Located right outside the little town of Ronald, WA, in the thick of the Wenatchee National Forest, is the 8 mile hike, Hex Mountain. It is a multi-seasonal trail, exposing bountiful signs of each season throughout the year and offering rewarding views of Lake Cle Elum, the Stuart Range, Mt Hinman, Mt Daniel, and even Mt Rainier herself. Join me in exploring it and the lessons it teaches in this episode. If you are interested in reading more about trails in Washington, check out my blog post at outdoors-explored.com. I would also love to connect with you and hear your thoughts on this episode and how you might have applied this concept to your own life- you can find me on Instagram at @accordingtomadisonford Merry Christmas!

As someone who sits at a desk all day during the week, hypnotized by the glow of blue light, I find that getting outdoors is one of the only things that can help break the workday trance and help me feel re-energized. I wasn’t surprised when I came across a study by the Foundation for Chronic Disease Prevention in the Workplace that found improvement in the psychological well-being of 752 employees who began walking 10,000 steps outside per day. The improvements included their concentration, confidence and helped to reduce stress. This enhanced their sense of well-being was directly correlated to higher productivity, which inspired me to look closely at how time in nature might help us be better in our work lives with a holistic lense. To read more on this topic, please visit outdoors-explored.com.

For those of us in the mountains, the first snow each year is something that can bring out the inner child in even the most frigid of hearts. It is a nostalgic moment that sparks delight, kindles tranquility and ignites the fire of the holiday season. This is a powerful time to clear the busyness in our heads and be extra intentional about where we are going during the holidays and after the snow melts. Snow can be a symbol of a new season, of clearing our circumstances and attitudes, and of starting fresh as we ease into the new year. As it drops towards the earth in slow motion, this wistful indication of winter blankets our everyday lives, and provides a perfect opportunity to stop and be mindful this season. Thanks for listening! If you are interested in reading more about being intentional this season, check out my blog post at outdoors-explored.com. I would also love to connect with you and hear your thoughts on this episode and how you might have applied this concept to your own life- you can find me on Instagram at @accordingtomadisonford Cheers!

I have noticed that self care has morphed from investing in yourself to simple indulging, often in activities or items that are superficial or unhealthy. Indulging isn’t always bad, but it is to make you feel good in the moment instead of setting yourself up to feel cared for in the future. Choices are never just one decision, they affect every future decision without us even consciously knowing it. For example, eating an entire pizza to yourself after a hard day might just make you feel gross afterwards and even worse in the morning, often translating into other unhealthy habits like getting an energy drink because you feel tired. This type of “self care” is bullshit- a cycle of action and reaction developing habits, which can feel unbreakable.  For a few healthy self care ideas, check out my blog on this topic at outdoors-explored.com. Follow me on Instagram at @accordingtomadisonford and let me know what your thoughts are on self care, or what topic you'd like me to explore with you next.  Cheers! 

Slowing down is something I have always struggled with, as a self proclaimed productivity freak. This may be part of the reason why traditional meditation has always been difficult for me. The dreaded thought of sitting in the same spot closing my eyes and “clearing my mind” for an hour, playing awkward rain sounds on an app, was the reason I often put off trying the practice. This impatience is why I grappled with the concept- is the fact that I can’t sit still part of why I should practice meditation? I’ve always felt so much more connected to myself, and the world, when I was moving- especially outdoors. To read more about movement meditation, please visit my full blog at outdoors-explored.com