By Nanci Nilles Psy.D. 
 
Not only is nature beautiful, now there is evidence it may reduce type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, sleep disorders, pre-term birth, and premature death.
 
An examination of the evidence from 140 studies involving populations from the UK, US, Spain, France, Germany, Australia, and Japan, suggests communities with higher levels of green space are more likely to report overall good health. The study defined green space as both open underdeveloped land with natural vegetation as well as urban green spaces such as parks and street greenery. (Twohig-Bennet 2018) 

There are theories as to why nature seems to heal. Some speculate the increased physical activity and socialization, which often accompanies outdoor activity, is responsible for a decrease in inflammation. Others speculate the outdoors exposes the body to a wider range of bacteria than an indoor dwelling, which strengthens the immune system.
 
Being in nature also seems to switch the body into a "rest and digest" mode, which is the opposite of the fight or flight mode. The fight or flight response diverts physical resources from "nonessential" functions such as the immune system. When the body is in nature and feels safe, the immune system strengthens which improves overall mental and physical health.  

It can be tempting to hole up for the winter in front of screens. However, a walk around the neighborhood, stepping outside a work site for a breath of fresh air, or faithfully filling the bird feeder may be more healing and helpful than you would have ever thought - no need to wait for spring to get a dose of nature's healing. 
 
The Health Benefits of the Great Outdoors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Green Space Exposure and Health Outcome. Environmental Research July 2018. Twohig-Bennet et al.

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By CML Practitioners
 
The following offerings reflect the intent for the coming year of those of us that share the healing space at The Center for Mindful Living:
 
Simply-Deeply-Truly
Laura Crosby
Living simply, awake to the essential, direct experience of each moment. 
Living and loving from my deep places, embodied in body-heart-mind-spirit.
Being my truest self, honoring what comes from wise, compassionate knowing. 
 
Trust
Daniel Tipton
This year, I intend to work on trust. In this case, I mean trust in myself. I have experienced that if I try to do the right thing, the universe has my back. My anxiety, anger, frustration, etc... usually boil down to a temporary lapse in self-trust and trust in the greater forces at work. When my intentions and actions are inhibited by self-doubt, I only delay the positive outcomes that work their way to me anyway.  
 
Integration
Kara Cavel
Integration is my word for 2020. This word is inspired by a quote from the Irish poet John O'Donohue (found originally in a book written   by Dr. Dan Siegel)
"I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding."  
This year I hope to be liberated by the familiar and inspired by the unknown. 
   
Sacred
Pamela Mueggenberg
This will be a year of great change for me - I am taking a step back from my therapy practice to spend time loving on my new baby, due in May. My family, artistic, and professional life will dramatically shift with our new arrival, and with it the temptation to get stuck in the weeds of anxiety and the desire to control. Thinking of this, my word for the year is SACRED.  What transcends this poop-y diaper?  What lifts me from exhaustion and reminds me of the greater whole?  What is precious, vitally important to me, right now?  My promise to myself is to ask what is truly sacred to me, each day - and, during those rougher days, maybe even each moment.  
   
Persistence
Nanci Nilles
Persistence is my word for 2020. There is not much glamour to it, but without persistence, goals fade, and complacency prevails. This next year I will be persistent in my practice of gratitude for my blessings. I will be persistent in my practice of self-care.
 
Spaciousness
Louisa Foster
I've chosen spaciousness as my focus this year. I would like to make more room in my life, both internally and externally. I realize that compassion and presence in one's life require time and intent. By creating spaciousness, I can attend to the values and people that matter most to me, without the distractions of things that no longer serve.
   
And...
Won't you add your word for the year? We would love to hear from you. What is your focus this year and why? Please post your response on our Facebook page and let's keep the conversation going.

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Daniel G. Weidner
 
"By the Law of Periodical Repetition, everything which has happened once must happen again and again and again -- and not capriciously, but at regular periods, and each thing in its own period, not another's, and each obeying its own law." (Mark Twain).
 
The time of the coronavirus known as Covid-19 is now fully upon us. Someday this will be history. Right now it is a pervasive and sometimes frightening current event. But we know from history that it is a repeat of countless plagues that have visited humankind since the dawn of history. We, the people of planet Earth, who are living through this current plague of 2020 must do our best to learn everything that we can from this event and pass that knowledge and wisdom on to future generations. Each generation learns from past generations. This is our story, of our life, during our time. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us to record this history in our own way through the medium that is best suited for us at this time.
 
Joan Halifax (Roshi, PhD) in her book The Fruitful Darkness states that: "...stories are also protectors. Like our immune systems, they defend us and the people against attacks of debilitating alienation . My good friend Steven Foster says that people erect symbolic stories around themselves like houses. These stories are "circles of protection and purpose that bodily carry our spirits all the way to the gates of death." For stories and myths are the connective tissue between culture and nature, between self and other, between life and death that sew the worlds together in their telling. And in the protective and connective body of story the soul quickens. It comes alive."
 
The story of this plague in our time is important in so many ways. The telling of this story is both good for us in the now and good for future generations who will look back at this time with awe and wonder. Through the telling of this story we can begin to understand and appreciate the fears, anxieties, hopes, and aspirations that we are currently experiencing. We also can pass important and perhaps vital knowledge and wisdom on to those who follow in our footsteps.
 
I want to encourage everyone reading this to record your story. Utilize your own true nature and your own skills to express this human story through a variety of mediums. Leave the judgments aside and just tell the story through whatever creative and expressive form(s) that suits you best. The mediums of art (drawing, painting, sculpture...), dance, music, poetry, prose, photography, and journaling are all well suited for the telling and recording of this complex, emotional, and powerful time in which we live.
 
While you are doing this remember to stay home, stay safe, save lives. Namaste.

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