A Cabin in the Woods : Finding Your Happy Place
I just spent a long weekend with my husband in a lovely cabin in the woods next to the Shenandoah River.
The cabin was an A-frame that fronted directly on the river miles away from the closest town. There was a small dock with chairs facing the water and a hammock between two trees overlooking the water. A canoe was pulled up on the shore ready for use. We saw a kingfisher, water birds, and several herons enjoying the water. And the sunset, filled with various pinks was breathtaking.
The weather didn’t exactly cooperate with us (it actually snowed on one of the days!) so we didn’t get the full effect of being on the river. I very much wanted to take the canoe out and paddle around, but good sense won out and I just watched the water and the birds from the land.
I could feel my stress slowly slide away as the weekend progressed.
Sometimes it is just necessary to get away from my to-do list in order to recharge. I know we have all been there. As I’ve gotten older, I have realized how important this de-stressing is in order for me to be my best self for my family, my friends, my work, and for myself.
It is so important to find a place that gives you this.
We all have a different happy place. And maybe if you’re lucky you have found more than one; I know I have.
If you haven’t found yours yet, keep trying. It’s so worth it.
A happy place can be anywhere that as soon as you get there, you feel the stress from your life disappear. It brings on a feeling of lightness.
I know plenty of people who would say the beach does it for them. I do enjoy the beach and can certainly relax there. There is something about the sound of the waves on the beach and the warm sun on your skin. I do love the feel of the warm sand under my feet. But then there is all the sand in places you don’t want it, the salty water, and having to carry chairs and blankets that takes away from the experience for me. I still visit the beach and often come away relaxed, but not in the same way.
For me the woods, mountains, and nature give me the most peace. I have seen bumper stickers and shirts with the logo “the mountains are calling and I must go”. That’s how I feel.
I’ve written about our family’s enjoyment of camping and hiking in a previous posting, but this is not just something I enjoy doing. It is something I need to do.
These visits give me peace and allow me to return to my daily life feeling refreshed and calm.
I know we all can’t get away as frequently as we would like, so how do you bring some of that relaxation to your life when you are stuck at home?
I learned an excellent technique during my yoga training that I want to share:
· Find a quiet place to sit or lay down where you won’t be disturbed.
· Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths
· Begin to visualize your happy place in your mind’s eye. What does it look like to you? What colors do you see?
· Next, begin to hear the noises that you might hear. Do you hear the ocean or crickets or the wind?
· Look and listen.
· Begin to pay attention to the smell of your favorite place. Maybe it’s the smell of sea salt or cookies in the oven.
· Look, listen, and smell your favorite place.
· Next focus on what you might taste. Is it the tang of the salt air or the earthy taste of the woods?
· Look, listen, smell, and taste.
· Begin to feel the sensations on your skin from your happy place. Do you feel a breeze in your hair or the sun on your skin?
· Sit with the vision, sounds, smells, tastes, and sensations of your happy place.
· Lastly, allow the emotions you enjoy when you are in your very favorite place wash over your body. Allow your body to relax and a small smile to come to your lips.
· When you are ready, take a deep breath and gently open your eyes.
Give this a try and I can promise you, you may not feel as relaxed as when you get away, but you can bring the calm into your daily life (also works when you can’t sleep at night!).
We could all use some more of that.
I know I can, at least until I can pack my bags again and head for the trails.
