Healthy Insights Podcast

In many episodes of our Take 5 – Mindful Moments in Nature series, we have ventured to far-off places and thrilling natural scenes. But there is value in nearby nature as well. So today, we’ll escape to the type of place that might be closer to home. After this episode, plan a few minutes in the outdoors and consider practicing a real-life mindful moment the next time you escape into nature. The best part is you can do it anywhere the great outdoors takes you – at the beach, on a hike, at a local park or in your own backyard.

In this episode, we journey to Niagara Falls and take in the impressive sounds of the falling water while focusing on cultivating gratitude. As we visualize ourselves on a boat venturing closer to the waterfall, take this mindful moment to relax and reflect on what you’re grateful for. This gratitude can come from any situation, good or bad.

In this episode, we will travel along the Colorado River, through one of the world’s most famous and beautiful natural settings – the Grand Canyon – while contemplating the health benefits of optimism. Many research studies have found that optimism is correlated with better physical well-being compared to pessimism. According to an article from Harvard Medical School [https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/optimism-and-your-health], optimism helps people cope with disease and recover from surgery. Even more impressive is the impact of a positive outlook on overall health and longevity. Research tells us that an optimistic outlook early in life can predict better health and a longer lifespan. So, the next time you’re in nature, wondering whether that picturesque lake or river is half full or half empty, look on the brighter side of things – it may be good for your health!

Join us on this episode, as we unwind at the Atlantic Ocean in Vero Beach, Florida. Visualize a peaceful beach with fine white sand and gently rolling waves, and savor a quiet moment to relax, reflect and rejuvenate.

On this episode of the Healthy Insights Podcast’s Take 5 – Mindful Moments in Nature we visit Acadia National Park in Maine. We’ll visualize this beautiful coastal forest with rocky beaches, green trees and tall granite peaks and feel the clean, cool air brush over our face. But before we start on our visualization journey, we’ll take a moment to recognize and learn about our stress response and how to use slow, deep breaths to engage the metaphorical brake.