Feeling Unwell? Get Back to Nature

These Challenging Times

Lately, I find myself thinking a lot about health and wellness.  Under the stress of a global pandemic, life has shifted dramatically from what it once was. I don’t get up and go to work every morning or send my kiddos off to school. The grocery store gives me the heebeegeebees. I worry over every little sniffle or cough of a loved one.  And when I see a person walking toward me, I turn the other way. In other words, the rules have changed.  And I (well, we) have had to adjust.

But adjustments come with a lot of sharp feelings and emotions.  I personally feel like I have an emotional itch that I can’t quite scratch. And I know that I am one of the lucky ones.  (Which makes me feel even more” itchy”.)  So how do we take care of ourselves in this time of isolation and stress? I decided to ask an expert. 

Seeking Help

I reached out to Ryan Reese several months ago about going on a hike with me.  An expert on EcoWellness, I thought it would be interesting to walk and talk about the nature-human connection from a scientific perspective.  We didn’t connect right away, so I let it drop.  But when the pandemic really began taking its toll and we were all being asked to “stay home,” I knew I had to get him on the phone. Maybe he had some ideas for how to deal with all those itchy feelings.

Nature is my Therapist

Over the years, nature has become my own personal brand of therapy.  Being in nature, especially on a hike, gives me a greater sense of well-being.  And, according to Ryan, that is not without a scientific basis.  There has been a lot of research around the benefits of spending time in nature.  Nature is medicine for the mind.  It reduces stress.  It helps with cognitive processes like focus and attention. Nature is also a bonding force between people.  Research has shown that people that interact in more natural environments are more connected and kind to one another. There have been studies looking at how nature may even reduce crime.  The list goes on and on.  

Then of course are all the personal anecdotes.  Ryan shared how nature shaped his life. From his adolescence into early adulthood, Ryan experienced his own depression.  During his summers in college, Ryan was an Alaskan fishing guide and spending time in nature became a day-to-day experience for him. Nature broadened Ryan’s identity, and in many ways, helped him transcend depression. Watching others interact in nature also gave him an appreciation for how nature can be experienced differently by different people, thoughts that ultimately guided him towards his chosen profession. 

Like many, I too have battled depression during a few periods in my life and have discovered the restorative power of nature.  If I feel myself slipping into a dark place, overwhelmed by life, or not wanting to do anything at all, that is when I lace up my hiking shoes and hit the trail.  

On Being EcoWell

However, according to Ryan, despite the onslaught of research into the human-nature connection in recent years there are still some major gaps in the literature. One of them being the application of the human-nature connection in counseling and other “helping professions.”  

So with the support of Jane E. Myers, during his doctorate Ryan led the way by developing a framework, termed EcoWellness, that incorporates the scientific underpinnings of the human-nature connection as part of a holistic wellness model. Ryan’s goal now is to bring EcoWellness into applied settings and endeavour to close the literature gap. 

According to Ryan, EcoWellness is a connection to nature that can only be achieved through safe, confident interactions with the natural environment.  It requires intentional process oriented experiences in nature that allow for opportunities for transcendence, resulting in enhanced spirituality and empathy for people and places.  Just like any healthy human relationship, it takes work to develop a personal connection with nature, but just being present and open is a good first step. 

With Intention

Which brings me back to the itchy emotions I have been feeling lately, and the reason I why I reached out to Ryan to talk now.  In addition to physically distancing ourselves from other people, many have decided to sever their ties with nature. Being told “stay home,”and conflicting opinions regarding what that exactly means, has put a damper on experiencing nature.  And with all the other terrible consequences of COVID-19, losing time in nature seems like a small sacrifice. But it doesn’t have to be. 

I asked Ryan what advice he had for staying ecowell during these difficult times.  And the short answer is: go outside!  Staying indoors is not recommended.  As long as you can get outside safely, do it!    

Ryan recommended spending at least 15 minutes, two times a day, intentionally connecting with nature in order to really soak in the benefits.  Whether that be through direct interactions or indirectly, through imagery or sounds in an indoor environment. The important thing is to be mindful and intentional about the process. 

Also, remember, nature doesn’t have to mean wilderness.  Nature can be found in a local park, neighborhood, or even a single tree. It is regular interaction that is most important to developing a connection with nature.  So if you can’t make it out to some of your favorite hikes because trails or closed, dip your toes in the nature you can access daily.  

Tips to Make the Most of It

Ryan also offered some tips for how to make the most of a visit with nature.  1) Leave technology behind.  It can really distract from the experience.  2) Set an intention. Fully engage in the natural environment. 3) Practice mindfulness.  Ryan mentioned that there are a lot of great apps that can help with this.  He also cautions against getting into a shame cycle if you find the practice difficult. 4) Connect often, especially if you find your lifestyle greatly altered. In addition to longer bouts with nature, tapping into the connection every hour, even for a moment, can be beneficial. 

Small Stuff

During the writing of this blog post, I probably went on nothing short of 3-4 short walks around my neighborhood.  With a lot of my time spent working on a computer at home, neighborhood walks and runs have become my daily dose of nature.  I find I need these daily doses.  And though I haven’t been able to visit the mountains or coast for a while now (I do miss them), I am grateful for the small pockets of the natural world that I have been able to find. 

It is easy to neglect certain aspects of our wellness when there is so much pain and chaos around us, but I encourage you to resist the urge to let nature go.  Instead, find new ways to build the relationship.  In my humble opinion, we need it more than ever.  

Be EcoWell. 

Ryan Reese is an assistant professor at Oregon State University, Cascades Campus. He has a Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education from University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He is a licensed professional counselor and is an EMDR certified therapist.