Nature: The Best Kind of Therapist.
Today I am handing the blog over to Kate from Writing it Today, she is talking all about how nature can be a great kind of natural therapy and how you can easily bring it into your life.
Why Being Around Nature is Good for Your Wellbeing.
Hi, I’m Kate from writingittoday —a lifestyle blog with a focus on creative wellbeing. A huge thank you to Sarah and Life in a Break Down for having me today.
We all are guilty of leading busy lives. There’s always something that needs doing; emails that need answering, work that won’t wait, washing up that is waving hello from the kitchen. When you throw social media into the mix, and that need for immediacy—with our lives at our fingertips we are so often expecting instant results from ourselves and others—sometimes it can feel overwhelming. We need to take a step back and regroup.
Nature
One way of reconnecting with ourselves is through nature. Spending time outdoors is well known to help relieve stress and anxiety, and we all know the positive impact of a bit of sunshine on our faces.
If we can connect at least once a day with nature, we can increase our positive wellbeing and keep ourselves more grounded. Most of us have the ability to head outdoors and soak up nature for at least five minutes a day.
And why wouldn’t you want to when:
- Breathing in phytoncides—natural airborne plant chemicals—increase our white blood cells and therefore strengthen our immunity.
- Vitamin D—from the sunshine (yes even in the UK)—is essential for a well-functioning body.
- Direct skin contact with soil triggers the release of Serotonin—a natural mood stabiliser—in our body.
- Natural sunlight also helps to stimulate Serotonin, so if you throw in a bit of exercise to trigger Dopamine—the happy neurotransmitter—then you’ll be rewarded with a positive outlook and increased wellbeing.
Of course, there are endless other reasons why heading outside is good for us, that is simply a snapshot. And when I talk about getting outside, I don’t mean heading out for a 10-mile hike or landscaping your garden, it’s not about the big things. There are a number of different, achievable ways to soak up the goodness of nature.
Ecotherapy in its Simplest Forms
Walking
Head outside and walk. If you can, head to a park or another green space, and spend a few minutes walking, being mindful of the surroundings. Count the birds, listen to the wind in the trees, spot beautiful flowers, or just take a moment to inhale the open air.
Collectables
Head out into a wood and collect parts of nature that you find interesting. Be it leaves, wood bark, feathers, petals, or twigs (of course don’t take anything that will damage the environment or wildlife). These items could be used to make art projects, or you could simply keep them to use in a mindful way for when getting outside is not possible.
Bird Watching
Keep an eye on the sky and try to spot different species of birds. You don’t need to know them or name them, although learning this can be fun too. Just noticing their differing traits is enough. You could set up a bird feeder at the window if it’s not easy to get outside. Or, if birds aren’t your thing, look for insects, worms, cats and dogs if you’re not rural, or butterflies.
Litter Picking
This is something we should all be doing anyway. Not only will it get you outside, it will increase your positive wellbeing through engaging with the environment in a helpful way. Stay safe by wearing gloves if you’d like.
Cloud Watching
Find a safe space to lie down and stare up at the sky. Or, if you can’t get to the floor, find a seat that allows you a good view. Spot the clouds and—just like you did when you were a child—make shapes and characters from them. We spend so much time looking down, whether it’s at the pavement or the screen in our hands, that reconnecting with the sky is powerful. It can put life into perspective in an instant.
Bring the Outside in
For those who are less fortunate and can’t get outside, try to bring the outside in. You could go about your everyday activities in front of a window. Or draw up a chair by a patio door and sit and enjoy the breeze on your skin. Download some nature noises—waves, birdsong, or crickets—and listen to them with your eyes closed.
There you have it. Why nature is the best therapist, and some ideas at how to work with her for a brighter, more positive wellbeing. Let me know how you get on, or if you have any other ideas for connecting with nature in a positive way.
Author Bio:
Kate, found at Writing It Today, focuses on lifestyle, parenting, and creative wellbeing. She has over seven years of experience as a therapist and 15 years as a creative writer; which includes several published novels and a couple of films!
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Love these ideas.
I do enjoy going for a walk whenever I feel inundated.
Getting out in nature is always an incredible cure for stress and anxiety. It grounds me aand makes me feel more relaxed
Great blog post, I always feel so much better when I’ve been out walking or gardening, it really lifts my mood.
im going to try some of these ideas to cope with my ms symptoms
Love this post. I always feel better after going for a walk or doing a bit of gardening.
these are great tips, nature doesnt get enough credit
I have learnt a new word today: Ecotherapy. It makes a lot of sense! Enjoyed reading the post. Thank you.
This is a beautiful post – nature is pretty stunning when you actually notice it properly (quite new to me ha!) – my hubba built a shed/hut thing so I could watch the wildlife behind our house – very relaxing
Nature and walking makes me feel alive, it doesnt matter on the weather it makes me feel good, watching nature on everyday life and fresh air in my lungs
Love this post. We should all try to experience nature more.
These are some great things to look out for in nature! It’s amazing how relaxing nature can be.
I always feel better after getting outdoors and going for a long walk. Nature is certainly a great therapy
I love being in nature, it’s actually one of the reasons why we moved so that we could be a little rural. I’ve noticed I spend almost all my time outside now as we live in the countryside, not only is it beautiful it’s also made me feel loads better. I was so ill with my hemiplegic migraines for years when I lived in London getting at least one a week, I’ve only had two since we’ve moved.
We love getting outside and getting fresh air and theres nothing better than feeling the sun on our faces x
I 100% agree with Kate, nature is the best therapist ever, every time when I am feeling funky I always drive to the nearest forest for a nice long walk.
These are wonderful ideas! I always feel at my best when I’m surrounded by the beauty of nature.
This is so true! I often stay inside more than I should, but I always feel better on the days when I’m outside for a while. A long walk outside is my favorite way to destress.
Interesting article. I find nature calming and have tried to help by having homes for bugs/bees/birds/hedgehogs etc in my garden. I’ve planted some young trees in pots on the patio near the window and put bird feeders in them. They’ve become quite popular so I get to enjoy the birds every day as well as the odd squirrel!
That’s why I like warm seasons because I can do my workout outdoors and enjoy the beauty of nature. One of my natural stress reliever too.
I like to set up my hammock in the yard and just listen to the critters doing their thing. Looking up into the sky and at the trees gives me such a calming feeling. I love how spending a little time out in nature can just change your whole mood!
I completely agree with this too. Nature can be so comforting and beautiful. I love being able to get outside in nature whenever I can.
I love being at one with nature. I was able to get up and close with wildlife and beautiful flora on my recent trip to Grenada in the Caribbean. It did me wonders.
I totally agree on this! Nature can really magically help us . Thank you for sharing this wonderful information.
Pretty nice to have a balance on nature from time to time. Disconnecting the the cyber world is so precious. The activities you suggested are spot on.
Nature is calming I particularly like the seaside and could watch the sea for hours it’s very soothing
I certainly think nature can be a great way to unwind and let go and really think!!
I drive a lot for work, so I love looking at the fields, the clouds, the wildflowers alongside the road. Now I know why!
Connecting with nature is such a calming thing. My favorite way is to sit on the beach and watch the tide ebb and flow. The birds fly by catch little fish in their mouths, and light sea breezes stroke my face and hair. It’s a perfect way to connect with nature and relax.
I love being out in nature. It truly is a great stress reliever, just seeing everything surrounding you that’s full of life.
Ooh, I definitely like having more excuses to spend time outside. The natural benefits are super nice!
That is where I head first when I need to do some serious thinking. I love to go on a good hike and am trying to do it more often these days.
This is really great. I love to get outside and wish we did spend more time just walking and taking in the beauty that is outside. I find when I do it clears my mind.
Fantastic ideas, I know I need to get outside more, and this is just the motivation I need. Thanks for sharing!
These are some great ideas. I find when I am overwhelmed that I do enjoy going for a walk and clearing my head.
Spending time outside is something I do lack in my life. My husband runs outside every morning and he comes back rejuvenated so I need to get my outdoor fix somehow especially in the warm weather.
Specially at school I notice with my daughter that sometimes she comes back home very stress out, so like you recommend here for her to relax we go for a walk, and she loves cloud watching as well!
Love this post. In a world where people are obsessed with material things, experiencing nature is such a pleasure.