Nature's Therapy: The Healing Walk

(hissing sound) (tranquil music) Headspace Studio. (tranquil music) Hi, friends. It's Rosie here. Welcome to Radio Headspace and to Tuesday. So recently, I was on my morning walk and saw my next door neighbor picking roses from her garden. She was in it, just completely immersed in her experience. She sat on the grass, carefully choosing the most expressive roses and pruning her plants. I greeted her and we both smiled as she carefully placed the dying leaves in a basket. "Out with the old and in with the new," she said. I laughed. That's what I'm talking about. I continued my walk and thought if only things in our lives were that simple. In nature, when something is ready to go back into the ground, generally you can see it. Colors begin to dull, leaves begin to wilt turning yellow or brown, and eventually fall off. Have you ever considered how nature's cycles reflect your life's rhythms? Nature has always been my greatest teacher, and today we're going to explore the profound connection between our inner cycles and the world outside. With warmer weather and longer days on the horizon, it's time to put a little spring into your step and head outside for a rejuvenating stroll in nature. We'll discover how the simple act of walking in nature can positively affect your mind, body, and soul. For me, walking is more than a physical activity. It's an adventure, an exploration of the world around you. There's something uniquely refreshing about immersing oneself in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature that simply cannot be replaced by indoor exercise. As we transition from winter to spring, I find solace in the idea that our lives are intertwined with the natural world. The warmth of the sun on your skin, the sound of bird song in the air and the vibrant colors of blooming flowers are all reminders of the beauty surrounding us. When I was little, my abuelita used to grow roses and pots right outside of our apartment. Watching her tend to her garden in the springtime was a real treat. We would walk around the block, perusing our neighbor's plants and flowers to get ideas, she said in Spanish. There was a bit of a flower competition within the neighborhood as the tias and abuelas would spend the day caretaking their families and tending to their makeshift gardens. It was a great lesson in admiration and competitiveness. As we walked along the concrete sidewalks, she pointed out the different herbs and plants she used to make tinctures. "Nature will always heal you," she said. The best part is the journey from rose to rose, plant to plant and tree to tree. I remember always wanting to rush and hurry and pull her arm to get to the next place. She took her time observing, examining every piece of nature mindfully. I read a quote once that said, "Hurried forgets, and slowness remembers." And it's true. I find myself...