The 2021 Guide You Can Count On For Super Boosted Wellbeing

It’s almost the new year (phew!) - and although you make be boycotting resolutions, we have one that is actually ATTAINABLE. We promise!

2020 has been the most unexpected year, bringing on new stresses, anxiety, and every other emotional and mental ailment that you could have never prepared for. Over the last 9 months, humanity has been pushed to our limits just to get by, let alone even attempt at thriving. And after a year where all of our resolutions and goals got thrown out the window by March, we are now ready to make some new ones that we can actually stick to, regardless of anything that comes our way.

And what is one for the top of everyone’s list?

“Do more things that reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall wellbeing.”

This might seem like a lofty resolution right now, but the key to achieving any goal is creating a plan of action to support it, which is exactly what we have for you!

Cooper Cayuse Outfitter’s Guide To Reducing Anxiety and Super Boosting Wellbeing

Get Out In Nature

It’s not a groundbreaking discovery that spending time in nature is good for you. Everyone can admit that after a few minutes in a green space, they have more “good” feels than before. Beyond an internal feeling, there are many studies, backed by science, that highlight the benefits of getting out into green spaces.

Experiencing mindfulness, improved brain health, and increased immune system are the big takeaways that land “getting out in nature” on our guide for super boosting wellbeing

(We actually wrote a different blog about the benefits of nature in more detail. Read it here )

Connect With Animals

Here’s some news to make anyone into an animal lover - scientific studies have proven that interacting with animals can decrease levels of stress hormones (cortisol) and lower blood pressure in humans. Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood. (source)

Before you go looking to befriend your neighborhood squirrel or hug your family dog for the ten-thousanth time this year, may we suggest an alternative course of action? Come spend a day (or a few) with our horses on a Copper Cayuse tour!

For years, horses have been used to improve mental health via equine-assisted therapy. Although we are definitely not a therapy ranch, many of the same benefits can occur by just spending time with horses.

Reduce Screen Time

When you get off your screens, your brain gets a chance to relax. Relaxation = Less Stress.

“If we fill all our downtime with digital distractions (surfing Facebook, posting on Instagram, playing games on our phones, or even reading e-books), the brain has no time left with which to process the world, chunk information, and form long term memories.” (from Amy Blankson’s book The Future of Happiness.)

If you are able to spend a little less time on your phone each day, you’ll start to experience a significant decrease in anxiety and likely become much happier.

That is one of the most common pieces of feedback we get from riders after a tour - they were so grateful for the opportunity to get off their phones! And although you might snap a few pictures on your phone while on tour (it’s so beautiful we don’t blame you), you will not be distracted by any incoming notifications as most of our tours occur (happily) off the grid.

Connection With Others

If this year has taught us anything, it is the importance of human connection and having a feeling of belonging. We have had to get creative with ways to safely connecting with loves ones and our community without physical touch. Playing trivia over zoom, watching the same Netflix show from your own homes, and enjoying walks outside was big on everyone’s list.

Studies have shown that having shared experience actually increases the benefits of connection, as opposed to experiencing the same thing but individually.

We definitely believe that! Whenever partners or groups come on our horseback tours together, they leave with smiles that speak louder than words. We know that they have just made memories together that will last a lifetime.

Practice Gratitude

Positive psychology research has shown that gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with happiness. Gratitude helps people deal with adversity and difficult times, increase the number of positive emotions they feel, improve their health, and helps them build strong relationships.

So how do you start practicing gratitude? Easy! Each day connect a gratitude practice to something you already do routinely. For example, when you’re brushing your teeth or making your bed, say out loud 5 things that you are grateful for. When you connect this practice to an already occurring routine, you will create a habit of practicing gratitude.

We promise that if you follow this guide, you will be upping your wellbeing and setting yourself up for a good 2021, whatever it might bring!

As you may have realized, our horseback tours check a lot of these items off your wellness “to do” list. We welcome everyone to join us in 2021 for some safe, exciting, and overall wellbeing boosting horseback riding.

We are currently offering 15% off select rides during our HOLIDAY SALE! Book by December 31st to kickstart your wellness planning and take advantage of these savings. Doesn’t get much better than that.