Natural Nourishment
Do you often find yourself in need of some outdoor activity—perhaps a stroll in the garden—to restore your energy? Why is connecting with nature so important? One reason is that stress is rampant in our modern way of living… demanding jobs, kids, and external obligations are among the many things we’re trying to juggle these days. We spend most of our days inside and have lost our connection with nature, and we’ve done this at a high cost.
According to an article released by Yale, “These studies have shown that time in nature — as long as people feel safe — is an antidote for stress: It can lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, reduce nervous system arousal, enhance immune system function, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and improve mood. Attention Deficit Disorder and aggression lessen in natural environments, which also help speed the healing process.”
Our connection with nature not only has a physiological impact on our lives but a spiritual one. As beings that are made up of mind, body, and soul, we must focus on balancing all three aspects to be genuinely healthy. If our body is physically healthy, but our mind is not well, then we are unbalanced, and life will be hard.
When we enter nature, we enter a world bigger than ourselves, one that connects us all as spiritual inhabitants of this planet. Inside our homes and offices, our world becomes small and hyper-focused on whatever task we are working on, whether it’s our job, cleaning the house, or cooking. When we walk outside, we see the beauty and vastness of what’s been created for us –a forest of healing plants and herbs, sunlight that lifts our mood and raises our vitamin D levels for optimal health, and water that hydrates and nourishes our bodies. We see other living things that live off the land as we once did.
Easy Ways to Reconnect with Nature
Walking outside and breathing fresh air is one of the simplest ways to connect with nature. Nature is just outside your front door if you live in the country. Take a stroll, observe the trees, and take in the fresh air. Explore parks or public gardens if you reside in a city and discover spots that resonate with you. Connect with your neighbors by greeting those out enjoying nature and seeing how tranquil you feel in your surroundings.
Gardening
Another way to reconnect is to spend time gardening. This doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Even several pots of herbs outside that you can take care of help bring you closer to nature. Planting seeds and watching them grow gives us a deeper appreciation for the food we eat, the nutrients our food provides us, and the process it has to go through before it nourishes us. Plus, gardening allows us to spend time outside, connect with natural elements like soil, and deepens our relationship with nature and ourselves. Organically grown plants from a home garden are incredibly nourishing to the body, and we can take pride in the fruits of our labor as we eat them and appreciate their nourishment.
When I plant my garden, I sense a renewed connection to the Earth when my hands touch the dirt, and my knees meet the ground. My love for gardening has brought me healing.
As of this writing, my mother died a year ago, and I am still learning to live with the void she left in my life. We were close and shared many interests, including a love of gardening. I’ll never forget her excitement when she discovered baby tomatoes growing on the vine. Gardening makes me feel closer to her in spirit, and it reminds me how life is continually renewed, bringing me a sense of inner peace.
Every day, when I water my plants, it takes me right to a moment in my mom’s garden – I can suddenly see her talking to her plants, trimming the roses, harvesting squash and tomatoes, and whispering in my ears, “When you take care of something and give it all your love, you will see it flourish. This gives you a sense of accomplishment.”
Planting and caring for gardens greatly benefit the environment. If you want to give back to nature, gardening is a great way to do so because it provides safe havens for pollinators like bees and butterflies. What you put into your garden will be returned in plenty.
The Mountains
Hiking in the mountains creates a special connection with ourselves through nature. When we hike in the mountains, we take a journey that challenges us to traverse different terrain and complete the hike or journey we’ve set out on. This is a larger metaphor for life; when we complete challenges, such as a hike, it builds our self-esteem and confidence in ourselves. It confirms our ability to complete a task physically and mentally.
The mountains are like a playground, with trees, rocks, streams, and animals for us to observe and appreciate. Mountains are regarded as highly spiritual in many religions around the world. Metaphorically, the mountains bring us closer to the heavens and a higher power. The mountains are also a place of peace and cleansing. The air is fresh, life is abundant, and resources are plentiful.
Make Nature a Priority
Nature gives us mental peace, restores our spirit, connects us with a higher power, nourishes our physical bodies, and connects us as humans. Even 20 minutes a day out in nature can help restore your spirit and bring peace to your mind during stressful times. It can help bring new perspectives and remind us that there is something out there so much bigger than ourselves.
Make time to connect with family and friends by going on a picnic or decompress by sitting under a tree and reading a book. Go camping to create family memories and allow your children to have early exposure to nature. This will help them better appreciate the world around them and what’s important. The more we teach future generations to appreciate and enjoy nature, the healthier and happier our world will become.
