Get outdoors as often as you can to walk, bike or skate. Take a walk alone or with a friend (social distance) in a new area you have not explored yet. Choose to walk silently for a while either before or after you catch up with your news. Silence heightens your awareness.
As you walk quietly, focus on your senses.
Notice the sounds around you. Do you hear any nature sounds? Birds? Water?
Feel the air. Temperature? Wind? Breeze?
What do you see? Birds? Squirrels? Can you identify any of the birds? Do you have bird feeders and water fountains in your yard?
What do you smell? Flowers? Can you find their location? Take a photo with your phone. Look them up when you get home. Maybe you would like to plant fragrant flowers in your garden? Show your photos to your nursery man or woman. They will help you find them.
What do these senses remind you of? An afternoon in an aunt’s fragrant garden? The first time you saw a squirrel? A walk with a friend beside a flowing stream?
Our memories are often tied to one or more of our senses. Notice how relaxed and peaceful you feel right now? This is my favorite way to manage stress!
