Nature is my Favorite Drug

Since moving to North Carolina from South Florida, I spend much more time outside. The weather is so beautiful year round with maybe two months of super hot and two months of super cold – the rest is perfection. There are so many easily accessible parks, gardens, and trails. The best part is, they are all free.

In my life I have always used nature as a kind of medicine. I truly believe that we are meant to spend more time outside. We are animals, after all, and being in nature is the most natural and grounding thing we can do.

If you’re stressed, anxious, or feeling unhealthy or overweight, I’m just wondering… have you tried nature?

Nature For Anxious Thoughts – When my mind is racing and I feel scattered and overwhelmed, walking in nature is a huge calming force. Hearing the birds, watching the bunnies, feeling the earth, seeing the flowers and blue skies brings me peace and clarity. Do my problems go away? Of course not, but it does help calm my nerves and helps me to see what are actual problems and what are problems created in my mind.

Possible Side Effects = Compassion

Nature For Weight-Control – I’m the type of person who can’t commit to daily high-intensity workouts. I just won’t keep it up. But, small, consistent walks in nature have shown great results to my physique. When I am in a state of fight-or-flight (ie. stress) my body holds on to every bit of weight. The more time I spend walking in nature the better I feel – and the better I feel – the better I look. Especially when I take advantage of up-hill climbs.

Possible Side Effects = Strong legs

Nature For “The Blues” – We all get down from time to time, and it often helps me to simply: go outside. The colors, the breeze, the beauty of new life and growth, and the sun on my skin can be rejuvenating. Watching plants continually evolve reminds me that we are always a work in progress, and every stage has purpose. Things always get better with time.

Possible Side Effects = Tanned skin

I have a theory that the mind and body are so connected that they take invisible cues from each other. Walking in nature burns off my nervous energy which then calms my mind. It makes me feel healthy and productive which makes me happy. Since my mind is happy I’m not as stressed, my body relaxes and moves into a calmer state. Then finally, my body follows by letting go of calories, (please note, I’ve also given up flaming hot Cheetos).

Beauty, clarity, and happiness come from within. Sometimes you need prescription drugs, and sometimes you just need nature.

North Carolina Photos by Dara Tannenbaum (from top) Duke Botanical Gardens, JC Raulston Arboretum, Dunn Creek Greenway, Downtown Wake Forest, Holding Village Lake

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