I snapped this photo out the casita window. It looks like this chipmunk is doing push-ups. But in reality he’s eating the blossoms on top of the cactus. Seems like it would be an uncomfortable place to be.
I have the radio on when I drive. There’s often short little snippets of helpful information during breaks of programming. Here’s two I heard this week that stuck with me:
MUSIC
I heard the reason we think music was better in our day is because music holds many strong emotions for us. Our interest and love of popular music peaks around age 20. When we hear music from that time, it triggers memories. That’s why no matter our age, we think music from our teens and 20s are the best. It’s also why we don’t always relate to current music.
FOREST BATH
Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese practice that involves immersing oneself in a forest environment to promote relaxation and well-being by engaging all five senses. It can help reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall health by connecting with nature.
Even if you don’t have a forest near by, like me, five minutes outside can do wonders for stress and health. If you’re feeling stressed or anxious, go outside. Focus on what you see, hear, smell and touch. Breathe, relax and nature will restore you. I think that’s why I enjoy my daily walks so much. I’m getting exercise but also connecting to nature.
Have you heard of or tried a Forest Bath before?
Why do you think our music was the best?
Love the chipmunk shot! Poor little guy must have been very hungry to brave those spikes.
And I totally agree with forest baths. Nature cures all ills…
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The chipmunks must have some super power to climb the cactus. They are there all the time. I agree. Spending time in nature makes my day so much better.
I like the chipmunk. Your photo is perfect. I like being outside in nature so I’m YAY about forest baths.
I realized after hearing that snippet on the radio about forest baths, that I go outside every day to sit and relax. The chipmunk is cute, but a year ago I saw one running back and forth with white foam in his mouth. It turned out he was destroying my chaise lounge!
They are sneaky little critters. We had a family living under our front stoop that had to be professionally, shall we say, relocated. I muttered so much about that.
They are sneaky!
Love shinrin-yoku as a wellness practice! And your chippy is adorable! 🥰
I was glad to have my camera handy to catch that shot. I see chipmunks on cacti all the time. A few minutes in nature can be a game changer.
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How in the world did the chipmunk manage to get to that spot in the first place I wonder?! I can easily relate to both of those little snippets EA. The memories always just flood in when I hear specific music and I would literally live in a forest if I could. The entire world ceases to bother me if I’m surrounded by trees.
The chipmunks love to climb on cacti. I have no idea how they do it! Yes, I miss the forests of Washington. Growing up, our house had 10 acres of forest next to it. My brother and I would make trails throughout it. But I’m content to sit out in my desert now.
I do love hanging out at the gardens, but I haven’t been forest bathing. I’ve read the same thing about music …that what we listened to as teens is the soundtrack of our lives. I freely admit I love 70s and 80s. And when I hear something from that era it lodges in my brain. I do try to keep current though
I get outside every day. I grew up in Washington state so I love forests. But in Arizona, it’s good to get outside and enjoy our desert. I listen to 70s and 80s in our car with the Sirius stations.
When we use Sirius we switch around a lot
I stick to 70s and 80s but my husband likes to listen to a lot of other stations.
Bruce for my husband
I get why I think 80s is the best. That makes sense to me. What I’m always surprised at is how much current music turns me off. I don’t pooh pooh it or anything . . . I’m just always shocked how little it does anything for me. I guess it’s just not my taste. ha, ha.
That’s so true. There’s very little modern music that I enjoy! I like 70s and 80s for some unknown reason 😅
I don’t like to criticize current music. I hate to be one of those curmudgeons who hated our music back in the day. I just can’t relate to modern music. Ha, ha.
I remember my mom and dad being those curmudgeons.
The first bit of information is no surprise to me as it’s always been the case. The second term is new to me and sounds just amazing.
Everyone thinks the music they grew up with is the best, regardless of how old they are. I had never heard the term Forest Bath before, but I do take my breaks outside.
It’s a great practice my friend
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Love these snippets! And that photo is awesome – amazing that chipmunks will brave the spines!
Thank you. The snippets were simple but stayed with me. I’m always surprised when I see creatures braving the cacti.
I heard something similar about music. It said that 14 was our peak music year and that our favorite songs would be from around then. I started country line-dancing later in life though, so some of my favorite country songs were from those years.
I think age 14 was when I first was listening to music on the radio. The songs from high school and college have the best memories for me.
I agree about the music. I know for me one of the reasons I don’t like some of the new music is that I don’t understand the words. If I can’t understand the words, how can I relate? Cute squirrel. I suppose his feet are tiny enough to fit between the prickles.
I can’t understand the words to new music either. I’m sure that part of it. I figure he’s tiny enough to fit between the spikes.
Fantastic photo of the chipmunk.
Thank you!
Love that little bloke and the desperation for a snack.
I practise forest bathing all the time. I live in a forest 😀
Thank you! You’re lucky to live in a forest. I grew up next to a forest north of Seattle, but now I’m in the desert.
That is so different going from a forest to a desert
It was. But I met my husband and he lived in In the desert. I thought I’d convince him to move to my hometown. Never happened,
I guess it was worth shot though
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Forest Bath seems interesting✨
I think being out in nature and being in tune with your senses really helps me.
You know what , I also went out today for a nature walk this blog reminded me of how long it has been since I went on a walk. It was truly beautiful 🫴 The weather was windy.
I’m so glad my blog helped you remember the enjoyment of nature walks. Thanks for sharing.
I think most of us feel that the music of ‘our day’ was the best. Some modern music I like, but some genres I don’t care for. I tune in more to the words (maybe that’s the writer in me and singer from years ago), and then the music. That photo is adorable, and I love the idea of forest bathing!
It seems everyone thinks the music from their days are the best. It is the memories they evoke. I agree with you that a lot of the feeling is in the words.
Spending time outdoors every day is essential to me. I think our music was the best because, well, it just was!!😁 Hubby and I listened to (or tried to) the 8 Grammy nominees for song of the year. Only sort of liked one (Bar Song), and didn’t finish most of the rest.
I’ve always loved outdoors. It makes such an improvement in my day to either walk or even sit outside and soak up nature in a chaise lounge for five minutes. Yes, our music was the best. 😊 I’ve never heard of Bar Song. I had to laugh when Bonnie Raitt won song of the year in 2023 and the headline was “Unknown Won Song of the Year.”
“Unknown”?!!! That’s pathetic.
Can you believe a journalist wrote that and it was the headline unchecked? It was at least Bonnie Raitt’s 12th or 13th Grammy Award!