Finding Your Nurture in Nature
| Publication year | 2023 |
| Pages | 22 |
BY JENNA MAXFIELD
When I tell people that I moved back to Colorado so that I could enjoy nature in its fullest glory, the first response I usually receive is, "Do you ski?" Indeed, the state is renowned for its epic outdoor adventures. However, beyond these adventures, there lies a gentle invitation from nature; it beckons us to reconsider its many nurturing threads. Thus, rather than simply focusing on what we do out in nature, perhaps we can also consider how we experience nature and why it might be worth it to incorporate a different kind of nature-based practice into our weekly routines. This article introduces some novel and accessible ways to explore the wonders of nature as well as the free benefits of spending time in relationship with nature.
When You Can't Escape the Office
As the daughter of a retired attorney, I have vivid memories of my mother getting up before dawn to head to the General Assembly so she could advocate for various bills. The rhythm was to work until it's done. Decades later I have continued this pattern in my own career as an Air Force officer engaging in overseas deployments, serving as a 24/7 first responder for sexual assaults, training as a clinician in a demanding fellowship, and being a solopreneur launching a nature-based psychotherapy practice during a pandemic. We stay and work because we care about our clients and our causes, and we don't have the luxury of adding something else to our packed schedules. With this in mind, I ask you to observe nature for just 60 seconds during the coffee or restroom break you're already taking. This simple act will allow you to experience the research-based physical, cognitive, and stress-relieving mental health benefits of a nature-based practice.
Your 60-Second Indoor Nature Break
If you're inside and in between meetings and appointments, take a deep breath and exhale. Then allow yourself 60 seconds to explore. Here are some ideas of what might be available to you:
▪ If you have access to a window, move to the window. What do you see outdoors?
▪ Perhaps your surroundings are buildings and pavement. If so, can you notice a leaf drifting across the sidewalk, being gently rolled and turned by the wind? Or perhaps there's a tree or two lining the street. Can you stop and notice how its limbs gently sway? Is there a bird or another creature resting in its arms? Take 60...
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