Five Common Myths about Addiction
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Nature has the quiet power to calm the mind, restore energy, and remind us that growth can happen even when we can’t yet see it.
Tu B’Shvat arrives just when winter feels longest and our energy feels lowest. The trees are still bare, the air cold, the days short. Yet Judaism celebrates the birthday of the trees, nudging us to notice growth even when it’s hidden and reconnect with the natural world, after months of being indoors.
Judaism teaches that nature is a source of spiritual connection, emotional grounding, and inner strength. Reciting blessings on mountains, storms, fragrant trees, and beautiful landscapes are practices of awareness, gratitude, and vitality. They remind us that nature is a transformative part of our wellbeing.
Modern science echoes what Jewish tradition has long understood: spending time in nature reduces stress, restores attention, supports emotional regulation, and strengthens resilience.1 Even small, everyday encounters with the outdoors can shift our mood and steady our nervous system.
Tu B’Shvat can be a mindful reset, a moment to step outside and breathe deeply.
Below are five practical ways to engage with nature to support your mental health.
Do you remember the last time you were blown away by something so majestic and awe-inspiring? Awe is one of the most powerful emotional regulators. It widens our perspective, reduces stress, and helps us feel part of something larger than ourselves.
You don’t need a mountain range or a national park. A single tree silhouetted against the sky, the pattern of a leaf, or the luminous colors of a sunset can create a moment of quiet expansion.
Why this helps: Awe reduces rumination, lowers stress hormones, and increases feelings of meaning and interconnectedness.1
Judaism offers a built-in system for noticing nature’s beauty. When we pause to say a blessing on a fragrant tree, a rainbow, or a powerful storm, we shift from autopilot into mindful presence. This practice helps us to notice the everyday miracles we often take for granted.
Why this helps: Mindfulness reduces stress, improves coping, and increases emotional regulation, leading us to greater wellbeing.2
Water has a uniquely calming effect. Even small bodies of water, like a stream, a fountain, or a pond, can soothe the mind.
If you don’t live near natural water, try listening to water sounds or placing a small bowl of water near a window to create a calming sensory cue.
Why this helps: Research shows that water environments reduce anxiety, support clear thinking, and promote a sense of emotional ease.3
Not everyone has access to parks or forests. The good news is that even small doses of nature, indoors or out, can make a difference to our wellbeing.
A single healthy plant, natural light through a window, fresh air, or even an image of nature can shift your emotional state.
Why this helps: Indoor plants have been shown to reduce stress, improve concentration, and create a sense of calm, especially in high-pressure environments.5
Sensory grounding uses sight, touch, sound, smell, and taste bring us back into the present moment, especially in moments of stress. Nature connects us with natural sensations, such as rustling leaves, birdsong, and the feel of grass, to soothe the body and mind.
To engage in this practice, try stepping outside and ask yourself:
What colors do I see?
What sounds can I hear?
What textures can I touch?
What scents are in the air?
Why this helps: Sensory grounding interrupts anxious thoughts and calms the nervous system.6
Tu B’Shvat reminds us that growth often begins quietly, beneath the surface, often long before any change or progress is visible. It teaches us that renewal can happen even in the coldest seasons of our lives.
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