Sometimes I think one’s body has a way of communicating its needs. On a recent morning, I woke up and felt the urge to meditate in my friend’s back yard. The yard has four garden beds with roses, tulips, green peppers, basil, cilantro, jalapeños, and a variety of tomatoes. The walkway is lined with thick and tall pine trees, which reminded me of Alice in Wonderland. I listened to Guided Morning Meditation for Inspiration & Positive Energy (Special Collaboration w/ Elaine Martin) on YouTube, and I realized the environment described in the guided meditation put my mind at ease. As the sun beamed  onto my skin, I felt the warmth shimmer into my core, almost as if it touched my soul. There was a moment in the guided meditation session where I felt my eyes release a few tears as I was instructed to let go of everything that does not serve me well. At the end of the mediation session, I felt at peace.

Upon my discussions with friends and family members, I’ve come to realize that environmental wellness is a huge component many people incorporate into one’s mental wellness. For instance, a lot of my friends are steering away from obtaining gym memberships and are using the environment to work out. Others kayak, attended outside yoga sessions, and run with their child in a stroller. As for myself, I’ve been inspired to learning gardening techniques with friends at community gardens as a therapeutic and mental getaway.

I hope this post encourages you to consciously utilize your environment more often. How do you use your environment in your wellness routine? Do you meditate in your backyard or incorporate the environment into your workouts? Please feel free to share any tips and upcoming wellness events in the comments section.