Why is contact with Nature so good for us? – GOOD SHAPE

This past weekend, I was at the beach in Bertioga (SP). It had been a while since I had the opportunity to leave São Paulo and, wow, how good did it feel! Being able to walk on the sand, see the sea, sunbathe. Spending a few days “with more time”, at a more relaxed pace and with fewer tasks to perform.

I came home much better, happier indeed. And I was thoughtful about what happens inside us when we are in more direct contact with the Nature. I feel that it is something that goes far beyond rest or relaxation. After all, why is this connection so transformative? I share here in this column some guesses and perceptions.

internal and external nature

Whenever I decide to go to the beach or visit places that are special to me in the countryside or in the mountains, I feel that I am responding to a request for a break that comes from the body, mind and soul. That is, for me, this immersion in Nature has a lot to do with self care. In the physical part, I feel that I go through a process of regeneration of my energy, which brings me more vitality and I usually sleep better. Mentally, I notice that it is easier for me to calm my thoughts, I can meditate more deeply and, often, I have inspirations and good reflections during a walk or a swim in the sea. And I also feel like I’m more aware of my feelings and what’s going on in my internal world. I.e, contact with external Nature greatly deepens the connection with our internal nature.

I have similar feelings when I go to Ibirapuera Park, for example. I always leave calmer, I can reflect better and I often have insights into the reasons for an irritation or an urge to cry. In fact, as we don’t always have the time or money to get away on quick trips, looking for parks, squares or any “bubble” with land, grass and trees helps a lot to bring about these feelings of well-being!

When I’m really tired, I usually find one of those small spaces of land and path for a while barefoot. It’s impressive the effect that this simple habit brings us. Earth energy is very strong and works like a magnet that helps us a lot to discharge the energy that is in excess in our field and that no longer serves us and, at the same time, provides us with renewed energy of great vitality. The same force that nourishes the roots of trees. I know it may sound like cricket talk, but I suggest you try it and then tell me how you felt!

Feeling the power of the earth, seeing the beauty of a sunrise or sunset, and even the simple fact of being able to observe the horizon and not always stay between four walls are apparently so simple things that we underestimate the importance they have in our lives. physical, mental and spiritual health.

Relaxation: “When I’m really tired, I usually look for one of those small spaces of land and walk for a while barefoot. The effect that this simple habit brings us is impressive”, says Debora (Hatham on Unsplash/)

We need everything that is alive and organic.

It’s curious how we separate ourselves from all that is Natural. We say we need more contact “with nature” as if we, human beings, were robots or ETs, that is, as if we belonged to a different category of such Nature, and generally, we need to travel long distances to find it. In fact, we are part of Nature as much as the tree or the sea. We choose to live in an urbanized world full of concrete, technologies and practicalities, but this total distancing from Nature has a very high physical, emotional and environmental cost. And I feel that part of the well-being that we feel when we are immersed in trees, rivers or mountains is because unconsciously we feel that we are coming home somehow, we have found an inner place that is of belonging.

I found it very symbolic that, in this pandemic, the sale of plants and flowers has increased a lot across the country. I don’t think it’s just that people are bored at home – that’s what netflix and other streaming services are for after all. I feel that the deeper reason for this increase is a quest for connection with life. We are living in difficult times, with many news of deaths and mourning. And taking care of a plant, watching it grow, take root, bear fruit, reminds us that there is also a lot of life around and that it can be cultivated. Accompanying this vital cycle helps to bring more hope. One more demonstration of the transforming power of Nature in us.

I’m Debora Pivotto, journalist, writer and therapist. I worked for 13 years in large newsrooms in the country until I discovered that the subjects that most interested me were inside – and not outside – people. Passionate about self-knowledge and communication, I do a kind of “report of the soul” with Aura Reading therapy, I help people to recognize and manifest their gifts and talents by facilitating a process of self-knowledge called Journey of Purpose, and I am specializing in Jungian Analytical Psychology. I love sharing my learnings in texts, videos and workshops. To learn more, follow me on Instagram @deborapivotto.