Though we tend to think of our personal health programs as ways to build muscle, agility and other physical characteristics, it’s important to remember that total wellness has an emotional element as well.  That’s where environment comes in: a good example is the gym.  A gym or fitness center has all of the tools to keep the body sharp, but it’s not the best, most relaxing environment for other kinds of wellness activities.  Ironically, places where you can find the best support for emotional wellness are often those places that are most untouched by humans.  We sometimes call it “green space” or “nature areas”.
It’s easier to find green spaces out in the country, but urban places have them, too.  Parks and arboretums can be great places to relax and enjoy nature.  But there are also a whole bunch of other areas tucked into an urban setting that can provide a more natural environment.
To find greenery and unlock the potential of nature for wellness, here are some general tips.

Think outside the box
Look for any area around your work place that isn’t paved, chained off or otherwise “improved”, and you’ve found a spot that might be a place to take a break.  Lots of times, the way a business area is laid out conditions people to avoid anything that is “not part of the program”, but if you’re looking for nature, that’s exactly what you do want.  Medians, hills, yards, and other unlikely areas can be a haven from concrete, wire and glass.

Don’t feel pressure

There’s a peculiar thing about some very driven people: they feel the need to constantly be “doing something”.  Although these people are often great at power workouts, they can sometimes have a blind spot when it comes to nature.  If this is you, you need to change the way you think about being outdoors.  It’s not just a place to get through so you can get somewhere else.  It’s a place where you can clear your head.  It’s a place to contemplate the things you never have time to think about.  Bringing this element into your life can have a huge positive effect on your emotional well being.

Get the tools you need

How many of you have heard a co-worker talk about what he or she would do if they had such and such a thing: kayaking, running, fishing, biking, and all other outside activities do require some basic items, like shoes, clothes, and equipment.  But don’t let that stand in your way.  Don’t let that money be for other things.  Make an investment in your “outdoor life” – and you’ll be better off in the long run.

The above are just some of the ways that we can lead ourselves toward a more balanced life cycle.  Blending some outdoor time with the office schedule is a very important thing, and the sooner overworked commuters recognize this, the sooner they can look for some effective solutions, right in their own back yards (or the back yard of their office buildings).  Bringing diversity to office life is the way of the future, and just because not everybody has discovered it yet, doesn’t mean it’s not one of the best things you can do for yourself during the day.  So take time to evaluate and plan your own “wellness time” that involves more than just the gym!