Spark Your Spirit. Soothe Your Soul.

There is a wealth of research that describes the restorative powers of nature to positively impact our physical, mental and spiritual health.  What’s more, new research shows that art, or any type of creative expression, has profound positive effects on brain health, immunity and the stress response. Creativity can connect you to more healthy aspects of life, stirring emotions like joy, passion, and inspiration, especially when outdoors observing the beauty of nature.

Yet, even though we know nature is profoundly good for us, most of us spend  our time  indoors, endlessly busy, and are sitting at a desk all day staring at screens.  So the big question is, how can you reconnect with nature, even for a just few fleeting moments each day?   With even the very smallest interactions outdoors, you can trust that nature will do what it’s meant to do: heal and restore you.  When you combine both nature and art, you’ve got a powerful tool for self-healing.

I believe photography as a creative outlet can be a form of meditation, especially when shooting in nature.  It’s a form of mindfulness and creativity that is accessible to everyone.  It can bring you to a place of stillness where time and space seem to stand still.  You can just get immersed in the details of nature’s beauty and perhaps the feel wonder and awe you did as a kid.

I encourage you to get your daily dose of “Vitamin N.”  Step away from your phone, your computer, your TV or any other screens and just take a walk outside.  A slow walk, not a workout.  When you slow down you can notice details and relish in the fascination of flower petals, designs in tree bark, or how the sun is reflecting through plants. This is mindfulness. This is self-care at its best.