1. Hello! 2. how to optimize your wellbeing 3. something to listen to 4. what is biophilic design 5. what's next? 6. questions?
Hello Reader
This week, I'm introducing the second principle of my ROOTS system: 'O' for Optimize Wellbeing via Nature Connection.
What does it mean to "Optimize Wellbeing via Nature Connection?"
This principle is about intentionally integrating nature into your personal life and professional settings to enhance your overall health and happiness. It acknowledges that humans have an innate biological and genetic connection with nature, known as the biophilia hypothesis, which includes an emotional dimension. By deliberately fostering this connection, we can profoundly benefit our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Science consistently demonstrates the wide-ranging benefits of engaging with nature, including:
alleviating negative emotions like tension, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion, while increasing positive emotional states such as vigor and happiness.
improved cognitive performance, attention, and creativity, and, help to prevent mental fatigue and promote clearer thinking.
it encourages mindfulness, helping individuals process emotions and find peace amidst grief or distress.
Optimizing your wellbeing through nature connection is a powerful step in navigating life transitions with greater clarity, confidence, and resilience. It's about remembering that you are part of nature, not separate from it, and allowing its wisdom to guide your journey towards feeling fully rooted and fully alive.
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"And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul."
- John Muir
here are two nature-led strategies to optimize your wellbeing
Integrate Biophilic Design Principles: Incorporate natural elements and patterns into your living and working spaces. This can include maximizing natural light, using natural materials like wood and stone, and adding plants.
Embrace A Simple Daily Connection: Even small, consistent efforts can make a big difference. Take a daily walk in a nearby green space, tend to a garden or a single plant on your windowsill, or simply spend 10 minutes in quiet reflection as the day ends (a “sunset ritual”). Did you try out last week’s Sit Spot practice? Let me know if you did - I’d love to hear how it was for you.
something to listen to
Earth.fm is a free streaming service offering 1000+ nature sounds, guided meditations, and natural soundscapes. Launched in 2022, this non-profit is a 1% for the Planet Environmental Partner. Explore their global recordings, themed playlists, and the “Wind Is the Original Radio” podcast. The link I’ve included is their world sound map.
A word of warning - don’t blame me if you go down a rabbit hole of exploring the soundscapes for hours. It’s hard to just choose one!
what is biophilic design?
Biophilic design brings elements of nature into our built environments—like homes and workplaces—to nurture the deep, instinctive bond humans share with the natural world. This approach often involves increasing access to natural light and fresh air, incorporating organic materials such as wood and stone, and weaving greenery into indoor spaces.
It matters because it taps into our inherent connection to nature—an essential factor for our physical health, emotional well-being, and overall performance. Research consistently shows that biophilic environments can help reduce stress and anxiety, boost mood and mental clarity, spark creativity, and even enhance productivity.
Have a look around your home, or workplace. Consider how bringing in views, materials, natural light, scents, textures, colors, space, zones, and harmony which echo nature and nature’s design create beautiful spaces that you WANT to be in.
Join me on August 7th for an intimate and transformative webinar where I'll reveal how nature can be your guide through life transitions.
RSVP HERE for my 30-minute webinar ‘Nature as your Ally’, August 7th. I'll share a bit about how nature’s wisdom fuels resilience, clarity, and confidence. If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I move forward when everything around me changes?” this is your answer. This will be a 30-minute introduction at noon PDT, with time for Q & A.
I'm offering a 6-week program to help post-menopausal women rewrite the story they've been told about this life stage. Menopause isn't an ending—it's your power awakening! My EMERGE program offers nature-led strategies to support you in owning your power and confidently create the life and legacy you want
questions?
If you have any questions about anything in this week's newsletter and want to book a 15-minute call, click below.
I hope this newsletter offers you another perspective, peaks your curiosity, and, most importantly, reminds you that you are not alone on this life path.
With deep roots and wide-open branches,
Maria
Maria Verdicchio | Infinite Roots Nature-led strategies to live well hello@infiniteroots.ca
