It seems as though, at least in the Metro Vancouver area, Spring sprung sometime in January. The cherry trees, magnolias, daffodils, etc., are blooming, and it feels like spring is firmly in the air. Although we can appreciate what nature has to offer at any time of the year, this is a particularly interesting season to spend time with nature. And, nature can be a strong ally in our efforts to manage our emotions. I know that apps designed to help you manage your emotions, change thinking patterns, modify health behavior, have proliferated over the last few years, and these can be extremely helpful. I would recommend, however, that you consider looking outside of you computers and smart phones to find ways to manage emotions by connecting with nature. Even simply going for a walk down an urban street, you might notice the complexity of the nature surrounding you. There are birds flying from tree to tree, squirrels darting around, leaves starting to emerge, beautiful blossoms, bees beginning their work, and the list goes on. Even the way in which the sunlight illuminates certain sections of a tree can be fascinating to watch. Indeed, the nature surrounding us, even if we don’t live in a 100% natural setting, is infinitely more complex and arguably more interesting than any game, app, or program on a computer or smart phone. Further, researchers have often concluded that exposure to nature is an important contributor to well-being, and that among young children, interacting with nature may be more valuable than sitting in a classroom. Spent some time brainstorming activities involving nature that might help enhance your mood or sense of well-being. Come up with a list of ways to connect with nature over the next week, and schedule yourself to do these things. Monitor your mood and emotional state, and see how mindfully engaging with the nature surrounding you affects how you feel. Leave the smart phone somewhere else, or at least turn it off. See this as an experiment, and if you discover something new, something really helpful and life enhancing, make it a part of your regular everyday life. -Alexander L. Chapman, PhD, RPsych., March 18, 2015