Being outside and in nature helps our bodies and minds be happier and healthier! It gets even better when we slow down and make time to enjoy, play, or be creative. It's definitely something I've experienced in my art practice, when I'm out walking, journaling, or painting outside. But artist or no, creativity + nature is a great formula for wellness!

As humans, especially in more urban settings, spend more time indoors and more time with screens, we get more distanced from nature. But humans evolved to be outside, surrounded by nature. Studies show that being outside with trees or water views for as little as 15 minutes can improve overall wellness and improve mood and deep thinking. Forest Therapy (aka shinrin yoku) research in Japan showed that spending time surrounded by trees, sky, and water could reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, reduce the resting heart rate, and lower blood pressure. The benefits of spending time this way for 2 hours can last for up to 30 days! Even better if you don't have to wait that long...