“Ladders and stages suggest leaving behind the previous rung or stage. Actually, one adds new dimensions to what one is, like a tree adds rings.” - Thomas Keating

In the US Northeast, autumn has arrived and has brought the usual wet-cool weather, leaves falling, less sunlight, and conditions enticing us to spend more time indoors, becoming increasingly dormant and less active. A dated study, from the EPA - Environmental Protection Agency, from 20+ years ago, found that Americans averaged 7% of their time outdoors and 93% of their time indoors. Today, I imagine it's even a higher percentage of time indoors. This is concerning as we face a growing demand for mental health support, especially during Covid, for kids, adults, & families.

As we deal with the seasons of life, as well as the stressful holiday months upon us, I'd like to offer two suggestions to manage stress.

Get outdoors. Take walks, fresh air breaks, preferably with someone in conversation, but alone time outside is key as well. Being outside a building/car enlivens the senses, and pulls us out of our comfort zone - working areas of the brain that go underutilized - shaping self-esteem, courage, and feeling calmer.

Be generous. Volunteering and reaching out to others is an expression of love, relating to compassion & kindness also being essential nourishment for the brain - building confidence, connection, and clarity.

Also, generosity is a triple benefit:

1) the person receiving the act/service is strengthened by the gesture, 2) the volunteer is nourished by sacrificing one's time & contribution, 3) the community is built up by the connection made by these generous moments, hopefully inspiring others to give.

Being outdoors and living generously invites us to look beyond what's directly in front of us - expanding our view, recharging us, in how we respond to conditions impacting us. We're often not as limited as we perceive and stepping outside the box uncovers our resiliency allowing us to evolve and develop a stronger sense of self.