Finding nurture in nature

“Today we suffer from the success of having “conquered” nature,” says Ashim Sharma, a mental health counselor who specializes in trauma, somatic experiencing, and drug rehabilitation. He

reflects on the increasing disconnection between humans and nature and its direct impact on our mental well-being which can be traced back to a biological/evolutionary level. 

Research has shown that exposure to nature reduces stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous system because of people’s innate connection to nature. In other words, we move from a fight-flight response (which alerts us to danger) to a rest-digest response (which decreases our heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels). 

Spending time in nature also impacts our thoughts and emotions and creates the feeling we get when we take a walk around the neighborhood “to clear our head”. This was supported by a functional neuroimaging study that found decreased blood flow in the prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain responsible for complex thought) which correlated with decreased “rumination” (repetitive thinking or dwelling on negative feelings) after a 90-minute nature walk compared with an urban area walk. 

When it comes to the relationship between nature and mental health, the concept of nature exposure has been prioritized as seen in the studies mentioned above. However, the concept of “nature connectedness” has surfaced in research in recent years. Nature connectedness is a psychological construct that measures individuals’ subjective sense of connection to nature and has been found to be stronger than nature exposure in predicting mental well-being.  It has been found to influence the relationship between mental health and natural exposure itself. 

This means we can not only reap the benefits by pausing to experience nature with our senses but also by reflecting and remembering the experiences through our preferred medium of expression whether it be poetry or painting. And through it feeling an increasing connection to nature.

This essence of nature connectedness is reflected through initiatives such as PsychHike by My Quest Foundation, where participants are led by a counselor/psychologist for a short hike. Throughout their journey, they receive basic psychoeducation while being simultaneously encouraged to connect with various natural elements.

Anjal Bhatta, a counseling psychologist/trainer who has been serving as the lead coach for PsychHike since 2013, shares his experience “During the hike, with each step there is movement, and with it is an opportunity to connect.” He asserts that the natural elements act as support for people to express and reflect on themselves, something your conventional workshop that is limited to four walls might not be able to provide you with.” 

To those used to the conventional approach, the hike can be quite challenging, however he reports feeling quite rewarded after seeing them overcome it. 

The countless benefits of nature-based experiences have been explored through research in environmental psychology, which has revealed that such experiences have a positive impact on attention, mood, self-regulation, and stress. It is also seen to increase generosity, cooperation, and our sense of social connection. 

Bidhan Parajuli, a sound healer and counseling psychologist who has been an active participant/ assistant coach during PsychHike from My Quest Foundation expresses feeling healing on a spiritual level, the feeling of being one with nature while also being able to reflect on personal development “I feel like my thinking and feeling patterns change every time I go.”

Small things such as spending time at community parks, pausing to notice the small things in nature such as adding plants to indoor spaces, paying attention to our five senses, or even watching videos of nature if we are unable to go outside. 

Neha Adhikari, a yoga instructor, and psychosocial counselor, shares about how the balance of five elements, air, water, space, earth, and fire are directly related to our mental well-being and how we can access them through simple daily acts such as going to our rooftops and practicing mindfulness about the sun/moon and the air and the fact that a simple shower can help balance our need for water element.

“I go to my terrace to relieve my headache after a long way of working indoors. I feel the air, space around me, sunlight if it is daytime or moonlight if it is night.”

As with other health-related activities, it is important to schedule time for this. The deep biological, psychological, and spiritual benefits of exploring our connection with nature can profoundly impact our overall well-being. It might be challenging to prioritize something so quietly existing around us, especially considering the vast amount of information fighting for our attention all throughout the day whether it be at work or at rest. However, it can be as easy as setting out for a few minutes to notice the trees or birds on your way to work or limiting your screen time during rest to go outside and notice the air and space around us sipping our favorite hot beverage. And soon we might start noticing the impact on our attention, mood, and stress levels.