Nature allows us to relax and become one with the planet in a deep and elemental way.
For thousands of years, humans on earth were hunters and gathers — we were part of nature, just like any other animal or plant. Thanks to our brains, our ability to walk upright and our opposable thumbs, however, we were able to settle into and around nature instead of in it. Today we live in towns, cities and other kinds of communities where we control the environment instead of having nature control it for us.
Once we left nature and the woods for our homes and our societies, however, we lost that bond with the planet. It is that bond that is one of the greatest gifts and joys we can experience, when we feel connected to Mother Earth. Nature provides nourishment for the planet as well as for our bodies, minds and souls.
Being in nature allows us to leave the hustle and bustle of our daily work, responsibilities and other external stressors and reconnect with our primal thoughts and desires. When I’m stressed, or feeling out of control — as if life feels like it’s coming at me too fast — one of my favorite things to do is go for a walk on a trail in a park, a preserve or an arboretum. I enjoy the quiet away from human noise, which allows me to slow down and relax.
When I ’m there, I try to ground myself, using all of my senses, focusing on listening to the wind, the leaves and the birds, smelling the trees, the grass and the flowers, touching the leaves and branches, seeing the various colors, objects and animals, and even tasting a falling raindrop. This helps to reset my nervous system and create a sense of peace, calm and presence.
This type of bond with nature allows you to connect more with your body and less with your overthinking mind, where you might be worrying about the next work assignment, or a friend or family issue. These common stressors tend to fade away when you take a deep, clear breath and immerse yourself in the natural environment in which our ancestors thrived for thousands of years.
When you become more present and actively pay attention to the moment, you feel more alive and aware. Being mindful reduces ruminating thoughts about the past or the future. Being in nature creates a safe space in which to slow down, close your eyes, breathe in and savor the moment. Although many of us are conditioned to nonstop doing, being quiet and still is necessary to develop balance and regulate our emotions. Once we’re able to do that, we become better equipped to handle any obstacles life might throw at us.
I would encourage any government or nonprofit agency to develop new green spaces and promote existing natural areas to make them more accessible to our communities. That is an easy gift — as Michael Scott, of “The Office,” says, it’s a win-win-win. It’s a win the for the community, the environment and people, because it can help improve overall mental health and wellness, create a deeper level of awareness and move people to gather and share a common experience that is free for all.
With the overstimulation of electronic devices, social media, gaming and news consumption, being in a green space and connecting with nature helps us strengthen the most important ability we have, which is focusing on the moment. Attention is a super-power that can help us set our priorities, focus on our goals and to create the lives we want. Being in the natural environment helps us recharge that power.
So head for your nearest natural space, become present and regain the attention for what you want to focus on, instead of having an algorithm determine the focus for you.
Jordan Pecora is a past president of Freeport-Merrick Rotary.
