Carla Gericke

I NH! One of the best things about living in the Free State is being able to immerse yourself in pristine Nature at a moment’s notice.

“Forest bathing,” a term coined in Japan in the 80s, has many benefits:

* boosts your immune system
* lowers blood pressure
* helps with depression
* reduces cortisol & adrenaline (stress hormones)
* turns down fight-or-flight responses.

For me, it is a time to be alone with my thoughts (no earphones) while also trying to be present in the now, and sometimes, to practice patience (see photo).

I recently rediscovered the meaning of the word “saunter,” which stems from “a la sainte terre” referring to pilgrims who walked to the Holy Land. Synonyms include “rove” and “wander”.

I like these more than “hike,” which sounds so assertive and purpose-driven, which, of course, has its place, but not on a misty, drizzly morning of woe.

Yes, I get mopey too.

Everyone does.

But I have learned to arrest that feeling before it takes significant hold.

The moment I recognize The Blues setting in, I know it behooves me to Get Outside!

We don’t want to admit that improving our physical and emotional state isn’t nearly as complicated as we’d like to make it.

In fact, it’s so simple, we often refuse to do it, but Ouma was right: “Go play outside!”

Breathe the pure air. Listen to the pine-dampened forest sounds, the birds’ calls, the squirrels’ chatter, the babbling brook. Notice the hawk soaring overhead. Spot the most miniature of mushrooms fighting to rise to meet the sky. Raise your face to the sun, and say, I am here to learn about life, to learn about love, to discover how to love it all, which starts with learning to love myself, flaws and all.

Are YOU taking care of YOU?