Nature can help us heal. It’s certainly not a new idea. This article, published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology in 1995, says straight up that “Natural environments turn out to be particularly rich in the characteristics necessary for restorative experiences.” Way back when, in my undergrad days at UWSP (University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point), as I majored in Environmental Education and Interpretation we learned that so many people sought natural areas for recreation, and it would be our job to help people feel a sense of place and connect to the natural environment so that those folks could experience the true meaning of recreation, which is to re-create yourself.
Early on in my professional life, I greatly enjoyed guiding others on wilderness adventures and leading hikes, educating them on local plants, wildlife, historically significant sites and more. I was often surprised by the depth of connection we made during these experiences, especially when I just planned for a short hike. Nature offers the conditions for us to connect with our true selves and with each other through the shared experience of feeling part of something greater than ourselves.
Nature has always been at the root of my most powerful life experiences and events. I met my husband while working as a naturalist at Peninsula State Park in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. I had camped there with my family every year during my childhood. Last year while camping there, I carried my youngest child on my back for the same 2 miles of rather rugged Eagle Trail my grandfather carried me on w
hen I was too young to walk. We all enjoyed the sea caves and water’s edge view of bluffs above.
All of my greatest memories somehow involve nature; from my first bear sighting (and being chased!) to river crossings with my cousin Kenny – and losing my shoes to the waterfall and the much longer than planned hike we still joke about with “Just around the next corner…” There’s the classic family joke “a foot in the face does NOT feel good!” when I had to share a wilderness cabin bunk with my little cousin Savannah. There was the GILA DEATH MARCH and tent crushing snowstorm in the Arizona desert with dorm-mate pals. Canoe dumping adventures in an icy river, and losing both of our camp stoves (lesson learned: always split them up!), driving with my aunt Jodi with a canoe strapped to the top of my car as trucks with snowmobile trailers passed us! We wound up canoeing with more than 2 feet of snow on the ground! I could bore- or maybe entertain you- for months with all of these stories and so many more.
One of my best and longest term friendships also came out of a nature experience. Sara and I worked together at a youth camp one college summer and helped youngsters learn outdoor skills. Our friendship
was enhanced by our shared passion for and experience in the outdoors, and continues nearly 20 years later! These are the kind of relationships that endure and help create healing in our lives. It’s good stuff. It helps us be better, healthier, happier people. And we can thank Mother Nature for helping create these bonds. So today, I dare you to go for a hike, plan an outing, plant something; do anything to reconnect with nature. I double dare you to do it with someone important to you. You just may create some lasting memories and laugh a bit. And we all know laughter is the best medicine!
*Special thanks to my dear friend Sara for the inspiration to write this, and for the use of your amazing photo! These many years of friendship, travel and adventures we have shared are priceless to me!