Nature's Free Medicine
I think what attracts me so much to the outdoors and nature, is simply that it makes me feel happy. This is why I identified with what Holli-Anne Passmore, an Edmonton researcher, was discussing in a radio interview about the importance of noticing every bit of nature around you – even if it’s a plant on your desk.
In the interview she states: “I think sometimes people seem to think it’s more of a kind of left-wing tree-hugger kind of thing, but there is a great deal of science behind it. We know that when people notice nature, and not necessarily even just spend extra time, but just notice it, we know it enhances our positive emotions, our sense of what I call transcendent connectedness. So that is feeling just connected to everything and everybody, and that’s an important aspect of meaning in life”.
When listening to this I remembered a mountain bike ride I was on in Cumberland during a recent winter night. It was pitch black out except for a skinny moon and the beams of our bike lights. A couple friends and I seemed to be the only ones in the trails. At one point, near a clear cut, we had a view overlooking the city. In the dark, the large quiet emptiness in front of me, accompanied by the distant lights of the city and the moon gave me a feeling of awe or maybe “transcendent connectedness”. It made me feel alive. Later, I felt very grateful for having had that experience.
Another time this winter, I was on a walk in Seal Bay Park, in Comox, with my son and our dog. When we stepped into the woods I immediately felt the fresh air, the companionship with my son and had memories of being there with him when he was much smaller. After taking the winding path down to the beach, a loon greeted us, as well as a seal. Then the black and white feathers of a downy woodpecker caught our eyes as it perched on the branches of a tree, that had its roots entangled around a boulder. Another nearby tree was hanging over the beach and had large saplings growing vertically out of its angled trunk so they comically appeared to be growing in the air.
I later wondered why I enjoyed the walk so much and why I felt so good after. It was cold and damp and just a short outing. We didn’t see any spectacular views or the sunshine at all. It was very “everyday”. It made me realize how simply noticing little things in nature can have a profound effect on my mood, an effect that has been verified in studies by Passmore and others. I think this positive effect is stronger when you aren’t expecting anything, and you’re just in the moment. I also think that changing it up a bit and visiting somewhere you haven’t been in awhile helps peak this awareness.
When I am in nature, taking an extra moment to acknowledge where I am at: what I am seeing, hearing or feeling, opens me up to be able to experience that sense of awe. The dew on the grass lit by the sun, the interesting shape of a cloud or an unexpected warm breeze – makes me feel good and may even boost my immune system – like taking vitamins. These feelings will elevate the rest of my day or week. By appreciating nature without making myself the centre (for example, not having expectations or being totally lost in repeating thoughts), I feel more centred inside. In this way, being in nature and noticing what is around me, has become a large part of what keeps me healthy, happy and feeling alive.
