The Importance of a Connection to Nature
“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.”
― Henry David Thoreau, Walden
Our connection to nature is simply essential to our wellbeing.
I grew up in very rural New Zealand. There was a lot of mythology surrounding the landscape, places that were sacred, places you knew were dangerous or where you could find adventure, and places could offer safety or comfort. Beauty was easy to come by. We had great respect for the bush and the ocean and what they provided to us. We had a deep connection to nature.
Since then, I have lived a lot of my life in huge cities, London, Madrid, and now New York. I found that I had to really look for beauty in a different way. The way certain light hits a building, a shape in the cracks on the pavement, the creation of a shadow, even trash can be beautiful. I did also have to find a way to get my true connection with nature on a regular basis, otherwise I literally felt like I was wilting.
Now my family is lucky to have established quite an amazing balance. We were able buy some land in the woods upstate. Over the years, my husband has slowly built us an amazing holiday house. It is completely off grid. You need a x4 wheel drive to get there, it is self-sustaining with solar and hydropower, and, of course, it has a composting toilet! We have a wood burning hot tub and outdoor shower and we are surrounded by deep woods and a little stream. Nature is abundant and pretty much in charge. I use many of the wild flowers and plants to make healing tinctures; I grow and harvest teas; and I draw and paint. There is no Internet connection, my kids run wild and free; and I have to say it makes me truly happy. It has been the perfect balance for us to this crazy city life.
This scenario of course is not viable or even desirable for many city dwellers, but we all still need to establish a personal connection with nature.
Our surroundings have great affect on us. We all know unpleasant environments can lead us to feel anxious or cause tension, which, in turn, triggers our stress response causing a serge in stress hormones, digestional shifts, and the immune system being suppressed. Being in a pleasant environment reverses that. Simply being in nature can reduce our stress and has an immediate relaxing affect on our mind and body. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system and this aids with healing. Nature is intrinsic to our holistic wellness in so many ways.
For women in particular, tuning in to nature, its cycles and rhythms is important. The menstrual cycle is very much connected to the earth. We naturally connect to the cycle of the moon. The waxing and waning, the flow of the tides and changes in season are all reflected in our menstrual cycles.
We can become disassociated with this connection in city living with its constant electric light, ever-present screen light, and no connection natural light source.
When our bodies connect to these cycles in nature our energy is vital, we are not struggling against the natural flow of things. When we connect to our own natural ebb and flow of energy and mood during the month, we can lessen stress in the body, PMS symptoms, and immune system disfunction etc. In my healing sessions, there is usually some focus on this balance and connection.
Access to nature is of course extremely important for children as well as adults. We are now seeing scientific studies supporting the theory of ‘nature deprivation’ and ‘nature deficit disorder. Studies also show that time in nature can increase the attention span of children with ADHD and help the many children suffering in some way from long periods of being kept inside. Time in nature is a human right and really should be a part of all school curriculums. Not only for our wellbeing but also for the wellbeing of the planet. Get out regularly into the parks, open spaces, beaches – all accessible by subway and enjoy! Rain or shine, in the heat of summer or the chill of winter, the benefits are infinite.
We live in the age of distraction, because we are constantly thinking about what we need to do or what we should have done. In a mindfulness practice we try to bring ourselves into the present. Nature is always in the moment, it is vital, it is present. When we begin to engage with it, it can truly help us be mindful. To bring nature into your mindfulness practice, whether it be in the woods, at the beach, a park, or simply the tree on your street, be aware of the life going on around you, your senses responding, and allow yourself to be naturally bought into the present moment. You do not have to question or analyze or evaluate, there is clearly nothing for you to ‘do’ other than just be, just observe.
By being in this moment, letting the sensations and experience take place, you are able to find space from your emotions, making it possible to simply let them go. This allows clarity to settle over you, the fog of distraction lifts.
We all know that hours spent in front of a tv or computer screen with no connection to nature can lead to anxiety and depression. We all notice a shift in mood when we are in nature. This acknowledgement and a conscious decision to find balance is really what is required to make a change in your life.
I recommend making this connection part of your routine. Take the time to figure out how these balances are in your life currently and how they need to be adjusted.
Change your route to work to involve taking in some nature, it’s worth the extra minutes to do this, start scheduling in evening park visits, weekend walks, and beach strolls. Find out where your nearest community garden is and get involved. You are not too busy, this is not “wasting time,” it is part of your self-care plan. Give yourself permission to take this important time to make a connection and help your family do the same.
Brogan Ganley is a Women’s Health advocate, Meditation and Mindfulness teacher, Reiki healer who specializes in empowering both adults and children to make changes in their lives to relieve stress and anxiety and enhance wellness.