Courage through the Covid-19 Storm: Nix "Nature Deficit Disorder"

Tips for THRIVING

Tip #2-Go outside

Listen to this blog post: https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Through-the-Covid-19-Storm-Nix-Nature-Deficit-Disorder-ecgmqj OR https://open.spotify.com/episode/5n3y5oxSIBUjVcP1yw8UzU

Last year I was preparing to lead a retreat for high school girls. As I researched a bit to update my statistical numbers for "Lifting Up the Downcast Princess" I learned something new...Because teens spend so much time on screens and do not get outside enough, "nature deficit disorder" can be a cause of depression. Author Richard Louv, who coined this term, describes his pivotal book. "Last Child in the the Woods is the first book to bring together a new and growing body of research indicating that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development and for the physical and emotional health of children and adults."

Many research studies are showing the value of spending time outside in nature.  One study of almost 20,000 participants, published in "Scientific Reports" June 13, 2019, reports "good health or high well-being" were achieved with 120 minutes per week or more of spending time in natural environments. It did not seem to matter if this was longer or shorter time bouts outside- just going outside at least 120 minutes total per week.

God created an amazing world. Is it any surprise to us that embracing, experiencing, and enjoying it makes us feel better?  "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth...And God saw that everything he had made, and behold, it was very good." (Genesis 1;1, 31).

How can you and your loved ones "go outside"? Make a plan. Aim for at least 20 minutes every day. Perhaps 10-15 minutes in the morning and 10-15 minutes in the afternoon. You will reap positive benefits! Find a place outside with grass, trees, or water, and walk, run, jump, skip or sit. Especially during this time of social distancing, stay at home, shelter in place, or whatever it is labeled where you live, for the good physical and mental health of you and your family, I encourage you to get outside and find ways to soak up and enjoy God's creation in nature. Of course, stay 6 feet away from people who are not in your household.

                                         Ideas from the Murdy household last week:
I read my book sitting under a tree. My son read his book in the hammock hung between two trees.
I laid on our swing and gazed up at the blue sky and canopy of green trees overheard.
We meandered to the nearby pond and sat on a bench and listened to the fountain for a bit.
We took frequent brief "thankfulness" walks around our backyard.
We walked amongst the vines of a neighborhood blooming wisteria grove.
We walked through some wildflower fields, carefully keeping watch for the unhibernating snakes.
We drove-car windows rolled down and breezes blowing on our faces-along country roads lined with bluebonnets.

How can you:
Touch? (Walk barefoot in the grass or snow-if you live farther north.)
Smell? (Ah I so wish I could post the smell of the bluebonnets in Texas right now.)
Taste? (My neighbor put fresh lettuce from her garden on our porch for us to eat.)
Hear? (Is it my imagination, or are the birds really singing LOUDER?)
See? (A plethora of spring greens and vivid flower colors in Texas now. What colors do you see?)

"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber." (Psalm 121:1-3).

Please share ways you are getting outside to embrace, enjoy, experience nature.

Covid-19 Challenge: Set a timer for 60 minutes and when it rings, gather everyone in your household to take a one minute walk outside and around a tree or two, each person sharing something for which s/he is thankful now. REPEAT. 

(If you are alone, do the same, but text someone what you are thankful for when you come back inside.)

Wash your hands. Do NOT touch your face-especially when you are out of your home (like going to the grocery store). Try to stay 6 feet apart from those not living in your household.

UP NEXT TIME: Tip #3 Change Cognitive Distortions

COURAGE Through the Covid-19 Storm:Thankfulness

Tips for THRIVING

Listen to this blog post at https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Though-the-Covid-19-StormThankfulness-ecgl0o

As I have talked with people in this time of social distancing, I have been encouraged to write down some of the tips for thriving that I have learned through my professional career, my ongoing research, and my personal experiences.

Tip #1: Be THANKFUL

My Mom always declared, "Count your blessings!" Even when she was on her death bed, she looked at the Kleenex box noting, "Isn't that bear on the box so cute? I'm so thankful for that funny bear that  makes me smile."

On March 17th, my sister texted me, "Find 3 things to be thankful for today (mine are: sunshine, slower time with my family, a beautiful house to be "stuck" in)." 

A few days later my sister texted, "It's Jared's (son) birthday-1 month ago, I never would have thought he would be home for his birthday. A week and a 1/2 ago we had his birthday dinner (he was on spring break) because we were sure he would be back to college by now. Yesterday morning I thought it would be fun to spend the evening with him after I get home from work and today (unfortunately she got laid off from work because of stay in place orders) I get to spend the whole day with him-trying to keep it positive!" Wow- I was so impressed by my sister's thankfulness in spite of difficult circumstances.

I have been keeping a thankfulness/ "Happy Dance Journal" for a while. You can read about it here:http://karensuemurdy.blogspot.com/2018/10/strikes-curve-balls-and-happy-dancing.html

Each day I write my thankfulness/happy dance moment in my lovely soft leather journal made by https://www.murdycreative.co/!!!

Now each day, my sister and I have texted 3 things which we have been thankful for that day. Especially by evening, I can start to go down some negative bunny trails, but because I text 3 things I'm thankful for to my sister, I start to spend my day looking for the things for which I am thankful. 

When my neighbor and I were chatting (via text-social distancing-not sharing germs 😁), I was telling her how texting my 3 thankful things each day was helping me keep a better attitude, she also wanted to text our daily thankfulness. Now, besides my own thankfulness, I really look forward to the thankful texts from my sister and my neighbor.  

The apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonians "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

And now I encourage you also, give thanks in all circumstances! For what are you thankful today? Share with your family, friends and neighbors. I would love to hear, too. 

Right now I'm thankful that my doctor husband with asthma is working from home caring for his patients by telemedicine, my Senior at Concordia High School loves "seeing' his friends and teachers during online Zoom classes, the bluebonnets and wildflowers have burst forth in colorful bloom and the sky has been so brilliant cerulean blue, the temperatures are perfect for open windows with fresh spring breezes blowing into my home, and God promises "never to leave me nor forsake me" not even in Covid-19 craziness!

Covid-19 Challenge: Set a timer for 60 minutes and when it rings, gather everyone in your household to take a one minute walk outside and around a tree, each person sharing something for which they are thankful now. 

REPEAT. 

(If you are alone, do the same, but text someone what you are thankful for when you come back inside.)

PLEASE social distance for now 

  to protect the lives of first responders, health care workers, and the physically vulnerable among us.

 UP NEXT TIME: Tip #2 "Nix Nature Deficit Disorder"