Connecting with Nature
Connection with nature is a huge part of a healthy lifestyle. While not yet widely recognized by the mainstream culture this idea that nature is a key to a healthy life is gaining traction every day.
As an herbalist this connection not only to the natural world around me but to a historical (I love history!), though ancient, culture of relating and surviving.
Herbalism is the people’s medicine–easily accessible, low cost (sometimes free if you are willing to put in the work of harvesting your own) and affective for much more then just physical conditions. As such there are all sorts of ways to practice herbalism and if the only way you feel comfortable getting started is purchasing herbs through a reputable source (even if it is just packages of herbal tea at your local natural foods coop) then by all means hop in.
“Kick it up a Notch”
But you can also deepen your experience. As celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse became famous for saying, another option would be to “Kick it [Your Wellness Journey] up a Notch.” Connecting with nature is the single most effective thing thing I have found towards creating a life of health and connection.
Honestly the time in my life that I have felt most Unwell, sick, was not from any physical ailment, though as time progressed it did manifest as physical symptoms. My illness came about from a place of mental torment. I was in a living situation that I felt was completely unworkable and unsustainable. In fact in order for me to just get through my days required me to disassociate with my life. I was going through motions but not able to make any plans for the future, dream, or even connect with myself, let alone those around me.
That is when I began to notice the plant Violet (Viola spps.). I noticed it growing outside my bedroom window and my front door. I began to think about it more. I noticed that the violet color calmed and soothed me. So I began to think about her more and more. I bought clothes and crystal jewelry that were violet (amethysts). I looked for pictures of violets. Slowly I began to feel better.
This is where herbalism comes
About this time I began studying herbalism full force. One of my teachers was quite fond of Violets, mentioning that they were good boundary medicine. It nourishes and helps strengthen our authentic self and allows us to take the time we need for ourselves. The color and scent reminds us of our connection to the divine and encourages us to grow in this way as well. In short it was just the plant I needed and it came right to my window and door.
In the early stages of my herbalism studies I was focused mostly on symptoms, as in “what is this plant good for?” I created a large collection of materia medica (documents listing specific details about plants including “what it does”). But as my studies progressed I felt my outlook on life changing. For one things I was able to think outside the box and come up with a solution to my living situation. I really believe it was my work with the plants and the confidence they gave me that helped to solve my own problems.
As time went on I found that I craved plants not for medicinal reasons, but companionship. I found myself wanting to spend time outdoors and when I wasn’t outside I was reading about and/or thinking about plants. I came to the point where I no longer needed to know what the plants do for me, but who they are.
How to Connect
I was supremely lucky at this time that I was already living on 40 acres with woods, pastures and wetlands. Years ago this desire to move to the country set in motion a long and trying journey, but we were finally there, right when I needed it.
It is not my intention to imply that you will only be able to connect to nature if you live on a large and diverse piece of property. But if the desire to live in the country is in you it is worth it to take the steps you can to get there.
For most of us connection comes in much smaller doses, through cultivating a few plants, either in a backyard or even a windowsill. It comes from regular walks in a neighborhood park or the occasional camping trip. But the point is to notice, to be aware. What plants are asking for your attention? If you don’t know them, how can you find out? Perhaps a neighbor or local herbalist could help you or a simple field guidebook. Some apps can be very helpful as well, though I do recommend checking them against a field guide.
Begin thinking about plants, notice what plants you are drawn to. Look for ways to incorporate the natural world in your life. For those of you who share your lives with children I really love the Waldorf Model of education and its focus on connecting the the natural world.
3 Action Steps
- Notice, open your awareness to the world around you. In many ways you are probably missing opportunities that are already present in your life to connect with plants. Try regular nature walks, or growing your own plants.
- Ask yourself what plants you would like to work with, which ones do you particularly connect with? When building any relationship it is always easier to focus on nurturing one relationship at a time. It could even be one special plant, like a local tree.
- Schedule time. As with anything you need to set aside time to be out in nature. Work with your schedule and give yourself grace. If once a week or once a month is all you can manage start with that.
Results
Open yourself to connection. Don’t push yourself or stress out about looking for obvious signs right away. Growth is a life long process. Sometimes it is hard to perceive how much you have grown in a day, a week or even a month. Sometimes it will seem like there is no growth for a year or more. But in ten years or a life time you will see momentous growth and a life well lived.
