Morning Light, Quiet Mind

She stepped into the garden as sunlight touched the leaves. Exposure to natural light and outdoor environments has been shown to regulate circadian rhythms, improve mood, and increase alertness (Boubekri et al. 145).

Spending even short periods in green spaces reduces stress and promotes psychological restoration (Hartig et al. 210). She inhaled deeply, feeling tension dissolve with the morning breeze. Nature did not demand anything. It only reminded her that presence and observation were enough.

Works Cited (MLA)
Boubekri, M., et al. “Impact of Windows and Daylight Exposure on Overall Health and Sleep Quality of Office Workers: A Case-Control Pilot Study.” Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, vol. 3, no. 5, 2007, pp. 145–153.
Hartig, Terry, et al. “Health Benefits of Nature Experience: Psychological, Social and Cultural Mechanisms.” Forest and Human Health, Springer, 2014, pp. 207–226.