Southeast Alaska, where I live, is a rainforest. Winters here can be quite dark - some would say dreary, even - and the shoulder seasons of autumn and spring are often wet and gray. Substance abuse in the state of Alaska is among the highest in the nation, and many are affected with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Vitamin D levels are low for most everyone here. (Thank the Lord for Alaska Airlines, who now offers a remedy for that problem in the form of flights to sunny, warm places like Hawaii and Mexico!) Anyway, the climate here presents a real challenge. So when the sun does show itself, it's important to head outdoors, if at all possible. But today, I almost missed the forest for the keys.
I am tremendously enjoying setting up this blog, doing research, writing, etc. Today I sat down with my laptop and began scoping out information about health and wellness. The clouds parted and the sun was finally high enough to stream in my kitchen window (hasn't done that since November), and yet I kept typing. And then it hit me: I gotta get outside. Like, now.
Yielding to the sun's siren song, I was lured, happily, outside. We live in such a beautiful area and on days like this there is no place I'd rather be. Walking through the woods behind our house, I beheld the sun weaving its fingers through the Sitka spruce and western hemlock, bathing the forest in that filtered sunlight that almost makes you want to cry. I walked on and came to a thawing stream. I just stopped and listened to it. I mean, REALLY listened. No other sound entered my ears... not cars, not planes, nor any machinery. It was absolute purity and beauty. Walking further, I traveled a path next to a still-frozen pond, and smiled as I saw the work that the beavers have done on the surrounding trees this winter. From there I made my way to the beach, where the ocean meets the wetlands and marveled that I live in such an amazing place. I stuffed my pockets with rocks and seashells for a science experiment I've been wanting to do with my kids. I picked some dead though starkly beautiful plants for a winter bouquet for my dining room table. Sweet, tender green shoots pushed up through the snow. The eagles sang. I thought about my family and how much I love them. I breathed deeply and filled my lungs and heart with fresh air, and filled my soul with blessing upon blessing.
Heart, soul, mind, and strength. Each were exercised on that glorious walk.
And to think I almost missed all that to sit at a computer and type.
Today's children, we're told, suffer from nature deficit disorder. You can read more about this new term in a fascinating article here. Even though they may be physically active in organized sports, they're missing that time to just "be" outside. Unscripted, to just make things up as they go along. To think and interact with nature. Or maybe they're inside, plugged in to electronic devices (like I was). Or they're on their way to play practice or chess club or music lessons. Obviously, all those things are wonderful and important; we just don't want to crowd out time for them to be outside.
Time spent outdoors is also known to help Alzheimer's patients, according to this article I read. Young and old and everyone in between can benefit from time spent in nature. It doesn't have to be wilderness or a hard core experience. Just being out where we can observe the sky, hear the birds, see trees and grass and flowers... these will go a long way to benefit us.
Exercising in fresh air does us doubly good: yes, we get the physical conditioning, our lungs fill with that good air and then our heart pumps that oxygenated blood around to our whole body. But we also have more energy, think clearer, feel happier and sleep better at night.
Tomorrow's forecast calls for a high likelihood of precipitation. Even if the sun hides its face again for a spell, I can still gain the benefits of exercising outdoors. I'll just need to dress for the weather.
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