The therapeutic effects of nature can help you live a more fulfilled life.

Are you in a place in life where you feel burned out, lack motivation, or don’t even remember what inspires you? Would you like to improve your health and well-being, and restore your focus and confidence? All of this is possible by experiencing nature.

As a young boy, I often roamed the countryside where I was raised. Here I learned about the soothing qualities of nature as I watched birds in flight and tall grass sway in the breeze.  I recognized how nature’s smells and sounds brought me pleasing feelings. I viewed nature as pure and rejuvenating and always wanted to explore wild places. I would look to the distant mountains and tell myself that when I grow up, I am going to those mountains. As a man, I have refined my appreciation for nature through understanding her better. Now I spend my time in the mountains, deserts, and canyons near my home. What has remained consistent since childhood is that I still regard natural places as pure and beautiful.

Over the years, I have come to realize that nature has healing properties. What I experienced as a boy carried on into adulthood, as I often escape into nature for solace. Just last week I got up early and hiked a popular Boise foothills trail with my dogs, Charlie and Shadow. I was feeling stressed over normal societal burdens and realized I was growing distant from who I know I am. That is when I understood I was in need of nature’s rejuvenating therapy and set my heart on this early morning hike.

There are growing bodies of science proving that nature makes us happier, healthier, and more creative. Researchers have found that being in natural places results in decreased blood pressure and stress hormones (like cortisol), increased overall well-being, and diminished feelings of frustration.

   Nature has many positive effects on people. When I disappear into Idaho's remote wilderness for days on end, I notice changes in both my attitude and physical body. I start to focus less on the challenges in my life and more on my surroundings. I gain clarity as my problems fade away. I always leave nature renewed with higher well-being and tangible joy.  

But when I first arrive at a trailhead, many of my thoughts center around the deal that fell apart at work or how I feel less than in terms of success and financial achievement.

And then there’s the world around us. I get worked up over politics and the multitude of disturbing headlines that dominate the news world. Yellow journalism, the sensationalistic form of delivering news solely to gain viewership without regard to meaningful content, is now mainstream. Unfortunately, these disturbing headlines are the ones that get the most attention and also create the highest levels of anxiety.  

Social media also plays into our mental and emotional states. It can lead to feelings of inadequacy as we are shown posts of people living perfect lives, in a perfect house with the perfect family. Comparing our lives to theirs can lead to feelings of despair.  Nature realigns our position in life allowing us to recenter and be proud of our own accomplishments as we gain real perspective about our own truths.

Social media companies, and big tech as a whole, bombard us with ads and content designed to influence our decisions in politics and purchasing, conforming us to their desires. All of this hijacks our thoughts and intentions in ways that leave us less confident, self-deflated, and distant from our true selves. Over short periods of time, you may forget what is important and who you really are.

We must be mindful about what we mentally consume because that which we give our attention to will grow and expand.

 In today’s society, we are all guilty of giving our phones too much of our attention. They are an integral part of our daily lives and are indeed great tools that allow us to communicate with ease and capture special moments. However, they also alert us of the latest bad news and chime to let us know that Jack and Jill bought a $10 million home and sent their kids to Princeton. Notifications ping to tell us there’s a new Pinterest pin or that your favorite YouTube channel just posted a new video. Then it’s the buzzing reminder of your next appointment and the ding pressuring you to purchase that thing now because there is only one left. All of these things are distractions, disturbances, and agitations. Who we really are can easily get lost in all of the noise that has become our daily lives. 

 Nature has the power to ground us and remind us what is important in life. As distractions fade away and the trail opens up, our mind is given a break from the constant tug for attention and is stimulated instead by the natural processes of nature. 

After several days of connecting with nature, I always forget about the big problems I left back in society. I feel positive and happy as nature filters into my body and mind. I notice the smells of the forest, the sounds of birds, the flowing creeks, and the feeling of a subtle breeze across my skin. Conversations with nature are not spoken but felt! She communicates with us in the same ways she did with our ancestors thousands of years ago, but we have forgotten her soothing voice. She has been replaced by television, Spotify, deadlines, traffic lights, and task lists.   

The cumulative effects of experiencing nature are harmony with our surroundings and contentment with self. The additive influence of nature’s gifts leads to feelings of happiness and belonging while the sounds, sights, and fragrance lead to solace and peace as we learn to love ourselves again. Being in nature, even if only for 60 minutes, can have profound positive effects on our emotions and attitudes.

Disappearing into natural areas for days at a time will renew your spirit for life by recentering your thoughts to those of your own choosing. You’ll remember the things you want to accomplish and feel confident pursuing them. Nature’s simplicity speaks in gentle, reassuring whispers, replacing despair with confidence and hope.

If you feel directed by society’s design rather than your own aspirations, go to nature and listen for her voice. If you don’t remember what brings you joy, you will benefit from nature’s lullaby. Do you despair over your place in life? Have you found yourself just surviving, rather than living a life of abundance and joy? Nature awaits the downtrodden and lost, the brokenhearted and agitated, and delivers hopeful optimism. 

The therapy of nature is available to everyone. It is the park near your house, the green belt in your city, the nearby countryside, and the hiking trails found on AllTrails (AllTrails.com). Our public lands and national parks are perfect resources. Look for a hiking group on Facebook and purchase trail guides from bookstores and online. Nature is there for you if you seek her out. And when you do, I promise that you will gain renewed perspective and harmony each time you spend time with her.

Article and photos by Shane Davila

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Shane Davila is a landscape photographer and voice for nature. He actively promotes both the renewing qualities of nature and the need to protect her from the ravages of man. See more of Shane’s writing and nature photographs by visiting www.wildscenic.com. 

 All images and written content are the intellectual and copyrighted property of Shane Davila ©2022 - ∞.