The trees are bare, birds are scarce, the wind goes through your layers of clothes like sand flowing through a sieve, and it’s cold. Very cold. It’s February. Why would you want to venture outside? Because surrounding yourself in nature can be an effective way to manage stress, anxiety, depression and grief even in the heart of winter.
Turn off the tube, abandon social media, lock the frig and secure the liquor cabinet. These modern methods of releasing angst bring with them a host of detrimental effects to overall health and well-being. If you can get outside and immerse yourself in nature just two hours a week, research has shown it improves your mood.
Snuggling under a throw with a glass of Paul Cullen’s Arneis in my hand and a doodle in my lap watching Pluto TV is my go-to de-stressor. Except one glass leads to another which gives me a restless night of sleep and a morning headache. I sleep better, work better and think better when I feel the chill on my cheeks and the cold in my eyes on a solitary stroll outdoors.
I’m outside everyday rain or shine,” said Karin Edgett, Capitol Hill artist. “I like being out in the open. There’re so many interesting things to look at. Being in nature in any way is good for both mental and physical health.”
Last month Edgett took advantage of the substantial snowfall the DMV experienced. “I skied in Haines Point,” she said. “It was exhilarating. I felt totally alive. The city was all white and you couldn’t see the dirt. The cold crisp air clears my mind so when I come back in to work, I am refreshed.”
Hiking Your Feelings
If you want a more intense outdoor practice, you may consider hiking with California natives Sydney and Barry Williams. They are on a mission to improve community health by creating opportunities for people to experience the healing power of nature. Their company, “Hiking My Feelings” began seven years ago as a replacement to the eating and drinking that had once been go-to methods for managing the reverberating emotions of lived trauma. They take groups on day, overnight and vacation treks. Their website teases, “Imagine what your life would be like if you embraced your whole story, connected with nature and unlocked the courage to blaze your own trail.” The Williams describe their hikes as navigating the rugged terrain of limiting beliefs, scaling mountains of self-comion and uncovering hidden treasures of self-acceptance. Like Edgett they go outdoors no matter what the environment. “We like to say there’s no bad weather if you have the right equipment.”
“We don’t experience natural environments enough to realize how restored they can make us feel, nor are we aware that studies also show they make us healthier, more creative, more empathetic and more apt to engage with the world and with each other,” stated Florence Williams from The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes us Happier, Healthier and More Creative. The Williams created a workbook, a blog and a newsletter to inform and help people stay present, identify and release their feelings when outdoors. They give instruction both on their website and in their book, Hiking Your Feelings: Blazing a Trail to Self Love, for solo ventures.
Easy Access
Despite being a part of a major city, Capitol Hill has several nature spots that are either easy to walk to or just a short car ride away. There’s Kingman Park, Rock Creek Park, the Arboretum, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens and Fort Dupont. Each morning, I loved walking my mini-goldendoodle Marcello in Congressional Cemetery where I learned how to be present and connect with my surroundings. I meditated on the trees, flowers and quiet energy that filled the 32 acres just a 10-minute drive away.
Humans evolved historically living mostly outdoors, but our modern ways have changed radically. We now live about 90 percent of our lives inside. However, we still have a deep connection with nature and our brain benefits from connecting regularly with our natural surroundings. A 2021 study found that even 20 minutes in nature can be beneficial for mental health.
Travel Also Helps Release Stress
Sometimes activities done daily become matter of fact. We can lose sight of the uniqueness of the environment on daily walks, bike rides or hikes. Changing your environment can snap you out of a depression or lift you out of your stressful way of thinking. Whether going to another country or escaping for a long weekend, a trip can positively impact how you feel.
“You don’t have to be a skier, hiker or athlete to benefit from nature. Start with 15 minutes a day. Find ways to connect with your outdoor surroundings. Walking along one of the trails in my neighborhood I use my senses to feel the crunch of leaves or snow under my feet, look for signs of animal tracks, listen for birds and intentionally inhale the crisp, brisk air along the path. “Shutting off your brain and observing nature is so powerful that’s all you need to do,” said Edgett. “When your mind won’t stop jumping around, being in nature is a great way to calm that monkey mind.”
To learn more about Hiking My Feelings: hikingmyfeelings.org.
Pattie Cinelli is a journalist who has been writing her column for more than 25 years. Please her at: [email protected].
