I distinctly remember a time in life when grief was front and center. My first ride or die, Lilly, was battling illness and was slowly losing her sparkle. Lilly came into my life when I was a new baby nurse, living in my first apartment without roommates. She was the cutest, tiniest little kitten and we grew up together. She eventually met my husband, reluctantly at first, and settled into life with kitty siblings and a “cat dad”. I knew her time was limited and sometimes the grief would swallow me whole. At times, I didn’t know if I should never leave her side, or run away as fast as I could, subconsciously believing that I could actually outrun grief. Those were the moments when nature became my safe haven. I have always felt spiritually linked to nature. My soul seems to light up and fill back up when I am immersed in the mountains, gardens or beach. As I walked through that season of grief for Lilly, I knew I needed a place to go, to let go or fill up, whatever was needed at that time. I began spending time every day just walking in the park in our neighborhood. I would work on simply experiencing what was in front of me at that time, and not focus on the what if’s of Lilly’s future. I began noticing the beauty of the changing seasons, the way the leaves sounded when a breeze passed by and the songs of the many birds that lived in the park. This time and place became my safe escape. It did not take away my grief or stop Lilly’s illness progression. Nature gave me a place to process all that was going on, and it gave me mental clarity in a time when my emotions were loud. Reflecting on this time in life, I began reading about nature’s healing powers. There are so many! We won’t discuss all of them, but let’s chat about some that really stand out.
Much of our time now is filled with busy schedules, screens and notification noises all while sitting indoors under harsh, fluorescent lights or in a car driving from one task to the next task. The most some of us see of nature is from an office with a window or from our driver’s seat in the car. (Now that office with a window is great, but definitely does not count as time in nature.). I don’t know about you, but this sounds pretty claustrophobic.
So how do we stop and spend more time in nature and why will more time in it help you? I don’t think it is a secret that when we look at the bottom line, it is all about slowing down and being present. And I discussed the importance of living a slower life in an earlier blog (Go check it out), so we won’t go into detail on that. Let’s instead focus on 4 specific things that nature can provide for you and your well-self.
Refuge
Our environment can influence how we feel. Natural spaces often provide a sense of peace, openness, and restoration that can be difficult to find in busy indoor environments. Stress, mental fatigue or chaos can be reduced when immersed in nature. Walking through a park, sitting beneath a tree, listening to the wildlife or simply breathing in fresh air can create a sense of calm. Our time in nature can act as a mental reset. It doesn’t require you to accomplish anything. You can simply be in your refuge.
Better Sleep
Getting outside during the day also gives you an opportunity to soak in natural light, which plays an important role in regulating many of our internal systems. A circadian rhythm is a natural, internal 24 hour biological cycle that regulates sleep-wake patterns, hormone release and metabolism. Sunlight and darkness act as the main signals that alert the brain when to release or suppress certain hormones. For example, melatonin is often associated with sleep because it is triggered by the setting sun and decreased light. This causes drowsiness and helps us sleep. Cortisol and adrenaline, on the other hand, wake up and begin working as the sun rises. These help us work and be alert. Staying indoors, under artificial light with constant blue light stimulation from our screens can disrupt this natural rhythm that our body needs causing poor sleep quality which leads to many other issues. A morning walk or lunch time walk can be easy ways to incorporate natural light into your day.
Improved Exercise Routines
Moving our exercise routines outside is a great way to connect to nature. We are not only changing our scenery and escaping the harsh fluorescent lights and climate controlled air, we are also gaining more physical strength by introducing a change in terrain. Exercising outside incorporates hills and uneven ground which help to improve balance and use more stabilizing muscles. Some people say that they feel like their workouts are better and that they are able to prevent distraction from fatigue due to the changing environment around them. Another benefit to exercising outdoors is that IT IS FREE! No gym membership needed!
Stronger Immune System
How can we give our immune systems a quick boost? Go into nature and practice Shinrin-yoku, aka forest bathing. This Japanese practice allows you to completely immerse your senses in a natural environment, The actual translation of shinrin-yoku means “absorbing the forest atmosphere”. Trees and plants release airborne antimicrobial compounds called phytoncides. For the trees and plants, it helps provide protection from insects and disease. For humans, breathing in phytoncides boosts production and activity of specific white blood cells that destroy virus-infected cells and tumor cells. Vitamin D is also given a boost by natural sunlight exposure. Vitamin D is also a nutrient that powers up the immune system.
Wellness doesn’t always require a complicated plan. Sometimes, it begins with stepping outside and taking a deep breath. I highly encourage you to go outside and enjoy the season changes, especially right now! The fall colors are breathtaking. And if you want to chat more about ways to connect with nature, let me know! We can go for a walk in the park and discuss 🙂
