There is now plenty of evidence that sitting, walking or spending time in outdoor areas especially around water or trees is very good for us.
What usually happens is our stress response drops, our inflammation drops, and our fitness and happiness increase.
Julia Baird in her wonderful book Phosphorescence also describes how good for us feelings of awe are.
This could be gratitude, amazement, hope, or just a general sense of how amazing the world we live in is and wonder at our small part in the greater picture.
We usually feel awe in nature when we are struck by the beauty around us and become grateful for our capacity to experience that beauty.
Redfern Park is full of beautiful fig trees and art, Sydney Park has many beautiful green spaces and several water spaces, and both Victoria Park and Prince Alfred Park are full of areas to sit and play around water, flowers, trees and happy people.
In a few months, when its major rejuvenation is complete, you could also try the South Sydney Uniting Church’s community garden on Raglan Street where you might even come home with some low cost veggies and eggs.
If you get tired of our wonderful local spaces, you could even head over to the beach and have a bathe in the ocean.
Wherever you decide to go, why not make some time today to sit, walk, or play in a green or water space and breathe in the wonder and majesty of the world around us.
