How Nature Heals

The sun, reminds us, that life continues to breath, continues to grow, continues, to be. The sun is our source of life, so being able to see that, just reassures me, that I’m on the right path. And every time I step into nature, I feel that. Which is way, I wrote this post, I hope if you choose to do something in nature, that you get the euphoric feeling that I always receive.

This past week, was very long for me, and the whole year in general for all us. Instead of spending most of my time in Nature, I spent most of my time in front of a computer screen. Which, I know, usually makes myself, and most people, upset. However, the weather was not the best for outdoor activities this week, and my work scheduled had me working on all the sunny days. Thus, when I had some time in the morning to hike, I did. Even though, it wasn’t a long hike, it was still just what I needed.

Nature truly does recharge you. You are not crazy, in thinking you need to take a break. Usually, when that little voice tries to say, step away, or take a break, it’s usually, RIGHT. Thus, if you can, LISTEN to it.

I hiked Wakely mountain this past week, early, Sunday morning. Thus, I got to see the sun break through the clouds, and there was frost on the trees, so it looked like a little snow cover. And it was just, truly breathtaking and completely calming. And just what I needed from a low vibed week.

I truly believe in the power and healing of nature. Even if you are alone, or hiking with others, nature always calms. And I have hiked many mountains solo, as well as, with people, and both are completely uplifting for me. Something about seeing the sun, just always puts me a good mood, even when I want to be sad, I just can’t, because the light/sun is there, always providing for me and everything. Here and here, are some more articles, further explaining why and how nature scientifically heals.

Hearing the birds, the quietness, the soft rain drops from the day before, the wind, all just being. Nature is never rushed, it is never rude, it is never short-strung, it doesn’t worry, it just is. It is completely present, has no distractions, it just breaths, and soaks up the air, sun, and Earth that it lives in. Seeing that, always brings me back to what is truly important, the now, and every being in this universe, is what matters.

If you are interested in hiking, Wakely, it is located near Indian Lake, New York, specifically, in Sabael, NY. It is a fire tower, and apart of the fire tower challenge (here is an article explaining the challenge), and a total of 6 miles. It is easy to drive to and even easier to follow. At the top, it has two different summits. One is off to your right, off trail, but very easily seen, as it is a huge platform. This is great, for people who don’t like fire towers. And actually this fire tower is pretty sketchy, but climbable. Here is more information and directions for this awesome hike.

If you are afraid to hike on your own, or do any activity on your own, there are TONS of groups out there, that you can join. Sometimes they can be hard to find, but a great starting option, that I suggest is, Meetup.com (here is a link), or the MeetUp app. This will provide you with different groups around your area that already have groups of people doing what you enjoy.

However, I have found that MeetUp is more geared towards bigger cities and more popular activities, such as, running, hiking, working out, any kind of sports, book clubs, and whatnot. If you are interested in a more obscure activity, such as, fencing, ice/rock climbing, chess, and whatnot, you might not find it. Thus, I suggest doing your research on, good old, Google.

For hiking specifically, I suggest joining a mountain club, because you will get discounts, as well as, their various meetups throughout the year. For example, I live in Upstate New York, thus there aren’t really any MeetUp groups in my area, but the ADK Club or Adirondack Mountain Club (here is a link to become a member and their actual website), is a GREAT group to become a member of, if you enjoy hiking and being outdoors!

When you become a member, you get discounted parking, all of their meetup schedules, and more! Thus, if you live in a smaller area, I suggest looking up the various mountain clubs in your area, or outdoor clubs in general, near you.

If you don’t enjoy hiking, don’t worry there are PLENTY of other ways to get out in nature! Kayaking is a great low impact sport, if you don’t wish to be as active as hiking. As well as, golf, tennis, biking, swimming, and bird watching are all great low impact outdoor activities.

That being said, all the “low” impact activities mentioned, can be leveled up, with longer and more intense environments, if you want a challenge, easily making them, high impact activities. Some more outdoor activities in general are, skiing, ice skating, backpacking/camping, rock/ice climbing, canyoning, white water rafting, sailing, snowmobiling, ultimate frisbee, and much more.

Mediative Journaling Hike: How to Free Your Mind While Freeing Your Body

This is one activity I truly love, where you can get outside and channel your thoughts. I feel it is a super peaceful practice, that I hope you do as well.

A healthy way to express your mind when stressed, that you may not know about is meditative journaling. Mediative journaling is a great practice for all of you, who love poetry, creative/expressive writing, journaling, and just being creative in general. For myself, and hopefully for others, I feel this practice is a great way to express your thoughts, without force.

I first discovered this practice through a summer community college course. The class was called Meditative Journaling. Reading this title made me very intrigued, so I read further, and it explained that this class was a great way to find peace. And who doesn’t want more peace in their life? So, I wanted to give it a try!

Starting from the location of this class, I knew I was in for an adventure. We did not meet in a classroom, but at a local park. It was kind of funny because on the first day, I got lost trying to find the park and my fellow classmates. But eventually I did find where I was suppose to be and everyone introduced themselves. Then our professor gave us all individual notebooks that were going to be our meditative journals.  

Once she gave us our journals, she explained how to practice meditative journaling. First, we needed to find a place, specifically in nature, where we felt ease or peace.  Once we all found our spots, we stayed there for about 30 minutes. Within those 30 minutes, we observed the nature around us and wrote about what we saw.

I always notice the trees, so I would write about how green they were, how they always seem to be saying hi in the wind. Then naturally, while I was focused on explaining something else, my real life issues would easily explode onto my page. And whatever came to mind, I just wrote down, without judgement or criticism, I wrote it all. 

I always feel this practice is extremely freeing in this sense, because usually when people, and myself try to write something, we try and force it out. And when things are forced, they’re never as good, and often they fail. That’s why I love this practice because when you’re not focused on creating something, and you’re focused on something that already exist, that’s when you can create something. In the silence, observing, and appreciation of it all. 

Also, not censoring myself is what truly helps me get my thoughts and feelings out. When you are too critical of what you are writing and you try to make it sound “cool,” again, that’s when you’re forcing something and it will never work. Often the feelings you’re trying to get out aren’t cool, so of course, your writing isn’t going to sound cool. It will sound however you feel, sad, angry, hurt, whatever you’re trying to express out of yourself. This is why I find this mediation so healing and therapeutic.

I am a big hiker, so when I learned about this practice, I started incorporating it on my hikes. Thus, when I reach the summit of a mountain, I take my photos, get some water, and then sit down and start typing on my phone.

I first start by noticing the mountains, and acknowledging how far they go on, and the endless green that surrounds me. I continue to write about the beauty I see, and then naturally I write down what’s bothering me in my everyday life. Then I start to intertwine how the nature I see relates to my life. By focusing on something outside of my thoughts, my thoughts naturally come to me, instead of forcing them to come out. This is why I really love this journaling/meditating practice. It naturally allows me to free my mind.

After I finish writing, I feel so at peace with nature, myself, and the world in general. All my thoughts I had been thinking are written so perfectly on my phone, explaining how I feel about certain situations in my life. I feel so relaxed.

In addition, this is how I’ve recently been writing my poetry. I will usually find myself again, on top of a mountain and I will admire/observe the pure beauty and impressiveness of our Earth. Once I start talking about the mountains, my life just pours onto the pages of my journal or phone. Then, when I’m back home, I will go back and finally edit my work. 

I feel mountains are the best place to do this meditation. Personally, mountain tops are the places that I feel most at peace, but many people find the ocean, lakes, gardens, snow, any place outside peaceful. Wherever you feel free, is where you need to practice this form of meditation. 

Also, the other biggest piece of advice I have to truly embrace and to get the most out of this experience, is to NOT judge yourself with the thoughts and feelings that come up. I challenge you, that when a thought or feeling that comes up that you don’t like, write it down. Then, ask yourself why you think that thought or why you feel that feeling. Keep asking that question until you get to the real root of why you feel or think that why. But when you ask the question, don’t harp on it. Let it sit with you, and sit in that feeling and silence for a bit.n Then, naturally in the silence, the answer will come to you, like in meditation, and you will just know that that’s the answer.

And if you feel you haven’t come to the root cause, then keep asking yourself why you feel this why until you get to the root of the issue. Usually, it’s because you don’t feel worthy, or  enough. Jealousy and proving yourself has a lot to do with it as well, but again, these all stem from not feeling enough, not feeling worthy or deserving of what you truly want.  Which before I continue, I want to let you know, is not true, you are MORE than worthy and deserving of what you want. Anyways moving on, once you get to the true root of an issue, it doesn’t have hold on you anymore. And you will just know when you’ve reached the true root of your issue.

Part of the lessons in life I feel, are to find the lessons that you’re trying to get through. Thus, once you find the root of a feeling, you’ve come to the root of your issue, the root of a lesson. Then after that, you truly are free and can let it go, move on, and start living your life again, or until the next lesson you’re meant to learn comes up. 

If you are interested in trying this activity out, all you need is a phone, or pen and journal/notebook. Then pick a hike, and or any spot in nature. And once you find a spot you feel called to, sit down, start writing, and enjoy the nature around you. You can do this activity anywhere in nature, the ocean, by a lake, a waterfall, by the woods, a cave, the forest, there’s so many places. Ultimately, I hope this practice helps you and allows you to have another healthy outlet to express your thoughts and feelings.

Thank you for reading, and I hope this inspires you to get outside and see this amazing and truly breathtaking planet we live in. Also, below is the footage I got from my hike to Wakely fire tower, thank you, and take care.