To start off making the point about this concept, I have included the following picture I took while running through a park/mountain trail:
The message I want to send here is that you have much ability to adjust your mental environment. Searching on Google Earth to find a local running/hiking trail could be the key method of ecotherapy you need to get back to an active/creative mind.
When you run in a place like that in the morning, the benefits are substantial. However, as you notice, there are very few people that make use of these resources. In some cities with 50000 people, you might see 10 people during your time running on a local park trail.
Some of the benefits:
- time in nature
- time away from technology and stress
- heart strengthening
- it leaves your mind free to think, and in fact motivated to think
- you see people along the way
- the scenery keeps changing as you keep running/jogging
There is a quote that says you have everything you need right where you are. This is also true with respect to natural resources. There is some area local to you where you can head to in the morning to clear your thoughts.
In the book Ecotherapy, which I reviewed here a while back, and discussed further here, Elizabeth R. Messer Diehl had these points to make in her essay entitled “Gardens That Heal”:
” The plants themselves offer a wide range of physiological and psychic benefits. Exposure to plants, mostly likely in tandem with other factors, stimulates cognitive and physical functioning, improves disposition, alleviates depression and loneliness, increases self-esteem, and helps disease recovery.”
“It has also been demonstrated that certain scents[from flowers and plants] stimulate bodily organs to release neurochemicals that help eliminate pain, induce sleep, and create a sense of well-being.”
As is clearly noticeable from these descriptions, the experience has value that is beyond our ability to recreate in a non-natural setting.
I took video of my view while running but it is somewhat choppy. If you are interested in having me add it to the end of this post, let me know in a comment. Here are more pictures I took while on the trail:
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Armen, the trail looks beautiful! I’d love it if there is such a trail near my house which I can run along. Unfortunately it’s pretty much a concrete jungle here, so I make do by running around the neighborhood. It’s still good though – esp since I run in the early morning where it’s peaceful with little disturbances
The most amazing thing is witnessing the city come to life + the sunrise as I jog through the morning.
Celes: Okay, that makes sense, and sure is a great way to make use of neighborhood area. I like running through streets as well, because then you can pass other people and see activity. Running early like you do is even more enjoyable for the reasons you point out. As long as we make the best of our local environment, we end up in the environment we desire.
Getting out in nature is a great way to escape from manmade things…. unfortunately, for those like Celes, living in a metropolis, that can be hard but perhaps there are parks or something?
I used to live in Los Angeles, one mega-metropolis but there was always someplace to escape to: the beach, the hills, SANTA BARBARA
A few hours “out” and I always came back charged and ready for life!
Armen, I, as always, enjoyed your post and would like to see the video.
On a sidenote… Armen, where are you regarding Feng Shui? Valid concept or more new age hocus pocus?
Athena: That sure is true. It can be hard for some but you are also right about parks. Places of escape are what they could be called.
Thanks for that, and I have added one video link to the end of the article.
As far as Feng Shui, I would say that things like having a plant on your desk are quite beneficial, and rearranging furniture could also add some interesting feel to a room that lost its excitement. I don’t have much input about the validity of strict Feng Shui rules, but it is better to be pro-active about organization than not.