Leaves, Lakes and Low Blood Pressure

I am well aware that as a therapist working with trauma, I am at risk for developing compassion fatigue, which is basically emotional jet lag from traveling through too many heartbreaking stories without leaving my chair. A big part of being able to provide good care for my clients is making sure I don’t fall apart like a cheap chair with a couple of missing screws. Self-care for me means walking on the beach, hiking in the forest, or digging in my flower garden until I look like my Golden retriever, who rolls in dirt next to me. These things keep me grounded, calm, and — most importantly — less likely to start sobbing into my coffee between the sessions.

In recent decades, there has been a growing fascination with the healing and therapeutic potential of nature — and honestly, it’s about time we remembered that the outdoors is more than just a place where Wi-Fi signals go to die. The field of nature-based therapies is expanding, and research keeps pointing toward the benefits of connecting psychotherapy with the natural world. One study by the mental health organization Mind found that people with clinical depression who took mindful walks in nature saw a 71% reduction in symptoms. Stanford researchers have even documented changes in brain activity from walking in nature versus walking in a busy city. The more we connect with nature over our lifetimes, the stronger and longer-lasting the positive effects. Research suggests that our modern detachment from nature is making us sick. Depression, anxiety, stress, restlessness, and the occasional urge to throw your phone into a lake can all be tied to not spending enough time in forests, fields, rivers, lakes, or mountains.

The beauty and mystery of the natural world invite us into the truth that nothing real is happening except what’s unfolding right now. Stillness and quiet can feel a little scary at first, like meeting your thoughts for the first time in years. But with practice, clients often find themselves looking forward to these moments of stillness and connection with nature. Many report reductions in anxiety and rumination — and a few admit they have started talking to trees, which I fully support. Peace and healing often live in those moments beyond the chatter and busyness of everyday life — right there among the rustling leaves, singing birds, and the occasional squirrel with no sense of personal space.