Turn into an Animal; it’s Peaceful!
The power of the outdoors.
Do you ever look at someone and think “You’re an animal!”?
This phrase can usually mean two things:
“Wow, you’re crazy!” or “Wow, you’re disgusting!”
If you think about it, you can break down these thoughts into two more meanings:
You can say “Wow, you’re crazy!” in a “That’s so cool!” way.
Or in a “What the hell is wrong with you?” way.
Now when someone thinks, “Wow, you’re disgusting”…
well… I actually can’t think of a way for that to mean anything else ;)
I bring up this concept to remind you that whether or not you do something crazy or disgusting, you are still an animal.
In case you need a reminder…
Animals tend to live in the wild outdoors. Many years ago humans used to live outside too! (crazy right)
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That means we humans have the beautiful outdoors wrapped into our DNA. Our minds sense the fresh air, the trees, and the sun and release the happy, calming endorphins that make us feel at home.
Now zoom back into your everyday life. Imagine you are at home. Your living space likely has much of the same stuff the outdoors has.
We put plants in our homes to feel homier. We like little waterfalls that subconsciously remind us of our roots. We enjoy rocks, salt lamps, and paintings of the outdoors.
With that being said, is the place you call home actually your “real home”?
Not really. Your real home is the outdoors.
When you think about it, you can’t run from nature, even when you try.
Next time you’re stressed, take a second to sit in the outdoors. Tune in with your inner “Homo habilis” (look it up, I didn't know this term before writing this either).
You need the outdoors to be fully fulfilled. You need the outdoors to rejuvenate and to feel grounded.
Imagine what you would be like as an “animal”. Not a crazy, disgusting animal. Simply an animal. An animal without judgment, and full of curiosity, just looking to survive on Earth’s natural resources.
You will likely tune into a hidden part of your mind that isn’t nourished enough.
From here, it’s simple.
The more nourished your mind, the less impacted you are by stress.
Your tolerance increases.
As the title states, turning into your inner animal increases your tolerance to modern-day stress.
*This article has been imported from edition #6 of my “Mindfulness Monday” blog. View the original post, and others like it here.*
