Week of April 20th
Forest Bathing
Peaks
Strolling
I really enjoyed the linked video, although I was not really expecting to be as moved by it as I was. The guy in the video was really well-spoken, and although he was sort of soft-spoken and quiet, I could tell he had come a long way both in terms of overcoming mental illness and public speaking difficulty. I really admired how candid he was about the issues covered in the video, but he also wasn't just totally negative, he was putting out ideas and reminding the audience of the potential to improve our lives. I am an ambivert which means I need to balance my people time with being alone, but this quarantine has been pretty difficult for me. I really thrive off of connecting with my friends and people I love and just being out and about with others, so I have definitely been feeling pretty isolated and frustrated at the timing of all of this. On top of that, I am taking new medication which has really increased my mood swings, which to say the least is not helpful during this time. But, I have been getting myself to try new things, appreciate smaller things, and not take certain things for granted. I am now really happy to get a facetime call from my friends. I have started baking, sewing, painting, working out, doing yoga, and walking more. Just like my first photo suggests, I have been trying to do more "Forest bathing" with my mom which may sound silly, but I find that it actually works. Basically studies have shown that people who live around more trees are generally happier and more productive. For example, the kids usually do better in school. So forest bathing basically means not going out and walking to get exercise, but walking slowly and admiring lots of little things and feelings and smells. One thing I can be grateful for amidst all of this is that I have really felt healthier physically from being outside more and getting to workout more regularly.