By Andrés Muñoz
One of my most insightful moments of the pandemic was four months into the lockdown. My life was an endless cycle of starting my laptop at 7:30 am and working all day until late into the evening. After several months of this slow and tedious rhythm, the walls of my room were closing in on me.
The house felt like a prison; the air was always stuffy, and my mind was weak and dulled. “I can no longer live like this”, I thought.
I booked a plane to a seaside town and spent most of a month living in a hostel. The change of scenery made me refocus my habits. I’d wake up, start working later and close my laptop at a reasonable time. Then I’d go to the beach.
Walking or just sitting there, watching the endless waves hit the shore, gave me the serenity and peace of mind I desperately needed. Taking a break from city life and reconnecting with nature was a much-needed balm for a mind riddled with uncertainty and anxiety.
I found it vital to take a break and reconnect with nature—and I am not alone. Let’s explore how these moments in the great outdoors can be crucial for our well-being, especially when we’re feeling the weight of stress and burnout.
Nature As A Healer
Whether you spend time walking in a forest, hiking up a mountain, or sitting in the sand and silently watching the vastness of the ocean, exposure to nature is of extreme importance. It forces you to unplug yourself from the comings and goings of city life.
Being in a faraway place, perhaps without a phone signal, focuses you on the elements around you and not the screen in front of you. The social media apps you desperately and mindlessly cling to are gone; all that is left is the immensity of the world around you. From a mindfulness perspective, you can finally live in the here and now.
From a physiological perspective, spending time in nature reduces your stress levels. Doctors Alan Ewert and Yun Chang state in the Behavioral Sciences journal that visiting natural environments lowers stress levels physically and psychologically. They got test subjects to go to a natural park, a semi-urban setting, and an urban-built exercise facility; the data showed lower stress hormones such as cortisone and α-amylase in the participants who went to the park.
Your Body Will Thank You: Nature And Physical Exercise
Studies have also indicated risks to extended sedentary behaviour. Jung Ha Part et al. indicate that several studies correlate sedentary behaviours to cardiovascular disease mortality, cancer risk, metabolic diseases, and musculoskeletal diseases like knee complications and osteoporosis.
I remember a conversation a few years ago between a person who was a hardcore sedentarian and a couple who lived in the wilderness:
“What do you do in your free time if there’s no Netflix or Amazon Video?”
“Well, you wake up early and hike up a mountain. You take in all the beauty that’s around you.”
“But what do you do the next day?”
“You look at the mountain next to it and hike that one!”
Engaging in physical activity in nature counteracts the elements a sedentary lifestyle might generate. Nature walks, watersports, camping, and other such hobbies force your body and muscles to stay active and engage in cardiovascular activity.
Nature As A Sanctuary
The beachside weeks during the pandemic spurred my desire to live in the great outdoors. Soon after, I lived in a mountain cabin for a few months. Working remotely surrounded by nature was an entirely different experience compared to the city. I had a view and a lovely fireplace by my side, and I could take a break and explore the forests around me when I felt like it. It was the polar opposite of my environment during lockdown.
Living in the mountains provided me with more than just a change of scenery. It was a transformative experience, offering me mental clarity and the space to grow as a person. It’s a testament to the power of nature to inspire and nurture, even amid modern life’s stresses.
All in all, nature is a solid remedy for navigating the stresses of modern life. It’s been proven in several ways that disconnecting from technology and basking in the natural world reduces stress hormones, encourages physical activity, and provides mental clarity.
Whether walking in the park or hiking in the mountains, nature can be a healing experience. It boosts overall well-being and reminds us of the simple joys that exist beyond the digital screen.
What healing have you experienced by being in the great outdoors? Your experiences are valuable and can inspire others. Share your stories with us in the comments section below, and let’s continue to build a supportive community around the healing power of nature.