Yesterday, I should have been happy to have a day off from work. But the gloomy scene outside my kitchen window was not a great mood-lifter. The hard rain was beating a staccato rhythm against the window pane, the morning skies were cloudy, and the yellow leaves from my backyard tree were valiantly holding off to dear life.
I turned my back from the melancholy and checked my pictures
on my phone from my recent hike in Alley Pond Park, where I basked in all of
Autumn’s glorious riot of colors. The vibrant red, yellow, and orange foliage
filled my heart. I was transported back to those magical moments where the only
sounds I heard were the leaves crunching under my feet, the chirping of the
birds, the susurration of a brook, and the soft camera clicks from my niece. I
was happy.
On my recent trip to Los Cabos, Mexico, I was one of the instructors for the Wellness Conference organized by the 1199 Union organization for their RN members. I taught about finding joy in our personal and professional lives to fight nurse burnout. As the world rises out of the chokehold of the pandemic, healthcare workers are still struggling with the nursing shortage and other hospital inefficiencies.
There are many problems in life, and in healthcare, that may be beyond our control. There are also many ways to cope. Sometimes, the nurses are so consumed with taking care of others that they forget to care for themselves. To continue caring for
others, I urged the nurses to love themselves first. Be mindful of self-care
and mental health, and actively seek and find joy. Embrace your joy triggers,
I showed photos that make me happy. Pictures are excellent memory prompts to reminisce about happy occasions and serve as our emotional bubble against the troubles of this world. Numerous research has shown the connection between pictures of beloved family members, pets, beautiful scenery, vacations, and the reduction of cortisol and adrenaline hormones. Of course, nothing beats the real thing of feeling the Boracay breeze on your skin, but the picture of pedicured toes on the white sands brings on happy memories.
According to a 2021 Environmental Research and Public Health article, even looking at pictures of nature can calm the brain's orbitofrontal cortex, thereby reducing stress and anxiety. I surreptitiously checked the audience's reaction when I shared my happy photos with the class. The audience reacted as I expected. They ooh’d and aah’d and smiled at the stunning images of nature, cherry blossoms, a beautiful bench in Home Goods, coconut trees and flip-flops, rainbows, and lavender fields.
Happy Kids/Young Ones
Sunrise and Sunsets
Beaches
Fall Foliage
BTS
During the class, I could not help but fangirl. When my favorite band BTS flashed on the screen, a few looked confused (they must be living in a rock if they don’t know the biggest musical group in the world), but several squealed in delight. Of course, I went to my fellow Army and high-fived them.
So, yes, pictures can heal the mind and spirit. They are
instant mood-lifters during a gloomy, rainy day. Post pictures in your office, save them to your phones, or buy those digital photo frames to enjoy those reminders that life is wonderful.
"Happy"- Pharell Williams
The Astronaut- Jin of BTS, featuring Coldplay
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