I have always been one to stress over everything, especially the things that are out of my control. I have always found comfort in my dog, including taking walks with him or playing in my backyard. He loved the snow and I know he would have loved to be outside right now eating the snow and just running out like the energetic dog he always was, as you can see in the images above.

In October we had to put him down as I mentioned in a previous blog. Ever since I have struggled to fill that void in my life. I have struggled to find coping mechanisms to ease the pressure and tension of life. One way I have found to release unwanted anxiety is taking walks just as I did everyday with Auggie.

Recently, I found just being outside, especially in the snow. Snow is an incredible calming mechanism. The silence of just being outside with the snow, whether playing in it or just looking at it is amazing.

So, for this blog I encourage you to go in your backyard, snow or not, and just take in the scenery. I have talked about a lot of places you can go to enjoy nature and ease stress, but I want to emphasize a place as simple as a backyard can do wonders.

Last week, after the snow storm dumped an additional 9 inches, I went sledding with my boyfriend. I felt my shoulders relax, my heart slow down and my mind clear of unnecessary worry.

I have always loved the snow and am happy I found another source of comfort for my stress. I absolutely love the winter time and the snow. Honestly, I think it partially has to do with the fact that I was born on the first day of winter.

I think the other side to my calmness when outside is I feel as if I was out there with my dog, watching him run through the snow just as I did for so many years. Stress is such a hard thing to manage, but connecting with nature, even if just in your backyard can do wonders.Hope everything is going well for you all, but if you are feeling overcome with stress, try sitting outside and taking in the world. (hope this adorable picture of Auggie above helps if you need a pick me up)