By Lindsay Coulter, a fellow Queen of Green
Join me for our annual 30×30 Nature Challenge!
Have you let deadlines, back-to-back meetings, illness, or injury keep you away from nature? (Credit: Brendon Purdy Photography)
I once went 11 days straight without going outside.
The reason: we named him Wyn.
After four days of pre-labour (who knew that has humanely possible, I mean humanly possible?), hours of active labour in my birth tub (don’t worry it was phthalate-free and I bought it second-hand on Craig’s List), and stair climbing (among other midwifery/doula tricks to try to “spin him”) — our son was delivered in hospital by emergency C-section.
Three nights in hospital later — cringing at disposable diapers and pads and yellow baby shampoo — we went home. My recovery took forever. I couldn’t walk. So I didn’t. For 11 days.
It wasn’t Wyn’s fault I became cranky, irritable, sad, overwhelmed and oh so tired.
(Well… maybe the tired part. Nursing every two hours is not like studying all night for a zoology final. But it’s worth it!)
Advice from my midwives and doula:
Tip 1: Send the baby out!
Just because I couldn’t walk didn’t mean my son shouldn’t get some Vitamin “N” and fresh air. A good friend took Wyn in the carrier for his first walk outside! Dad did walks, too.
Tip 2: Walk in the yard
I put him in the stroller and did a 30 metre round-trip lap in our yard. Something’s better than nothing!
Tip 3: Walk down the block
Talk about small steps! I shuffled slowly down a block, turned around and shuffled home.
But getting outside did its magic. I felt like a new person! And I got happy. (So did Wyn.)
Is something stopping you from getting out into nature when you need it most — deadlines, back-to-back meetings, illness, or injury? Don’t undervalue your need to see the sky, smell the rain, feel the sun, etc.
Find a way.
Get happier with me. Join the 30×30 Nature Challenge! Get into nature for 30 minutes for 30 days and you’ll be happily hooked.
Sincerely,
Lindsay Coulter, a fellow Queen of Green
