Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree along time ago.  ~Warren Buffett

Well that is me today, 7:30-8:30a this morning in about 107F degrees thinking some thoughts and doing some yard work.

Desert trees make some ‘real moves’ in the summer desert heat. You might never notice as you are running from your car to your air-conditioning, so let me point them out.

 A lot of desert trees bloom in the spring and then bring their seeds to maturity just before the real heat sets in.  Then the seed pods and leaf debris drop and make a thermal and moisture protecting mulch over the trees’ root bed.  Brilliant!  Many trees actually grow a bit of limb length and leaf density to also protect and keep moisture in around that precious root zone. I’ve seen up to 3 feet branch growth in the matter of a few hot summery/spring weeks.  Smart, though it often goes unnoticed.

So in this perfect cyclic nature scenario that is, there is a challenging element inserted into my and maybe your earthbound existence. Tree debris, weeds and unruly tree limbs do not fit into the HOA xeroscape guidelines for most desert dwelling homeowners. I like a tidy landscape so I’m willing to comply.

Back to Nirvana, I’m sitting under this beautiful Acacia, that someone planted long ago, sorting through tree droppings/debris and landscape gravel.  It’s beautiful in the morning to be outside with my hands in nature.  I am happy to move and rake and work and sweat!  These are the health benefits of outdoor laboring.

Tree debris with the exception of a few species is pure composting gold in a land where topsoil and mulch are scarce.  Every little bit goes into my mulch compost pile. I know the tree and ground has not been sprayed at least in the past few years, so I’m willing to compost it. It can make lovely layers along with raw kitchen parings in a compost pile. I’m meticulous about not adding cooked food, meat, fish, dairy products, grease or any animal attracting items as I’m good neighbor and don’t want or need to attract scavengers.  I do revere the fact that any little way earths’ composting nutrients can stay out of the land fill will fortify shrubs, trees and flower gardens. Your loss landfill!

Ok, and the gravel? Gravel is a requirement for HOA landscaping. It creates that xeroscape effect. Did you know that when seasonal yard work is done tons and tons of gravel gets scooped up with the banned tree debris and goes directly into garbage cans and into the land fill?

Back to Nirvana, under the tree, raking up my yard area, sorting through to reclaim the gravel and saving the nutritious tree debris is why I sit today under this tree someone planted many years ago. 

I’m aware as I rake and lift debris that my muscles benefit from the heat, like an instant warm up! My lungs need to work little harder gathering oxygen to help metabolize lactic acid. My pores begin to open and sweat til it’s pouring from my forehead and getting trapped in my sunglass lens as I bend over my work. 

Do you sweat?  This is an important question! You need to hydrate well everyday, all day and not just before exercise to sweat well.  You need to identify if your skin pores open up and let it all out!  Many people do not sweat and this can be linked to an autonomic dysfunction.  May sound ominous but it is common and a naturopathic doctor would be happy to identify and help you treat the cause. When it comes to sweating usually the more the better in desert country!  It’s a personal indicator of how much and how long you can healthfully enjoy the heat.

Under a tree someone planted long ago you can enjoy a natural sauna. Sauna has been well studied in the context of heart disease in preventing and reversing it. 

This essay touches on the health benefits you can attain from getting out there and doing. These are not medical recommendations for you personally as only your doctor can recommend and approve exercise and activity for your individual case.  

Our connection with the natural world is one of the best, most enjoyable and direct ways to capture health and deep satisfaction in everyday life. There are many free activities to help you get ‘desert trim’ even in the summer heat.

Word of warning:  Six people had to be pulled off mountain trails in just one day this week in the Phoenix area, all before 10am!  Forget the mountain for now, look for a shade tree and something engaging to do.

 

Note: If you don’t sweat or stop sweating and get clammy and dizzy, get a headache, nausea, dry mouth/eyes or palpitations you are dehydrated and may be in a stage of heat stroke!  Check in with emergency care if you are not feeling well after a few minutes of rapid cooling and hydration.