The Natural Antidote to City Stress

This is the official "Earth Week" with April 23, 2023 being Earth Day. In addition to the multitude of reasons to be mindful of how to manage Global Climate concerns, there are very personal reasons to become better connected with Mother Earth. Over the past decade, an abundance of research demonstrates the detriment of city-dwelling to brain wellness and performance. The "rat race" goes beyond the demands of a fast-paced 9-5 corporate job that includes an arduous commute as it also includes a lifestyle of traffic, concrete, tall buildings, noise, and heavily populated restaurants, buildings, and walking areas. In sum, the impact on the brain is elevated cortisol for prolonged periods of time. Elevated cortisol for prolonged periods of time does the following:

• Causes cellular wear-n-tear on the brain
• Decreases the body's immune system
• Increase anxiety & depression tendencies
• Maintains a feeling of overwhelm
• Increases risk of injury and illness
• Decreases the ability to sleep well
• Causes digestive issues
• Holds on to extra body fat, particularly in the midsection
• Increases irritability
• Increases propensity for error in our work
• Decreases flexibility and spontaneity
• Lowers physical energy, including sex drive

There is nothing really new about the power of nature as medicine. Many cultures have been using nature for healing, balancing, and restoring physical and mental wellness for centuries. Sadly, as with many aspects of healthcare as science produces some wonderful and also some questionable interventions, we have moved away from the simplest forms. The first response to pain (emotionally or physically) is too often a "pill" of some sort. I am not at all opposed to the amazing opportunities that modern medicine affords. There are certainly times when medicine is so very important for psychiatric and physical illnesses. Note, however, that medicines are never THE single solution. Even when they are needed, they are part of a puzzle approach to really work. Pieces of the puzzle include self-care areas of nutrition, movement, restoration and mindset practices...which are indeed the four pillars of strategies in my Brain & Body Optimization Coaching.

My hope is to put the fundamental elements of health management into your hands. I want to give you Healthy Control over how you care for your greatest assets: brain & body. Introducing Ecotherapy.

"Ecotherapy", spending time in nature for therapeutic self-care that significantly improves cogntive functioning and mood is easy to implement. For starters, it's free and you don't need an appointment!

Again, the research that proves what people have known for centuries is ever-present today. Sharing this one simply to give you greater context and a "prescription":

https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-health

Now here's the Brain & Body Optimization twist on maximizing the benefits of nature for personal wellness and growth: adventures in nature. Why go beyond the walk in the park? Well, because we know that challenges of all kinds but especially ones that use our entire being physically force us to expand our thinking, develop new levels of confidence, and stimulate growth. When we do them with others, we deepen trust and connection. Remember the word "grit" that was so overused a bunch of years back? Yes...we grow grit otherwise known as resilience. Independent resilience coupled with enhanced collaboration with others forms new neuropathways in the brain yielding a remarkable long-lasting, widely applicable confidence with problem-solving and an ability to communicate with greater ease. Adventures in nature allow for the multitude of brain benefits of nature with the challenges of activities in a natural environment (with others) to give way to the most profound ecotherapy experience.

In my role as Clinical Consultant with Adventure Recovery (AR), a company that I have been connected to for a decade in one way or another, the Executive Director, Josh Flaherty, LCSW and I have realized the value of taking he and Tim Walsh have done so exceptionally well around the Country with teens and young adults struggling with addiction and mental health into the mainstream arena to combat city stress. The AR model takes people into adventures in nature and uses the experiences to help them "connect the dots" with personal development and how they manage challenges in all parts of life. This new program is for adults wanting to prevent or remediate City Stress. Starting in the Big Apple, weekly small groups will discover the power of adventure in nature using the Hudson River, Central Park, and a few smaller parks in Manhattan. These adventures are led by an AR-trained Guide who takes the participants to the next level of therapeutic impact through a wrap-up discussion that helps solidify that "grit" along with a deeper connection with self and others mentioned above.

In addition to the weekly adventures, the program includes a monthly online Brain and Body Optimization Coaching seminar with me! Stay tuned for details if you live in NYC.

While our program does have a fee, as mentioned earlier Ecotherapy is freely available. Investment only requires your effort and time. Mother Nature loves you.

www.avadiamondmentalfitness.com

www.adventurerecovery.com