“This land is your land, this land is my land, From California to the New York Island. From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters, This land was made for you and me.”
Woody Guthrie
One of the best practices for your well-being is getting outdoors. Not only is the exercise (walking, hiking, etc.) good for your physical condition, it releases chemicals in your brain that help make you feel good. Taking photos that are representative to the moment is an even further benefit.
For my personal well-being, Shinrin-Yoku is my go-to. “Shinrin-What,” you say? Shinrin-Yoku, a.k.a forest bathing, is the practice of spending time in the forest for greater health, a strengthened immune system, happiness and a sense of calm.
Being in nature gives me back my vitality and restores my joie de vivre. The many shades of green are a feast for my eyes, and the scent of pine trees is downright intoxicating. The forest is my happy place, and so pairing a walk in the woods with amateur photography is a win-win!
A current study has found that photo-taking heightens felt engagement and enjoyment which persists over time. I can speak to the elation of freezing a moment and looking back over it. I compiled some nature photos to look back on when I want to effect a positive change in my mood. They may be a means of greater peace of mind for you too. (Don’t ever underestimate the power of engaging with photographs – yours or someone else’s.)
Do you feel the need for refreshment and rejuvenation? Do you have a nature deficit in your life? If you find yourself currently alienated from nature, let me encourage you to absorb the potency of the natural world – through your senses and through the lens of a camera.
Take a silent walk through a woodland alone or with family or friends. Stop and marvel at the nature that surrounds you. Observe the wildlife. Then pull out that camera and capture the moment.
Photography allows you to express feelings through creative work rather than with speech. You don’t even have to own fancy gear to reap the benefits. That phone you carry in your pocket will do just fine. Allow yourself to be captivated, make like a shutterbug, and remember to leave no trace!
Art & Wellness Challenge
Get outdoors with your camera and take serious photographs, giving it your total concentration. Communicate to me how you are feeling by sharing a photo via email at chris@chrissingleheart.com or via message on Facebook at facebook.com/chrissingleheart. Tell me what feelings were evoked while you took this picture.
The Fine Print
Participation in this and any Art and Wellness Challenge is on a voluntary basis and at your own risk.
Resources
Learn about Therapeutic Photography techniques. These are practices done where photo-taking, viewing, sharing, or discussing can help increase people’s own self-insight and awareness, improve their relationships with family and others, and lead to desired changes in their lives.
Read more about how image-making can help with mental health issues.