Finding Calm in the CWU Japanese Garden: Why 10 Minutes Can Change Your Day Ever feel like your mind has 50 tabs open? That’s when nature calls

Recently, I visited the Donald L. Garrity Japanese Garden at Central Washington University—a 30,000 sq ft oasis designed by Masa Mizuno in 1991. It’s not just beautiful; it’s medicine for an overwhelmed mind.

When screens, deadlines, and noise take over, a simple 10-minute walk can shift everything. The crunch of gravel beneath your feet. The way sunlight filters through maple leaves. The sound of water over stones. It brings you back into your body.

In Japanese tea culture, there’s a word I love: Ippuku (一腹). Traditionally, it means a single serving of tea. But it also carries a deeper meaning—a short break, a moment to refresh and reset. Sometimes that’s all we need.

So next time life feels too loud, try this: step outside. Touch a leaf. Feel the breeze. Give yourself an ippuku—with tea, or with a walk.

📍If you’re in Washington, this garden is a gem worth visiting.
 Where’s your favorite place to pause?