Day 6: #FlexiFriday
3 Reasons to Take Your Practice Outside:
Be More Present
We spend so much time staring into the blue-light of our cell phones, tablets, and computer screens. Take just 15 minutes to awaken your senses by surrounding yourself with nature. The benefits of being more present in life with no distractions could be a sperate post of its own. When you step outside of the walls that encase us, you awaken your senses activating parts of the brain that make you more present. Researchers at the University of Southern California found that looking at beautiful scenery releases endorphins, that’s the good stuff aka the pleasure principle.
Stress Relief
Spending time outside reduces the levels of stress hormone cortisol (also the pouch increaser). Lower levels of stress will help you to be more present, allowing for a deeper practice with a relaxed state of mine.
Breathe in Life & Energy
If you’ve ever taken yoga, you’ve noticed that the practice is heavily influenced by your breath, synchronizing breathe to movement. There is so much natural energy to be soaked up from nature. Fresh air is full of oxygen, which is essential for our health, keeping our immune system strong.
“Nature is fuel for the soul,” this was said by lead author and a professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, Richard Ryan. Why reach for coffee when we feel depleted when research suggests that connecting with nature energizes the body.