Monday Writing

Nature-Our Mood Lifter

   After 2 weeks on lock down I was struggling with what some call "cabin fever."  In the mountains the snow season had reached far beyond it's typical February end.  With March nearing completion I had tired of the fog covered mornings followed by dreary afternoons.  My days had begun to feel like Ground Hog day. (If you don't get the reference...it's a movie from the 80's...:)) The same thing...over and over. But then, I saw them...shining faces looking up at me saying, "Hang in there!  Better days are to come!"  The tulips that had been dormant all winter were responding to their inner calendar.  They knew Spring was here! Suddenly the depression I felt creeping in lifted and feelings of happiness and hope appeared like a rainbow after a storm.  Nature has that potential; it can fight depression sparked by lack of interaction with others and too much computer screen time brought about by COVID-19.   
   Walking in the sunshine, hearing birds singing, and seeing all the beautiful scenes she has to show us can be medicine for our psyche.  Research shows this too.  Researchers at Stanford University found that "people who walked for 90 minutes in a natural area, as opposed to participants who walked in a high-traffic urban setting, showed decreased activity in a region of the brain associated with a key factor in depression." (Jordan) So get out of the house.  Concentrate on the beauty around you.  We live in one of the most beautiful natural places in the world.  Your mind will thank you.
  Nature can heal the mood altering results of large amounts of computer use as well.  Scientists even have a name for the depression that can come about from too much computer use..."nature deprivation."  Studies have shown that too much screen time can even make us less empathetic to others.  Set a schedule for computer use.  Make sure use does not negatively effect you.
   We do need to stay home now.  We do need to use our computers for school work and connecting with others. We do not need, however, to let these things take over our wellbeing.  You can experience nature in your own back yards.  Take a moment to sit in the sun.  Take a break from your computer and do your PE outside by walking or doing Coach Woods' videos in your backyard.  It will bring you the lift you may need.
   In these times of social distancing we need to focus on keeping physically and mentally healthy.  Let nature be your doctor and you counselor.  Stay healthy everybody!

Assignment:

1.  Go into nature...take a picture of the beauty you experience.  Text it to Mrs. Syfert. (Pictures will be shared here on this blog.)
2. In the comments section below in this post write a couple sentences using either Simile, Metaphor, or personification about the nature you experienced.
    Examples:

• Simile-The tulips were like a choir of angels singing nature's song.
• Metaphor-The tulips were a choir of angels singing nature's song.
• Personification-They smiled at me, reassuring me that spring, and the bright days that come with it, was just around the corner.

Stanford Research

University of Minnesota