I am often asked to speak to various groups and organizations on wellness, ancient healing approaches and on self-care techniques. During the presentation, I will pause to ask those in attendance how they find their centeredness or balance. Do you know the audience’s number one response? Invariably, their response is “being out in nature.”
It’s my favorite place as well! Being in nature helps release me from the day’s “busy-ness” and provides an inner state of calmness. And while you can take your kids to the indoor rock climbing walls, water parks or playgrounds, some of the most challenging and exciting playgrounds are right next to you in America’s National Parks!
Acadia National Park
As a child growing up, my family loved to vacation in Acadia National Park. Spending a week in the great outdoors with amazing scenery including blue oceans, rocky shorelines, large pine trees and endless opportunities to hike, bike, swim and more was every child’s (and honestly adult’s) dream. One day spent in the park helped each of us physically, mentally and spiritually. It’s benefits included the good-kind-of exhaustion, the feeling of restored balance and a broadened perspective on life overall.
Redwood National Park
In the United States, there are 58 National Parks. Each one unique with its particular awe-inspiring views and incredible history. The National Park Service provides a comprehensive map to locate the National Park closest to you. You can also make plans to visit one of them during your vacation this year. The choices are both endless and diverse. Here is just a few examples to explore…
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- Canyonlands National Park
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- Everglades National Park
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- Yellowstone National Park
And during the month of April, many are joining together to celebrate “Keep America Beautiful Month.” The Keep America Beautiful organization offers the following ways that we can participate in cleaning up our local communities and our state and national parks.
- Participate in the Great American Cleanup with more than 20,000 communities participating across the country;
- Organize an event in your neighborhood; #cleanYOURblock
- Explore National Planting Day, a fall initiative of the Great American Cleanup; and
- Consider donating to the National Park Service or check out all of their upcoming initiatives and major campaigns!
Your efforts not only help restore our environment but by being out in nature, you know you are helping yourself too! Enjoy! I would love to hear where you went and what events you participated in for Keep America Beautiful Month.