Studies have found that spending time in nature has a positive impact on emotional, cognitive and physical health (1-2).
I've certainly been observing this in action of late because if I haven’t been working or homeschooling, I've been spending most of my time outdoors. Hiking in the local nature reserves. Riding my bike through bush trails. Sitting and admiring the beauty of the trees, ferns, and rocks around me.
It's a wonder I haven't hurt myself yet, as I'm often looking up, searching the tree tops, hoping to spot my first koala out in the wild.
As I've been exploring, a number of epiphanies have landed. Perhaps 'epiphanies' isn't the right word though, the thoughts or realisations feel more like 're-remembering' things I already know. But either way they have been welcomed (re)realisations.
I thought I'd share these with you today.
Moving amongst nature is rejuvenating.
My exercise physiologist has been encouraging me to track my movement, energy levels and mood to identify any patterns that might help us understand what works best for me. I'm not the best at tracking, and have been experimenting with different ways of doing so, sampling templates and strategies provided by both my exercise physiologist and psychologist to try and find a method that feels less taxing.
An obvious pattern that is emerging from the tracking I've done so far, is that the movement that energises me most, is when I'm out riding or walking amongst the trees. I can go from feeling like there is almost nothing left in the tank and tempted to order take out, to returning with enough energy to making a delicious, nutritious dinner.
Nature time with loved ones is joyful.
Many of these explorations in the bush have been with my young one, Cloud, and/or our close friends.
I feel so much joy when riding along a path amongst the trees with Cloud on the back of my bike and our puppy Fern in the basket up front, the wind in our ears, grins on our faces, as we chat away about our day.
And I love the deepened connection and bonding that is formed with loved ones as we're hiking through the bush, puffing and panting up the steep parts whilst trying to hold conversation, and giggling together as we clumsily try to jump across puddles or find work arounds to unexpected obstacles.
Nature time is inspiring.
As Cloud and I have been out exploring, different shaped trees (like the one pictured above) and the vibes of different areas we've encountered, have inspired us to come up with lots of story ideas.
I've also had little affirmations and short poems like this one land on me as we've been walking.
I think I'll start packing a notebook with me in future, so I can quickly note the ideas, before they disappear back into the depths of my mind.
I'm a trees person.
I've always loved trees. When we would go to look at houses, Cloud would roll their eyes every time I'd point out when the house or neighborhood had nice trees.
We used to live by the beach for several years, and although it was lovely to walk the beach each day and look out at the water and the occasional sighting of playful dolphins, there is nothing that can match the calmness, joy and sense of home I feel when I'm out amongst the trees.
I've realised that no matter where I live in the future, it will be important to make sure there is somewhere nearby, where I can hike amongst the trees.
Do you love moving in nature? What are some of the things you've observed about your experience in nature? Are you a trees person like me? Or if you HAD to choose, would you always pick the beach? Let me know in the comments below. 🙂
[Images used in this post were initially published on Instagram. All of the images were taken by Naomi in Yarrabilba on the land of the Yugambeh people.]
References
1. James, P., Banay, R.F., Hart, J.E. et al. A Review of the Health Benefits of Greenness. Curr Epidemiol Rep 2, 131–142 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40471-015-0043-7
2. Tomasso LP, Yin J, Cedeño Laurent JG, Chen JT, Catalano PJ, Spengler JD. The Relationship between Nature Deprivation and Individual Wellbeing across Urban Gradients under COVID-19. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Feb 5;18(4):1511. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18041511. PMID: 33562586; PMCID: PMC7915014.
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