In between the songbirds, the turkey geese, cockatoos, kookaburras, frogs and crickets, you get about ten minutes of quietude before the next symphony starts up. The woods are not quiet or silent. It’s loud, rambunctious for territory and busy with activity. From dawn till dusk.
The sentiment of getting away from it all has a different connotation to what really goes on, when one is in the woods. You have to take your turn and wait for the stillness. And grab it while you can.
Much like being at home with a busy household and / or a demanding business. Stepping into the bush is noisy and hectic.
Yet being in the woods relieves stress and improves immune defences. Research shows that exposure to nature can lower blood pressure. There are so many health benefits for being in nature it is a perfect panacea. For all of its loudness and busy-ness, it simultaneously calms and focuses the mind, offering deep relaxation.
I think that’s why I love to head to nature. Whilst just being in its presence, it is giving me so much more and I feel my super powers returning.
For those who don’t like the bush, or never have the opportunity to get to the bush, think again. Take some time for it, you will leave feeling so different, and you may not even be able to put your finger on it, but you will turn up at the office the next day, changed.
Nature is our medicine, bathe yourself in it’s noisy and uncomfortable space – you’ll be so pleased you did.
