Healing from traumatic events and estrangement can require many different avenues, but one that might be overlooked is spending time in nature. Nature has mental and physical health benefits and can be a useful tool when navigating PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other conditions.
Research suggests that spending time outside in forests, parks, and even gardens can alleviate anxiety, depression, and hyperarousal associated with PTSD. Nature can have calming and soothing effects on our nervous systems, reducing symptoms of PTSD. It can also provide a sense of escape from daily stressors. The sights, sounds, and smells of nature bring a sense of tranquility, promote mood-boosting chemicals, and even give us space to relax and reflect.
Nature can be a great aid in healing from trauma. It can create a safe space for us to exist in, one without judgment where we are able to process our emotions. Nature can invite us to be present and practice mindfulness. This can look like sitting quietly, watching a stream trickle by, listening to the birds sing, feeling your feet in the grass, or even smelling the pine trees as the wind blows through them. Nature can be grounding, helping us feel present in time and space, and also within our own bodies. You can use your five senses to reconnect to your body.
Nature can also bring a sense of perspective and reassurance as we are able to reconnect with our natural rhythms, watch the seasons change, see the sun sink below the horizon, and observe the cyclical life of plants. It is a reminder of resilience, change, and adaptation. It can remind us of our own growth and help us accept our own transformations. Physical activities outside can also help us feel empowered. By hiking up a steep hill, we are reminded of our strength and perseverance – our ability to overcome. It can also help us release tension and stress that we may be holding in our bodies.
Nature is a beautiful avenue to explore your healing journey in. I have found safety and peace within myself by spending time in nature. Being able to look to the horizon and feel that I am part of something greater than myself makes life feel beautiful again. I can watch the strength of the trees blowing in the wind, reminding me I can survive the storms that come my way. I can put my hands in the dirt and remember that I come from the Earth, that I am grounded, and living on this miraculous planet. It calms my nervous systems, ignites a sense of gratitude in myself, and teaches me to adapt to the changes that come my way.
So how do you start healing with nature? It doesn’t have to be a week-long backpacking trip. You can start small:
Go to a local garden or park and observe the plants
Find a viewpoint to watch sunset
Go on a walk on a local trail
Learn the names of your local birds and listen for their calls
Listen to the wind blow through the trees
Sit and sketch in your favorite natural space
Dip your toes in a local body of water
Sit in the grass and focus on your 5 senses
I invite you to explore nature while you heal.
***Disclaimer: Em is not a certified mental health professional. This article is written as peer-to-peer support for the Together Estranged Community. If you are having a psychiatric emergency, please seek professional help.
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