The benefits of taking time out to plan your day and spend more time in Nature

Being closer to Nature is the perfect way to wind down, clear the mind, connect with the natural healing frequencies of Mother Earth and enjoy the benefits of a daily boost of fresh air and sunlight. In the course of our busy lives it's easy to forget to allocate even a small amount of time to go outside or make sure we enjoy the simple things that keep our mind, body and soul healthy and in good condition.

As we step into February with the worst of the short Winter days behind us and the buds already starting to appear on our trees, now is a good time to think about spending more time in Nature as we approach the warmer Spring months ahead. It's still very cold which means it's easy to make excuses to stay indoors. That's why allocating a small amount of time every day for planning is so important.

A plan for the day

One of the key benefits of daily planning is the peace of mind it brings when you know what to do, what to expect as best as possible and what you need to prepare for. There's nothing worse than missing appointments or deadlines, or indeed allowing the days to slip by without thinking about how we are looking after ourselves and the simple things we might be missing out on that bring us the most pleasure.

A breath of fresh air

While going for a brisk walk or a longer hike across valleys and dales is extremely beneficial to our fitness, we can also benefit greatly from simply moving around, stretching our legs or pottering in the garden (for example). Our bodies are made for movement and going outside for a short break is wonderful tonic in so many ways.

Many of us will have heard of S.A.D syndrome which can be a problem for some of us as the seasons change. It's a form of depression that can be much alieviated by taking gentle deep breaths of cold fresh air to oxygenate the blood and stimulate the metabolism. Our bodies work hard to keep warm in the cold which energises our internal organs and this is highly theraputic. Always remember to wear warm clothing and to not stay out too long if you art starting to feel too chilly.

A great start to the day

I have come up with an easy way to start the day with a simple Daily Planner with dedicated sections to jot down your plans for the day. While many of us have diaries and planners, I can never find one with all the things I need in it which is why I caread my own template. This I wanted to share with you together with my Daily Gratitude template and I hope this is helpful.

These templates work well together as a daily arrangement. They also provide a handy set of prompts to follow when you need somewhere to write things down on certain days or for certain projects. The added bonus for me is that it this has helped me to estabish healthy habits that keep my mind, body and soul in balance and in good order.

Freebies for you!

The following breakdown sets out what's on the Daily Planner template and what the different sections are for. You can download this for FREE at the end of this post.