It’s quite surprising that it has taken me 17 blog posts until sharing some thoughts regarding my appreciation for the healing powers of nature but, here we are. I’ll try and keep this one relatively short and sweet; besides, I find the feelings that are stirred within me whilst being outdoors are beyond verbal expression a lot of the time. I will also try my best to not sound like a complete and utter hippy.
Forests are, without a doubt, one of my favourite places to aimlessly stroll around, come rain or shine. During summer, the combination of tall grasses, sketchy rope swings and the warmth of the sun is usually enough to invoke a sense of playfulness within that connects us straight to the ‘inner child’. Building dens is one thing that springs straight to mind when I think about summertime in the woods; a nostalgic feeling that always brings me nothing but pure joy. Throughout the colder months, things get a little more serious; the winter boots come out and waterproofs are thrown on ready in time for mushroom foraging season…my favourite autumnal activity.
I remember during the pandemic, to keep mentally sane, the only thing that I found would keep my unkind thoughts at bay was to wrap up and head out deep into the woods to see what different types of mushrooms I could find. I have, of course, carried this ritual on and it’s something that I look forward to every single year. For me, it’s a form of escapism from my own whirring brain and allows me to not only explore the forest floor and uncover vibrant pieces of natural art, but it also inspires me to learn about the intricacies of mycelium and it’s role in quietly operating beneath the surface to support the ecosystem of the WHOLE forest (which certainly spun my head a bit and definitely is topic I could ramble on about for hours. Don’t worry, I’ll leave it there).
Stepping into the outdoors and leaving behind the hustle and bustle of everyday life, even for a couple of hours, does wonders for the body and mind. I find that my senses are wonderfully amplified while I’m out walking in the woods or through farmland; there are countless sounds, scents, and sights to absorb. There have been numerous times when I have found myself stepping back and closing my eyes to tune in to my surroundings, and I tend to notice my anxious thoughts slowly start to dissolve as the sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling flood my mind. If life feels overwhelming or if trivial problems start to overcloud what’s truly important, nature forces me back down to earth, offers me a safe place to take some deep breaths, and reminds me to trust in the process of life. Spending time mindfully in nature almost forces you out of your toxic thoughts and into your body as you turn off that internal dialogue, let go of distractions, and focus on the present moment.
Life gets busy; we are programmed, whether we like it or not, to work ourselves to exhaustion and are taught early on to consume excessively in order to feel whole. In my experience, the constant grind of work, consumption and accumulation can weigh heavily both on the mind and soul. Yet, a temporary escape into the tranquility of nature offers a profound reminder that true happiness often comes from simplicity, revealing that we don’t need much to create a fulfilling life for ourselves. As cliché as it sounds, money can’t truly buy us happiness and the meaning of this resonates more and more with me after spending time alone or in the company of friends in the countryside or sat lounging underneath the sunset on a random hill.
I am no ecotherapist and I only base what I write on my own experiences because it’s what I enjoy doing, but if I could offer any advice to anyone who has an itch to practice some mindfulness, I would say take some time out for yourself once a day to go for a walk. Whether it’s for 20 minutes or hours at a time, the benefits will be revealed in ways that you wouldn’t even expect. Watch your cortisol levels drop. Feel your mood improve. Watch your creativity start to flow. Encourage yourself to put your screens down (easier said than done, especially if you enjoy taking photos) or put your phone on silent. Although walking, running, and similar activities are excellent for mental health, they may not completely solve your problems. However, from what I've observed, they certainly provide a vital space to reflect and process your thoughts in an environment devoid of artificial distractions. An inner revelation that I am forever grateful for.
‘In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful.’
- Alice Walker
m.m x
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