Parks: earth transition
Have you ever noticed yourself becoming less distracted, with a brightened mood, as your mind calms, and your breathing deepens and relaxes as you spend time with nature? A recent study shows positive affect, restoration, connectedness and mindfulness increase during a 2.5 hour forest tour. Visitors experienced beneficial mental effects such as stress reduction in addition to physical exercise. Take time today to pause and commune with nature, we have observed these positive effects after only 15-20 minutes in nature. . By re-wilding to source we are truly able to strip away the stressors that cause much of our dis-ease and keep us in separation from divine. What do you do to reduce stress?
We are in the last days of the transition around the Summer solstice as ruled by the Earth element. We are moving from Spring ruled by wood into Summer ruled by fire. These 18 transitional days can manifest as worry when the Earth element is out of balance. One of the most predictable and simple ways to balance during these transitional times is to spend 15-20 minutes in nature unplugged from technology in a walk through the woods in a forest or other green space such as an arboretum or track of woods, forest, path, or river walk.
Our Element Wisdom Earth deck cards would suggest:
Touch the Earth or It’s okay, really
After your time with nature, notice how you feel. Imprint the change with 3-5 deep and present breaths, gratitude and a positive affirmation.
Make plans for enJOYing Summer by choosing a shorter road trip to a state park or a longer trip to a national park. Next time you take a 15-20 minute hike imagine the affect times 10 on you and your beloveds after a 2.5 hour or more hike. Perhaps the upcoming Fourth of July weekend can afford you time to visit a national treasure such as one of our favorite state or national parks.
Visiting the Natchez Trace, spanning 3 states from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, is like taking a step back in time to when settlers made this journey on trails once carved out by wild bison. Today 60 miles of the once 450 mile foot trails still stand and are up kept by the national parks system. Along the Natchez Trace you can learn about the Choctaw history, visiting the place where the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit was signed. Natchez Trace is easily accessible from many cities including Kosciusko, Ms., Tupelo, Ms., and Tuscumbia, Al.
Cheaha State Park located in Delta, Alabama where you can rent a woodsy cabin or stay in their lodge. As the highest point in Alabama you can enjoy some natural air conditioning while the temperatures are rising as we enter Summer. Bring your children to enjoy fishing, camping, or even lunch in the bistro. If your furry family members tag along they might enjoy a visit to the dog park on site.
Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee is the only park in the national park system to offer free admittance for day use. While in the park enjoy one of these kid friendly hikes and check out some waterfalls.
If you are ready to venture out further to other national parks check out a $80 US Park Pass. Each Park Pass entitles 4 adults and unlimited children 15 and under to admission to the park. For information on discounted passes and free tickets for 4th graders nation wide click here. It’s hard to choose a favorite, of course, but my top picks for National Parks are Zion, Arches and Bryce Canyon.
Before heading out on your visit to any of these parks, visit the links below for up-to-date information on current park conditions and when in doubt you can always call. And don’t forget to pack your Element Wisdom Deck of Earth cards to stay inspired and healthy on your vacay or day trip!
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Buy Element Wisdom Earth Deck here
