“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” — Albert Einstein

The water is my happy place. I am a water baby born in July. That means when I am savoring nature by the sea my body, mind, and spirit feel most healthy and alive. Nature Bathing helps me to ground, focus, and address life from a very rooted elemental experience. Stress diminishes as health and well-being elevate.

In our fast-paced, technology-driven society, we’ve distanced ourselves from the great outdoors. We sit behind our desks zooming around the world doing our business. It’s efficient and a pretty darn amazing feat, but life at a computer is not exactly what our architect had intended for human design.

Returning to the natural source of everything is an invitation to human rewilding. We are made to live and breathe outdoors. It is essential to our health and well-being. And when we are disconnected from nature for an extended period, our mental and physical health suffers.

Ecopsychology, Health, and Well-Being

Ecopsychology explores the synergistic relationship between the natural environment and humans. Our mental and physical health are entwined with the health of our environment. Modern life, urbanization, industrialization, and digitalization have disrupted the symbiosis between humans and nature contributing to stress, anxiety, and disconnection. By re-establishing our bond with Mother Nature, we can restore psychological balance and embrace more interconnectedness with our world.

Our Essence is Rediscovered by Human Rewilding

There are no special skills, tools, or price of admission for “rewilding” ourselves. It’s in our primal DNA to desire, need, want, and thrive in nature. Even if one does not feel like a particularly “outdoorsy type,” research has shown that everyone’s health and well-being are boosted by regular nature bathing sessions. Human rewilding is free and invites us to integrate elements of nature into our daily lives.

It’s more than just being outside. Human rewilding is a call to immerse ourselves in the rhythms and cycles of nature that foster a nurturing connection with our earth that is restorative.

Nurturing Through Nature

Nurturing in the context of ecopsychology involves caring for and being cared for by nature. This reciprocal relationship enhances our well-being in several ways:

• Mindfulness Presence: Helps us to be fully present in the moment, and reduces brain chatter, stress, and anxiety.
• Emotional Healing: The sights, sounds, smells, and feel of nature can evoke a sense of peace, tranquility, and connection to something bigger than ourselves. This aids in emotional regulation and healing.
• Physical Nourishment: Being outdoors inspires us to actively move our bodies which promotes improved health and well-being. Swimming, hiking, walking, gardening, and camping are examples of physical activities that can make us feel exhilarated and joyful.

Powerful Sources of Nature Bathing

There are several ways to engage with and play in nature, each offering unique benefits:

• Sun Bathing: Safely exposing our skin to sunlight is crucial for vitamin D synthesis which contributes to mood regulation, immune function, and bone health. Regular doses of sunshine also help to regulate our circadian rhythms, improving sleep quality and overall mental health.
• Water Bathing: The sound, smell, and sensation of water on our skin inspires relaxation and rejuvenation. Sea water is also rich in minerals that can benefit our skin. Swimming is a non-weight-bearing exercise that we can do as we age.
• Earth Bathing: Having direct physical contact with the earth, like walking barefoot on the grass, sand, or soil can have a very grounding and balancing effect on our minds and bodies.

The Benefits of Reconnecting with Nature

• Reduces stress and anxiety by lowering cortisol levels, reducing stress and anxiety.
• Improves mental health through interaction in natural environments is linked to lower rates of depression and improved mood.
• Enhances cognitive function through outdoor exposure and activities that boost attention, memory, and creativity.
• Better physical health is achieved by Increasing physical activity and exposure to natural elements improves cardiovascular health, immune function, and overall fitness.
• Strengthens a sense of connection, belonging, and interconnectedness, which is essential for our psychological well-being.

Ecopsychology and the practice of human rewilding through nurturing and nature bathing offer a holistic approach to improving our health and well-being. By reconnecting with the sun, sea, and earth, we can tap into the profound healing power of nature, enhancing our physical, emotional, and mental health. Embrace the elements, nurture your relationship with nature, and experience the transformative benefits of human rewilding.

Listen to this Harvesting Happiness episode: Human Rewilding: Nurturing Ourselves in Nature with Craig Foster or wherever you get your podcasts.

Take an even deeper dive with More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness on Substack and Medium.

GUEST BIO: Craig Foster is a documentary filmmaker, naturalist, and the originator of the Sea Change Project in South Africa. He is well known for his role in the documentary film, My Octopus Teacher (2020), for which he received an Academy Award nomination in 2021. His latest project is Amphibious Soul: Finding the Wild in a Tame World.

Website: https://seachangeproject.com/about/

Keep Reading…

• What War Can Teach Us About Life
• Stop the Stress: The Importance of Taking a Break
• 8 Tips for Finding Happiness on a Daily Basis
• Mindset Matters In Well-Being
• 3 Reasons Why Having Less Often Leads to More Happiness