11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it.an
12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
Psalm 96
I own a house with my wife. We have a small backyard. I am not an avid gardener, but every spring I spend several hours replacing dead plants and spreading mulch. As my plants and trees begin to bud, I sit out on my back porch, drink coffee, and marvel at how God makes the flowers and trees grow and bloom. I try to spend ten to twenty minutes absorbing His creation. Afterward, I feel less depressed, less anxious, and more in tune with God.
Enjoying nature in this way lowers cortisol, a stress hormone, and also decreases heart rate. This puts you into a relaxed mode. Mild to moderate anxiety and depression are decreased through this ‘ecotherapy’. Of course, being in a forest or a park will make this technique work better, but most of us don’t live that close to a park or don’t have time to get there.
My challenge to you is to find a little bit of nature near you and go there daily, or as often as you can. Sit back or walk through it and enjoy the blessings and peace God gives through trees, grass, and flowers. It may take a while to center yourself so that you can listen to God through nature, but it is worth it.
Walking in nature or a park is best, but you can use this technique in your backyard or a small nature place in your apartment complex or think about how God blesses us with water while watching a water fountain.
Walking (see my blog, Walk Out Your Depression) in nature combines two of the best forms of God’s antidepressants people can find. I would like to prescribe this divine medicine to you to be taken once a day.
If you have questions about this therapy, please go to a place in nature and contact God.
Blessings
Tom
7 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;
8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.
9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?
10 In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
Job 12
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