Nature and Healing: Discovering the Deep Connection to True Well-being
Exposure to nature improves our emotional health and enhances our physical well-being.
Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.
— John Muir
Looking out over the ocean from my sandy perch, I watch a seagull circle and dive for dinner while sandpipers scurry away from the foamy surf. The view inspires me - watching the timeless rhythm of waves tumbling on the sand soothes my soul.
I don't surf, sail, or even own a boat, although I'm surrounded by rivers, creeks, bays, and miles of ocean. The coastal area where I live has 127 miles of beaches and is a paradise for beachcombers, sunbathers, swimmers, anglers, surfers, and sailors alike. It’s also full of marine life.
One Friday evening, we saw a fantastic display of two humpback whales spouting and lobtailing for an hour before swimming back to sea. We identified them by their tails—that's how close they were. We occasionally see whales along our coast; when we do, everyone is in awe and delight at these magnificent creatures. Only one percent of the population sees a whale in its natural habitat, let alone two.
I am heartbroken by the recent and sudden deaths of hundreds of whales and dolphins along our coast. As ocean industrialization escalates, it increasingly threatens our marine habitats. The ocean is the only home these creatures have, and we are encroaching upon it. With only 70 reproductive females remaining, the North Atlantic Right Whale is alarmingly close to extinction.
The pulse and spirit of the Earth resonate through our oceans, forests, mountains, and all aspects of Nature. The energy in these pristine environments is palpable and awe-inspiring. Being in such places reminds us that we are part of a vast continuum—something far greater than our daily concerns, something that was revered long before us and will continue to be celebrated long after we are gone.
There's something we can learn by observing Nature; every leaf has a lesson.
St. Augustine, he talked about the idea that God talks to us most eloquently through creation. And that creation is like that, every rock is a word. Every brook and every leaf is a phrase or a lesson that God has for us. There’s something that we can learn from just sitting and observing nature, that we can learn about our creator.
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The soothing power of Nature
The key to living a harmonious life lies in the gentle embrace of Nature. Using tea and Nature as tools for well-being, I have understood that in the busyness of the modern world, we have forgotten the soothing power of the natural world and the simple joy of sipping a cup of tea.
Today, I invite you on a journey where tea and Nature lead you to a life of health, balance, and longevity. Our environment is essential for nourishing the body and soul.
True health requires nurturing these four aspects: physical, emotional, spiritual, and social harmony. This is often different from what people think about a healthy lifestyle. Tea and Nature can nurture all four aspects, ushering in a life of wellness.
The American Psychological Association reports,
“In a review of the research, Gregory Bratman, PhD, an assistant professor at the University of Washington, and colleagues shared evidence that contact with nature is associated with increases in happiness, subjective well-being, positive affect, positive social interactions and a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as decreases in mental distress (Science Advances, Vol. 5, No. 7, 2019).”
Each of us can experience a life deeply intertwined with Nature. I encourage you to find Nature where you live. Some of the greatest gifts in life are usually the ones freely given to us by Nature. Tea and Nature are some of those unique gifts.
Sacred Tea
I have spent decades pursuing healing wisdom and discovered that the secrets of health, balance, and longevity could be found in the most unexpected places - a humble cup of tea.
Okakura Kakuzo, the Japanese philosopher, famously called tea the cup of humanity.
What I love about tea is that there's always an opportunity for newness. Every cup of tea tells a story. Tea is beautifully ordinary yet a deeply complex plant, with many possibilities, variations, and benefits. As Kakuzo adroitly states,
Tea began as a medicine and grew into a beverage.
The profound connection between Nature and well-being is in the way of tea and Nature. Spending time in Nature can rejuvenate the spirit, calm the mind, and restore balance to a life plagued by chaos and noise. Step outside, breathe in the fresh air and witness the wonders of the natural world.
The tea plant has thrived for thousands of years under the nurturing care of the Earth, its leaves steeped in the wisdom of the land. Over the years, I’ve discovered the captivating history of tea, a beverage that has grown from the very bosom of Nature. It originated in the ancient forests of China, where leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant were first brewed thousands of years ago.
READ: The Beneficial Amino Acid Found Only in Tea
Tea was not just a beverage but a sacred art form. It was the elixir of scholars and poets, a muse for artists, and a symbol of hospitality in many cultures. Its essence was intertwined with the spirit of Nature itself, and every sip carried with it the whispers of the mountains, the fragrance of the flowers, and the wisdom of the ages.
Many rituals have evolved around tea, from the serene Japanese tea ceremonies to the bustling tea houses of Morocco. Tea connects people with Nature and each other, fostering bonds of camaraderie and understanding.
Embrace Nature's healing wisdom
As you become aware of the importance of returning to a natural and healthier way of living, you will find spending time in Nature can help maintain a sense of calm and balance.
A study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine examined the effects forest bathing had on blood pressure and brain wave activity.
“…results indicated that the participant's blood pressure significantly decreased after the 15-minute walk in a bamboo forest, which demonstrated that the forest environment had a significant relaxing effect on the human body.”
Research has shown that being in Nature reduces activity in a part of the brain associated with a greater risk of anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports,
“Anxiety is the most common type of mental illness in the country, with over 40 million adults suffering from some form of disorder. Although medication can be an effective treatment, some drugs have serious side effects and are often addicting.”
But millions of people fall somewhere in between. Maybe you worry too much but don't have an actual disorder. Chronic worriers can function daily, but anxiety affects their emotional and physical health. Excessive worry is associated with heart disease and other medical conditions and can lead to depression.
Regardless of where you may fall in the anxiety spectrum, the good news is that you can manage your symptoms and feel calmer daily. By exploring Nature's profound impact on our lives and emphasizing the importance of reconnecting, we tap into a universal desire for greater harmony, health, and a more meaningful existence. When you embrace Nature's wisdom, it enriches your life unexpectedly.
I hope to inspire you with a profound sense of curiosity, a deep respect for Nature, and a newfound appreciation and use for the age-old beverage that was, in essence, a bridge between humanity and the natural world.
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Mary Ann thank you for such a wonderful read and important perspective.
The essentialism of this will stay with me:
“When you embrace Nature's wisdom, it enriches your life unexpectedly.”