Care for Yourself in Nature: Reconnect with Your Source

Nature as a Source of Healing

This truth is so simple, so innate, that it often gets lost in the complexities of modern life: NATURE HEALS. 

For me, it’s not just a pleasant way to spend time; it’s a fundamental need. Ten out of ten times, without fail, I feel better when I’m immersed in the natural world. Whether it’s the towering presence of the mountains surrounding our Colorado home or the quiet solace of a local park tucked within the town, nature is my Source of renewal and joy. 

Nature doesn’t discriminate based on the weather. The crisp, clean air of a snowy winter hike invigorates me in a way no indoor activity can. The gentle rain on leaves creates a sense of calm that washes away stress. The aliveness of a summer meadow, buzzing with energy, reminds me of our vitality. Nature, in all its seasons, offers a unique and potent medicine to be used – mind, body and spirit. 

The Deep Connection Between Humans and the Earth

This month, my mantra is simple yet profound: “Nature is home.”  

It’s more than a poetic phrase. It’s a deep knowing, a recognition that we are intrinsically connected to the natural world. Our daily rhythms are bound with the cycles of the sun, the moon and the seasons. While our modern lives often pull us indoors, tethered to screens and artificial environments, our fundamental connection with the earth remains. 

When I step outside, toes in the grass, it feels like coming home. I get an immediate sense of belonging to this place, of being exactly where I’m meant to be. Looking around I see the delicate patterns of a leaf, the expanse of mountain vistas, the simple act of breathing in fresh air – these experiences ground me in a way that nothing else can. The constant striving, the mental chatter, the anxieties that often plague my mind becomes quiet, replaced by a sense of spaciousness and peace. 

Nature provides a mirror, reflecting back to us our inherent beauty and resilience. We have the inner strength to weather life’s storms – just like a tree bends in the wind but doesn’t break. A flower pushes through the soil toward the sunlight, and just like that we have an innate drive toward growth and healing. 

Simple Ways to Reconnect with Nature Every Day

Finding our way back to nature doesn’t require a grand expedition. It’s simple, really. Walk in your neighborhood park, tend a small garden, or just sit by a window and observing the changing sky. The key is to make “being” in nature a regular practice, a conscious choice to reconnect with the Source. 

Let Nature Become a Daily Act of Self-Care

I invite you to step outside as a form of self-care. Breathe deeply. Notice the world around you – using all of your senses. Lean in and be held by the earth’s grounding power, and remember that you are part of something greater than yourself. Ultimately, nature isn’t just a place we visit; it’s where we truly belong – inviting us to come home when we’ve been away too long. 

Healing is a journey, not a destination. This year, we are taking a deep dive into self-care strategies. I’ll help you find what you need to feel more comfortable in your everyday life. Sign up for my monthly email newsletter to learn more. 

Rachel Gordon, MA, MEd, is a registered psychotherapist at Humble Warrior Therapy in the Denver Metro Area of Colorado.