Vitamin N: Mother Nature's Elixir for Body, Mind and Spirit!

Vitamin N: Mother Nature’s Elixir for Body, Mind and Spirit!

Science is just beginning to research the effects of a growing “Nature Deficit”, or insufficient time ‘being in’ the natural as opposed to man-made world.  While we eagerly embrace organic natural foods and products, we have not embraced nature experiences per se, except as a backdrop to other activities and we usually prefer to be indoors where we feel safe and comfortable.  This is increasing as our electronic inter-connectivity keeps us busy relating through our communication devices.   We are no longer intimately and sensually connected to the more than human world of nature.  

Recent neuroscience has shown this technological evolution is affecting the wiring of our brains, decreasing our attention span and affecting our decision making abilities and stress loads among other things.  A group of scientist who were studying this decided to go on a fast from their global interconnectivity by taking a 7 day float down a remote stretch of the Green River in the heart of Utah.  They reported a significant shift in their state of consciousness, experience of well-being and documented changes in brain functioning over time.  Based on this finding, they recommend a balance of activities, finding ways to include nature in our everyday life. To include a periodic fast from our machines and daily responsibilities periodically to experience the 3 day effect in nature.  Below are some interesting books on the healthy effects of nature for all levels of our being.  Google The 3 Day Effect. 

 List of Readings:    Ekhart Tolle, Stillness Speaks
                                 Nicholas Carr,  The Shallows: What the internet is doing to our brains.
                                 Richard Louv  Last Child in the Woods
                                 Richard Louv  The Nature Principle
                                 Bill Plotkin  Nature and the Human Soul
                                 Bill Plotkin:  Soulcraft: Crossing into the Mysteries of Nature &  Psyche
                                 Brian Swimme:  The Universe is a Green Dragon                            

 I have been prescribing nature for health and well being for 25 years.  I offer a fabulous one of a kind nature get-away The Earthwalk Retreat, near Fredericksburg, VA, for your annual or bi-annual personal retreat. Discover the soul of nature and the nature of the soul.   I also lead nature expeditions in Utah.  In either venue, I will teach you a new connection to Nature and a new capability to absorb Vitamin N where ever you are.  This will inspire you to naturally bring more nature time into your life and health regimen.  Programs for individuals and small groups.

This article was written by Darlene Rollins, retreat director and owner of The Earthwalk Retreat.
For more information on her programs & faery-land retreat, please contact her at 540-752-5540
email heaven@earthwalkways.com or go to her websites  http://earthwalkways.com   http://facebook.com/earthwalk.ways  http://meetup.com/The-Art-of-Soul-Whispering