By Mary Ircink, parish nurse
“Let us go off by ourselves to some place where we will be alone and you can rest a while.” Mark 6:31
UW Health psychologist, Dr. Shilagh Mirgain says, “Enjoying time in nature is critical to your mental, physical and emotional well-being.”
According to Dr. Mirgain there are 3 reasons all age groups, need to spend more time in nature:
- Many of us have “Nature Deficit Disorder”
- Being outdoors benefits our well-being
- We can find inspiration, creativity and meaning in nature
As your parish nurse, I would also add that being in nature is critical to your “spiritual health” as well. It is an important part of experiencing miracles in the world God has created for us. Looking at flowers and trees, birds and bees, walking in mountains or forests, listening to water either falling or crashing or looking like a mirror, can be meditative and humbling. Nature can reconnect us to God and calm our spirit.
Here is a web link to Dr. Mirgain’s full article and resource book that explains “Nature Deficit Disorder”:
http://www.uwhealth.org/news/getting-out-in-nature-is-good-for-you/46130
Hoping you and your family are spending time in nature this summer!