I am excited to see this article “90 Minutes in Nature Really Change the Brain” (http://www.futurity.org/nature-depression-951762/) highlighting some great research from Stanford University.
For so many years I lived a city life in apartment buildings and townhouses, keeping my sanity by escaping on weekends for camping trips and by keeping my hands dirty in the community garden. As I got caught up in the allure of modern life and professional success, I had less and less time for nature and felt more and more guilty about the small amounts of “unproductive” time I spent in the park. My ugly side took over … the grouchy sharp taskmaster moved into our house. Fortunately, or not, it was not fun for me either, and finally I called mercy.
With a bold declaration to live close to the land, to be loving and happy, and to do the work I’m passionate about, I made some major changes. The one with the most impact on my life overall has been moving to the country on Vashon Island. I can’t escape nature here. Even when I get buried in emails or over schedule meetings, she won’t let me evade her. The chickens and the goats need attention; rain dots my glasses as I run across the yard to my office; in the summer dinner is in the garden; in the winter fuel for heating is in the wood shed. It is a beautiful way to live, and I’m much happier and more able to be kind and loving.
Looking back I can’t remember a time from childhood and adolescence to now when nature wasn’t a significant support in hard times, yet I deprioritized it. In retrospect, I’m astounded by myself and humbled by the power of cultural messaging about what is important.
I’m compelled to help others see how important nature connection is, and bring it as a significant component of my coaching practice.
Are you willing to make time in nature a priority?
Join me for a walk in the woods on Vashon.
Grace says
What a beautiful post! It’s so true that nature is where we come from and where we belong, it helps so tremendously to balance our busy and high pressure life by reconnect with nature.
Kathleen says
I very much liked this reflection of Caroline.
I was impressed when she shared that she needed to put herself in a place where she would have to pay attention to nature to Earth and her relationship and connection to it. I hear too an echo of joy as she considers her connection to the chickens, to the goats and to the garden…how it made her a kinder person.