer cells. By anyone’s measure, this has to be a good thing, right? 

Now, forest bathing is not being touted as a cure for cancer by any means, and I wouldn’t be so irresponsible as to suggest it might be in the future. Instead, I think of it as one of many lifestyle choices – like getting 8 hours of sleep, exercising regularly, and eating my veggies – that could work in synergy to help maximize my health. And it’s not like spending time in nature is any hardship. It’s not like gagging down a smoothie made of broccoli sprouts because they’re supposed to be good for you (guilty!). I’m sure there must be people out there who truly don’t like spending time in nature, but most of us find spending time in nature a reward in and of itself. All of these physical benefits are just icing on the cake. So, win-win! 

I wondered how much time I would have to spend forest bathing in order to reap any benefits, and found this article that showed that two hours a week (cumulative) is the threshold point at which benefits can be measured. I was glad to hear that you don’t have to do two hours all at once, but that every little bit helps.

On Saturday morning I went for a walk in the little park at the end of my street. It’s not the park with the dramatic sunset-watching vistas. It’s just a small wooded area with a .6 mile trail running through it. The ground was icy, so my planned power walk turned into a tentative stroll. Aha, I thought. Time to try out this forest bathing thing.

These tracks reminded me of those old-timey dance step diagrams.

Nature cooperated in spades. So many birds singing up a storm! Animal tracks easily seen in the thin layer of icy snow on the ground. I saw an owl in flight and locked eyes with her as she perched high in a tree. An enormous pileated woodpecker doing what woodpeckers do best (gosh it looks like a lot of work for whatever food they get from all that pecking). The air was crisp and smelled fresh and clean. I could definitely feel my body slowing down and relaxing. An hour later I returned home, feeling rejuvinated. 

When I take my morning walk, I usually do laps around the neighborhood. I start my weekday walk at 6ish, and walking alone through the woods at that time would probably be foolhardy. I also like to go as fast as I can and listen to podcasts or music. So, any future forest bathing will have to be done on the weekends, as my after-work hours are pretty much spoken for. But I will definitely be trying it again. 

In which I see an owl and reveal just how goofy I am. 🙂