Nurtured by Mother Nature

Written by Bela Romano

Graphics by Shania Li

In our world today, we are constantly being forced to subscribe to a digital life. Many of us rely on modern technology in more ways than we can count, and it is difficult to fully disconnect even when we attempt to. As convenient as this digital life can often be, it is likely to be a major culprit behind rising rates of depression, anxiety, and neurobehavioral disorders such as ADHD. Knowing that the amount of time I spend being connected could very well be linked to my own depression and anxiety, this influenced my decision to move to Colorado earlier this year in hopes of spending more time outdoors and less time being connected. I also had a theory that my environment in Michigan was impacting me negatively, partly due to associated traumas as well as the physical nature of the environment there. 

While I was living in Michigan, I would often feel weighed down by my surroundings. There was no shortage of concrete and cars, not to mention all the pollution from the industrial plants in near proximity. After living there for nearly nine years, I eventually discovered how much my environment impacts me, and realized that I needed a break from the constant hustle and bustle of city life. Even though I still live in an urban environment, the main difference here is that hiking trails and green spaces are abundant. Policies have been created to prioritize these spaces as much as possible, whereas my previous city was hesitant to allocate funds towards creating more recreational space. Now that I have been able to compare my environments, there is no doubt in my mind that this dramatic change in scenery has positively impacted my mental health, although I did not appreciate it as deeply when I first moved here.

For the first three months of living in Colorado, I struggled immensely with my mental health. I often felt alone and misunderstood by others, and such feelings became especially amplified being in a new place. One of the main reasons I moved out west was to immerse myself in nature again, yet I hadn’t done much of that for the first couple months of living here. Occasionally, I would take walks at a nearby park in the evening, where I could take comfort in the chirps of hundreds of bird conversations while watching the sun slip away behind the mountains in the distance. These evening walks would sometimes turn into evening runs, depending on my energy levels. Although these walks usually provided me with some temporary solace, there was one week in particular where my anxiety was so debilitating to the point where I had to take several days off of work. On one of those days, I spontaneously decided to go for a moderately challenging hike that would end up being one of the most rewarding experiences I have had thus far. 

The hike started out relatively easy, and I was enchanted by fields of wildflowers and tall grass while making my way towards the towering trees ahead. As I started gaining elevation, I found myself surrounded by various types of pines and aspens, which provided a refreshing scent. Several times, I came across a stream, and I would take the opportunity to dip my hands and feet in for a healthy adrenaline boost. I was so lost in the beauty of such sights and sounds, though I was unsuspecting of how grueling the last mile up to the summit would be. Given some of my other health conditions, I have often had trouble with more strenuous activities. During the last mile of elevation gain, I began losing my breath and was forced to take breaks every couple minutes to prevent myself from passing out. In times like these, the all-too-familiar struggle with my thoughts returned, and I seriously considered skipping the short summit push altogether.

After much deliberation, I tried envisioning the views I would otherwise miss if I skipped the last climb up to the top, so I pushed myself to continue while taking plenty of breaks. When I finally reached the peak, the views were more rewarding than I ever could have imagined. The vegetation had cleared to reveal snow capped mountains lining the western horizon, with lush greenery covering the foothills below me. Only the wind and birds made noise at twelve thousand feet, and I felt so grateful for this serenity. It was an incredible moment to experience, and I even had a much-needed cathartic cry, not just because of how awestruck I was by my surroundings, but because I also realized what this represented for me personally. Reaching the summit was not about the achievement itself. Rather, it was about enduring something that was far more physically and mentally taxing than I expected, and I realized how this hike overall mirrored a lot of other challenges I had faced in my life. Despite my tears, I felt a wave of relief come over me, and I recognized that this exact moment was long overdue. 

In the context of evolution, the connection between humanity and nature cannot be emphasized enough. Scientists have hypothesized that humans have an innate desire to connect and interact with nature and other forms of life. This theory is not only explained by the fact that our ancestors relied on the natural world to provide them with all the resources needed for survival, but also by our tendency to prefer natural environments and incorporate them into our architecture today. Numerous studies have been conducted to demonstrate the benefits of spending time in nature including reduced depression, stress, anxiety, and ADHD, in addition to improved social processes and a better sense of self-awareness in several domains., Such evidence points to the idea that nature itself has a nurturing effect, both physically and psychologically. What this suggests is that today’s most common problems may at least be somewhat improved by spending more time in nature. Based on my own experiences, I have come to learn that spending time in nature allows us to take a break from mental preoccupation by forcing us to focus our attention on the present surroundings. 

Although modern society has made it difficult for the majority of us to connect with nature as often as we should be, there is no doubt that our connection with nature is embedded within our genetics. Looking back on our evolution, it is clear that our brains were not designed to constantly be tied to technology. Given our increasingly dependent relationship with technology these days, there should be more emphasis on getting out in nature and disconnecting for a substantial amount of time. Not only has this been known to improve our mood and cognition, but it can also strengthen our social skills and give us a better sense of purpose in life. Simply put, we should strive towards being nurtured by nature once again.