Getting away from the doldrums of a predictable and scheduled life to reconnect with nature is essential to our well-being.
The repercussions of disconnection can manifest in a variety of ways such as feelings of anger, depression, loneliness and unworthiness. These feelings stymie our personal growth, our relationships and our productivity. Our technology-driven world often makes it nearly impossible to disconnect from our man-made reality and be reminded of our true nature and life purpose.
As a child, I found peace, safety and curiosity outdoors. Although I didn’t grow up surrounded by woods, I always found ways to search nearby creeks for rocks and critters, play under the soft branches of the weeping willow tree in my manicured backyard or sneak away with my best friend to what we called Bee’s Bridge, a natural haven away from parents and older siblings next to some railroad tracks. I felt then, like most children, that we weren’t separate from nature but that grown-ups were too busy to see its magic like we did. Now that I’m grown, I am finding myself to be that grown-up, too busy to see the magic of the natural world as much as I like it. Being aware of this disconnect is half the battle and a motivator to get back to those warm fuzzy at-home feelings in nature I had as a child.
I took a recent trip to the Banff area of Canada, partly for work and partly for adventure. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been with snow-covered peaks and lush green valleys surrounding the bluest glacial lakes imaginable and waterfalls in every direction. Wildlife is so abundant that we lost count of the creatures we saw.
At first, I was annoyed by the lack of cell phone coverage. I worried that if the shop needed me for something, I would be unreachable and that something would go wrong. Eventually, though, I just gave in and embraced being mostly disconnected and used the opportunity to reconnect with my true self surrounded by nature and kindred spirits.
After just a couple of days, my brain and heart frequencies reset to a new normal, perhaps the normal nature intended. My anxieties subsided, my internal clock was reset and I had more energy than I’ve had in a very long time. I knew that my business and my children were cared for back home and all I had to worry about was just being me and just experiencing life at this moment. I had an overwhelming feeling of hope, joy and connection. I also felt more focused and creative. I felt like a kid again, free to explore and be curious just for curiosity sake.
Being more mindful
Since the return back home to predictability, schedules and responsibilities, I’ve tried to be more mindful to take time to reconnect to myself through nature in little moments and in deliberate ways.
I have recently tried to incorporate a meditation practice into my life and have found my mind drifting to those childhood havens, safe amongst nature. Studies published in Frontiers in Psychology have shown that meditation and exposure to natural imagery can rewire brain activity and improve emotional well-being. These sorts of connections have incredible health benefits, including stress-reduction and fewer incidences of depression. Additionally people experience renewed focus and higher productivity.
While in Banff, I learned a simple way of reconnecting to nature that doesn’t require a hike or an international trip. Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed, a native plant expert, shared with us a connection practice from an elder of the Blackfoot Confederacy. I have taken what we heard and have incorporated additional imagery that feels more personal to me in the environment we live in. I encourage you to find something that speaks to you here and make it into something that you will relate to and use to help you feel and see that we are not just connected to nature, we are nature where balance, childhood curiosity and magic still exist.
Get comfortable and close your eyes.
Take your fingers and run them through your hair without judgment, feeling its texture. Your hair is just like the marsh grass. It grows in patterns gleefully flowing in the wind unencumbered.
Make a loose fist and glide your fingers across your knuckles. They are just like the mountains, sturdy and supportive.
Open your hand and trace the lines on your palm. They are like rivers connecting the mountains to the sea, bringing experience and grit along to move through any currents and eddies.
Place your hands over your heart and breathe. Feel the air move in and out of your lungs nourishing every cell in your body just like the trees harnessing the sun’s energy to release oxygen giving life force to the planet.
Toni Reale is the owner of Roadside Blooms, a unique flower, crystal and plant shop at 4491 Durant Ave., North Charleston. Online at roadsideblooms.com.
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