natural living
W
ant to feel
better in an
instant? Open
a window.
That’s the
simple
prescription from Alice Peck, author
of new book The Green Cure (Cico,
£12.99). ‘Try it right now,’ she says.
‘Stand up, walk over to the nearest
window and open it. Take a deep
breath. Look up into the sky or let
your gaze settle on something green
- a tree, a hedge, a flower bed, a potted
plant. Take another breath.’ Notice the
difference? ‘Chances are you slowed
your heart rate, drew in a little more
(probably cleaner) oxygen, which
improved your focus and gave your
back a bit of a stretch,’ says Peck.
‘You gathered your thoughts and, even
for the briefest of moments, felt part
of the world beyond yourself – mindful
and connected. And all of this took
less than a minute!’
You’ve probably heard about the
wellbeing benefits of spending time
outdoors in nature; how the natural
environment can soothe stress, reduce
blood pressure and strengthen immunity.