By Emma Di Salvo
When our lives are so hectic, it’s easy to feel disconnected from ourselves and the world. It’s also easy to forget the importance of taking time out to prioritise self-care. Our lives are dominated by social media, celebrity gossip, reality TV and adverts telling us precisely what we need to be more fulfilled. But it’s time to put our phones away, turn off our TVs, and return to nature—where we belong.
The healing power of nature is extraordinary. It’s free and all around us, yet many of us don’t utilise it, sticking to the same old routine (which, for me, tends to involve a lot of time at home). So, how can we tap into the power of nature and incorporate it into our lives? Let’s find out!
Ecotherapy
Ecotherapy involves harnessing the effects of the environment for our emotional and mental well-being. It’s about being at one with nature and truly present in the moment. Taking a step back and observing the beauty of our surroundings can be an incredibly humbling and eye-opening experience.
Coming in many forms, it can be as simple as taking a stroll through the forest and breathing in some good, clean fresh air, participating in a group activity, or involving a trained professional. I like participating in group work, where everyone works together to do something good for the environment, such as planting trees or collecting rubbish.
While I agree that self-reflection is healthy, I also worry that we spend too much time focusing on ourselves and have become, dare I say it, rather self-obsessed. Taking time out to think of others and our planet is crucial if we want to switch off from our daily lives and truly appreciate nature.
Meditation
People have been using meditation to find inner peace for centuries. The true meaning of meditation is to feel a deep connection to ourselves by focusing on breathing and allowing our body and mind to enter a phase of total relaxation. You can feel re-energised, and your overall well-being can be enhanced. Many people meditate outdoors and somewhere secluded and quiet.
Holiday companies like Agoda offer retreat packages, including meditation and mindfulness workshops. A friend recently returned from such a trip to Bali and said it was a truly captivating experience. Meditating in nature can heal and inspire, and it has long been a muse for many songwriters, poets and artists. It’s no surprise that people often “go for a walk,” after a big fight or when they’ve got an important decision to make.
The Benefits
A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology discovered that people who spend more time doing nature-based activities experience higher levels of overall life satisfaction than those who do not. Immersing oneself in nature has also been shown to reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure and help alleviate symptoms of depression.
Approximately 280 million people worldwide suffer from depression; happening to anyone, at any age, at any time in their life, making it something we should all care about. It can be an extremely debilitating disease, and while I encourage anyone experiencing symptoms of depression to seek medical advice first and foremost, being outdoors and taking part in regular exercise can be a massive help in the healing process.
Go On An Adventure
If meditation isn’t your cup of tea, and you crave adventure, there are many other ways to connect with nature. One of the best things I ever did was speed boating on vacation. The fast pace, wind, and scenery were truly a wonderful experience. I felt as if I had a backstage pass to the island where I was staying, and witnessing the flora and fauna of the area was exhilarating yet relaxing all at once.
You may want to experience nature but also want to get a little exercise too. Pull on your boots and go hiking, something I have really enjoyed. What’s great about hiking is that it is truly an adventure. You’re in it rather than just seeing nature from a distance as you would if on a speed boat.
You can feel the trees, the leaves, the ground. It’s a much more personal and perhaps intimate way of reconnecting to nature. But remember to please check out the route before you embark on your journey, and let someone know you are going! Safety first, people.
We should be grateful that we can harness nature’s healing power for our benefit. As a species, we don’t always treat our home respectfully, yet the world provides beauty and opportunities for us to enjoy.
Make the time to get away, appreciate your surroundings, and know that you don’t have to take a picture of everything you see. Leave your phone at home or tucked away in your bag and truly immerse yourself. You won’t regret it!