There are wonderful messages to be discovered in nature. It can be a short hike on a nature trail, a camping trip or visiting your local botanical garden. A lot of people find release of tension in natural surroundings.

It's easy to get wound tight about our daily cares until they get magnified beyond our power to process them in a calm manner. Nature can modify your view and afford you the sense that you are part of something larger. Worries get a little smaller when you simply stand and appreciate your natural surroundings.

I have not taken a full blown vacation from work in years. My preference is to take a lot of three or four day weekends. This takes away the stress of my job piling up and waiting on me so that I need a vacation again after I get caught up! Even an extra hour on a Friday afternoon is enough for me to feel rejuvenated. I call these mental health moments.

Do you remember what it was like as a child to play outside until dark? Do you remember picnics, laying on your back looking at the sky? Try different types of outdoor activities to find out which ones nourish you in body, mind and spirit. By focusing on small excursions into nature, you give your mind a break from normal routine.

You do not have to wait for a vacation to get away. If you build this into your weekly routine, you will find it invaluable for nourishing your spirit. Your outlook will improve, you will have more energy and ability to concentrate. Planning these small nature trips will give you something to look forward to and add a lightness to your being when you feel swamped by your obligations.