5 Ways to Heal Through Nature Connection

Throughout my life, I have experienced many hardships, ranging from big to small. As I have processed these difficulties, the most significant thing I have learned is that actively being in nature always helps me to get through whatever struggle is happening in my life. Even more so, I have learned how to cultivate a relationship with nature through every kind of season I experience. Some of my happiest memories have taken place outdoors.

Around ten years ago, I decided to get a divorce. This was the hardest decision I have ever made. Following this choice was the most intense loneliness I have ever felt in my entire life. As I searched my heart and dealt with my sadness, I felt drawn to the outdoors. I began to make it a regular thing to get outside in some format. Standing among the trees, I quickly noticed I didn’t feel so alone anymore. I was able to make meaningful and life-changing connections with the nature that surrounded me.

Little by little, I began to change. I started feeling less sad and gradually more hopeful. I decided to research the magic behind being in the forest. Those findings have changed the entire course of my life. I discovered that the benefits of nature were evidence-based and transformative. Some of these proven benefits include being able to breathe easier, your thoughts may begin to slow down, even your conversations may go deeper. For some individuals, dreams, intentions, and desires become more evident. It has the potential to reduce stress and lower your heart rate. The stress hormone, cortisol, is lowered by 16% within the first fifteen minutes. Furthermore, it can potentially decrease inflammation in the body, boost your immune system, improve your mood, it even increases the possibility to focus better. Surprisingly, it promotes creativity and, in some cases, it even helps us to be more generous and compassionate. After uncovering all of these benefits, it was clear to me why I was feeling healed inside and out, physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.

My greatest passion in life has become the process of sharing this powerful information so that other individuals can see their lives become transformed from the healing power of reconnecting to nature. Provided here are 5 ways that you can connect to nature on a daily basis:

One – Intentional Driving

Sometimes taking the long way to work can be the best way. I have noticed such a positive difference in my day by simply taking a more scenic route to work. When I drive on back roads it allows me a more peaceful ride with much less traffic and chaos to distract me. I am allowed to pay attention to the giant trees, blooming flowers, the color of the sky, and all the beauty I can find as I travel along. I use this time by being intentional. I usually turn the radio off or put on music that is relaxing and soothing to my ears. Of course, this could be different for everyone, so choose what connects to your heart the most. I take this time to set goals for the day, pray, speak out my affirmations, reflect on the previous day, and connect to my surroundings as I drive. This has become my superpower. It is amazing how much more focused and clear I am once I arrive at the office. Positivity, calmness and happiness are much easier to uncover inside of myself after making this intentional nature connection while I drive.

Allow your Intentional Driving to be personal. Choose a route that you enjoy and follow your heart to see what you want to include or omit while you drive. What speaks to you?

Driving through the Grand Canyon while watching elk on the side of the road.

Two – Cooking Outdoors

There is nothing quite like having a tough day at work and then coming home to sit on the patio and cook something delicious, while feeling the wind on your face and the birds singing in the background. As a child, I would get so excited when we were at the camp and my dad would cook a big meal outside. For some reason those outside meals tasted better to me than meals cooked inside. Now that I know what I know about the healing effects of nature, I realize it was more than just good food that I was enjoying. It was the whole experience of being outside. All of my five senses were being activated, which immediately took me to the present moment.

Here are various considerations of what cooking outdoors could look like through the 5 senses:

Sight – Gaze at the sky, glance at the food cooking, notice the people and animals you are sharing space with.

Smell – Inhale the scent of savory food cooking and breathe in the gentle aroma of flowers and trees.

Sound – Hear the food gently bubbling and the wind rustling through the leaves in the trees. Listen to conversations happening between loved ones.

Taste – Savor the delicious food prepared in front of you.  

Touch – Experience the feeling of the wind on your skin or possibly the warm embraces received from friends and family members present.

Being in the present moment is such a beautiful and effective way to connect to the here and now. Without even noticing it, the worries from the day melt away and laughter and happiness begin to flow.

Cooking cabbage soup on my front patio.

Grilling crabs while enjoying the view.

 Three – Nature Walks, Hiking, or Kayaking

I love pushing myself on difficult nature trails as I hike through the woods or as I kayak my day away, gliding over the cool water. All the benefits of nature are happening to us as we immerse ourselves in its presence. I find kayaking to be extremely powerful. Mainly because water that has a constant flow reminds us of the power of change. Water is able to transform landscapes and it brings nourishment wherever it touches. The same thing is happening to us as we kayak along on that beautiful water.

Fun and exercise can easily happen in nature. Doing the things that are good for us become much more enjoyable when they happen outdoors. It could be an early morning jog, discovering a new hiking trail, or riding your bike at sunset. Sometimes you may just want to lay a blanket down on the grass and stare above at the sky. Do what feels right for you!

Kayaking on Lake Martin on such a beautiful day.

Hiking and playing in waterfalls at Clark Creek Natural Area.

Four – Grounding in the Morning with the Sunrise

Some of my most beautiful morning memories are those barefoot and watching the sunrise. I have found that any opportunity I get, I usually kick my shoes off and walk barefoot on the Earth!

The benefits of grounding have been scientifically proven to literally recharge our body. It helps us to heal and provides vital connection to the earth. Wake up early, step outside barefoot, and watch the sunrise. This connects you to your inner cyclical nature. Before we had electricity and alarm clocks telling us when to wake up, we would rise with the sun. Once again, this is drenched in mental and physical health benefits that may allow us to have a more peaceful day. One peaceful day can grow into weeks, months, and years of greater inner peace that can be cultivated for a life time.

Mornings at our camp located north of Turkey Creek on Cocodrie Lake.

Five – Open the Windows & Let the Sunshine In

Sometimes we cannot get outside. It could be raining, there could be mosquitos everywhere, it could be stifling hot, or we could have a physical limitation that keeps us indoors. Does this mean we can’t enjoy the benefits of nature? No, absolutely not! Open up all those windows and let the sunlight in. Crack your windows to enjoy the cool, gentle breeze. Place a calming wind-chime on your porch to hear the movement of the outside. Light a candle and take it all in.

Sometimes I do this and then I cuddle up on the couch with a favorite book. Doing this allows nature inside even when you cannot be physically outside. I have found that doing this makes my indoor work much more pleasurable. I even do this when I am cleaning the house. I engage my five senses and I get started on the dishes. It’s fascinating because cleaning in this way has actually made it fun and enjoyable. It’s no longer a chore, but more of a present moment experience.

I am so thrilled to share this information with you! I hope that you can find guidance in these words to make an intentional connection with nature. Being outside has become my favorite way to celebrate my spiritual connection, whether it be under a canopy of trees or with my toes in the sand while the surf washes over my feet. I find that everything inside of me slows down and life makes more sense. I invite you to celebrate your life in nature today in whatever way feels right for you. There are no rules on the “best” or “correct” way to do this. Just jump in where you feel comfortable and you will start to notice how much more alive you feel by being surrounded by so much life! Allow nature to be part of your healing journey today!

Here I am, sitting among the cypress trees at Cocodrie Lake.

References:

Pelvin, J. (2019). The healing magic of forest bathing: Finding calm, creativity, and connection in the natural world. Ten Speed Press.