This weekend my beautiful partner and I are heading up the coast, for some R & R. We’ve booked accommodation in a scheduled and nature rich area.
We are made to be outside, in nature, sure it had its downsides back in the day when everything was trying to kill you, but we have come pretty far since then!
Spending time in nature can help relieve stress and anxiety, improve your mood, and boost feelings of happiness and well being. And that’s exactly what I plan on doing this weekend.
If you are interested in what to do when heading out of your normal environment to recharge, then here is a list of what i’ll be doing this week, in no particular order:
Barefoot walking.
Although you’ve heard me talk about going for walks outside barefoot I usually don’t spend enough time on actual grass and dirt.
Being barefoot in nature has been shown to relax blood vessels, increase circulation, and improve mood, so kick off your shoes more often.
In fact, studies by Stanford university have shown that walking in nature can significantly improve mood and thinking capacity, so head to the bush before you burn out.
Cold Exposure
I have a cold shower each night, however the accommodation I’ve purposely booked has a pool outside the villa so I’ll be taking full advantage of that with the beautiful inclusion of the chilli winter air.
Think I’m nutrs?
Go ahead and listen to the latest Tim Ferris podcast with Hugh Jackman. He has cold showers every morning and religiously did ice baths to prepare his body for Wolverine!
Low Use Of Technology.
A big piece of the R&R puzzle this weekend and the main reason why after 100 straight days of daily email, there will be a missing day!
Every notification you see and hear, every text message you receive, and any random website that you unconsciously navigate to takes energy from you.
You have so many other important uses for that energy that you can direct toward yourself!
A sh*t load of reading and writing.
If you read my email a while ago on getting creative then you’ll know all you need is a pen and some paper and ZERO distractions, and that’s what this weekend is all about!
In regards to reading. I usually hit about 20 pages a day. This weekend I’ll intent on finishing 1 book 😉
Movement, movement and more movement.
Yoga, stretching, long walks/runs some horse riding and kayaking – very different, but loads of fun.
Unpredictability is essential for the human spirit.
One more thing I wanted to add.
Recharging and resetting your intentions is super important both to your personal and professional life.
Professionally, if you manage people or own a business this too is a great way to get your group of managers/leaders together.
Some of the most well thought out business ideas and strategies have come when the body and mind are recharged and at peace – not going a million miles an hour.