God's Gift of Nature

A constant state of hypervigilance inevitably leads to hypervigilance fatigue. 

(Hypervigilance is when the brain continually scans for possible danger, even if there's no  threat. So hypervigilance fatigue is the exhaustion that comes from maintaining that constant state of alertness.)  

And God did not design the body to stay in this state. One of the top best things for refreshment is to get out in nature alone. Nature can't heal. But God can use it to remind a person that he cares. He has written quietness into his creation and can use it to restore the soul. 

Here's some benefits: 

*Nature usually has fewer unexpected noises, slower movements, predictable surroundings, and fewer crowds. Because of this, the amygdala receives fewer danger signals and the body can shift into parasympathetic nervous system mode, which is rest & digest.😌

*Nature requires 'soft attention.' 'Directed attention' happens every day in life and it's exhausting: cars, phones, noises, decisions, people watching you, conversations. 

*Nature uses 'soft fascination' where a person's attention rests on birds, moving leaves, flowing water, clouds, mountains, etc. The brain can rest while staying engaged. 

*Nature helps lower cortisol which means the muscles can relax, blood pressure can decrease, tension can melt away, and thoughts can slow down. 

When the body feels unsafe, the amygdala and brain constantly ask: 

- is there a threat?

-who's around me?

-what could happen?

The constant monitoring costs energy so the body spends an enormous amount of fuel. Because the nervous system activates the sympathetic (fight of flight) system: 

~ adrenaline rises

~ cortisol stays elevated

~ muscles stay tense

~ sleep becomes less restorative 

Get away from noise. Be alone with God in his creation whether that's the beach, mountains, forest, fields, etc. Remember that he is Jehovah Rapha - the God who heals. 💐❤️

These pictures are from when I hiked TianZhu mountain from East to West a few Saturdays ago. It took around 5 hours with minimal breaks. And if you run out of water, there's plenty of waterfalls to drink from.  Ahh, that water is purely refreshing. 😃

Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.