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My story - and why nature, mindfulness and yoga helped me heal
I think it’s about time I told you my story!
First of all - for those who don’t know me - I’m Alison. The person who’s been bombarding people with lots of nature images during lockdown! (Seriously, I hope you’ve found it a calming balm - and not too annoying!).
Why did I do this? I’ve experienced first hand how healing nature can be. Like the time I lost everything - and I mean everything: home, job, health, relationship - when I fell really ill a number of years ago. As I watched my life fall apart, I fell into a deep depression.
Being a lover of the countryside since childhood, I yearned to look at plants, trees and to see that luscious green colour. Since I was living in the city at the time, it wasn’t so easy, especially since my energy was so low. Just walking from the shower to my bedroom was enough to put me back in bed.
When I regained enough strength I’d drive to a natural spot and just sit in the car. Seeing greenery through the window lightened how I felt. I’ve since read just looking at nature images has a massively calming affect on our brains, which would explain this (and why I've posted lots of nature images over these few weeks to help you guys - hopefully!)
Eventually when I felt stronger, I’d go and sit under trees. I loved feeling the breeze gently blowing through the branches. Hearing the cacophony of bird call. Smelling the perfume of flowers. I felt calmer from being there. Nothing else seemed to matter in that moment.
In amongst all of this, there was a deep faith that now I’m so grateful for. I’d been practising yoga and meditating for years. I’d also recently discovered Zen Buddhism, which followed a mindfulness path. By using these practises I found out I could calm the inner storm. They gave me great comfort.
Life felt much simpler living in the moment. I stopped agonising over what had happened. It had been and gone and there was nothing I could do about it. The future hadn’t yet arrived. But I could be present, now. When I did this, life wasn’t so heavy.
When I lived from this mindful place, nature became even more interesting. Colours turned radiant. Sounds more beautiful. Fragrances more exquisite. Being there calmed my nervous system right down. It was a wonderful way to de-compress.
Overtime, my faith proved correct. I got better. Totally.
This is why I include (indoor and outdoor) yoga and mindfulness in most of our experiences. Combining them with nature, can be truly transformative and a massive stress reliever. It also means you’ll find greater connection to the natural world too, which can only be a good thing.
How does it feel to come on one of our experiences?
Find your wild
Walking at night can feel a bit like a mini-adventure. Instead of succumbing to the settee you’re doing something different to your usual routine. By doing so, it opens up a whole new world both outside - and inside of you. Believe it or not, it’s a fantastic way of combatting those winter blues as it expands your horizons. And this stimulates your happy chemicals. Even a bite-sized bit of time after dark makes you feel exhilarated. This is because your primary sense - sight - takes a back seat while all your other senses become alive. The crunch of snow underfoot. Feeling the breeze brush lightly over your face. Watching silhouettes move in the wind. Looking up to a bright, full moon. The activity totally focuses the brain, so you become more aware to the natural environment around you. All those things you may have missed before, suddenly grab your attention. When you’re less distracted, you mind is calmer too and troubling thoughts may just disappear. Your capacity to feel awe increases massively. An emotion which many scientists now believe is more important than happiness ( read more about awe here ). This feeling not only makes you feel more positive, it helps you regain a sense of perspective on life. Certainly I’ve stood on top of a wild moor and seen a huge star-filled sky and it’s taken my breath away. No matter how many times I do these experiences, I feel awe which stays with me for days afterwards. I feel more connected to this world and yet at the same time just a small part of life itself. But you don’t need to be in the middle of nowhere to experience this. Take yourself to your nearest green space and look up. Or join us on one of our dark sky experiences .
We set off just before sunset, travelling slowly along the edge of this ancient land, gently waking up our senses. Taking ourselves on an adventure that would calm the mind right down and make us feel more present. Doing this meant we could feel, hear and see so much more. Meanwhile, our guide Fabian, brought our attention to visible land marks, stars, and spoke to us about the universe. It was utterly enthralling.
Sitting, huddled around a fire, cosy in blankets, we looked in awe at the star-studded sky above us. Feeling alive and zinging from the twilight-cum-night walk we'd just done and the wildlife we'd heard and seen.
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Its easy to succumb to the settee when it gets dark. Days are shorter and there’s less time to get outside. Our mood can also be affected. Mini adventures might just be the ticket for combatting those winter blues. Your horizons expand when you break away from your usual routine. And your happy chemicals get stimulated too. So head outdoors and enjoy nocturnal activities – and give yourself a boost.
