Why Nature Can Be a Great Source of Self-Care

Recently, my fiancée and I went on vacation to Asheville, North Carolina. We had an amazing time seeing the Biltmore, roaming the galleries of the River Arts District, walking Downtown and seeing what this great place had to offer.

Another thing we did was hike along the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are located outside of Asheville near the Great Smoky Mountains. Hiking along those mountains was an awe-inspiring experience for us. In fact, this got me thinking of how being around nature can be a great source of self-care.

When you are in nature, you are in a place that’s natural, hence the name. All the trees, soil, lakes, leaves and wildlife are not human-made. Places like certain towns and cities can bring off a sense of self-care and can do a great job with it. However, most of the things there are artificially made, while nature gives off a true form. This gives a sense of beauty that the Earth can make, such as the colors of the trees and the lakes. It’s really amazing what beauty a natural landscape can have.

Another reason nature can be a good source of self-care is that it gives you time to think. For me, when I am around nature, it gives me a sense of calm. And with this sense of calm, I’m able to think clearly. When I think clearly, my thoughts have a more positive sense to them. If I’m in a chaotic environment, my thoughts become tangled and distorted. This type of thinking leads to anxiety and doubt both for my mind and my soul. However, in a much more stable environment, such as in nature, I am able to gain a sense of myself. I am better able to think past the doubts and anxiety that negative thinking brings and focus more on the positive aspect of my life. The breezes, sights and sounds of nature greatly help with this.

I can definitely see why being in nature can be such a joy. The natural beauty and the calm demeanor of it can bring much self-care. If you are in an area that’s near a forest or woods, give nature a try. Go for a hike, run on a path, even do some birdwatching if that’s your thing. Who knows, nature might be another part of self-care for you.