We played in the snow
Those who live in the Nordics venture out into nature on a regular basis. They make it a priority to go outside, even in the coldest months. Americans don’t do this. A study mentioned on Yale Environment 360 “underlines what many people have intuitively known for years: that the increasing use of computers, smart phones, televisions, and other technology, coupled with a growing movement from rural areas, is pulling many Americans away from the natural world. ‘It is increasingly normal to spend little time outside,’ the report states.”
The interesting thing mentioned in this study is that even though it’s normal for Americans to spend so little time outside, most people recognize the loss and have expressed a desire to spend more time in nature. In other words, we all want to be outdoors, but not many act on it.
Our family has been taking weekend walks in the woods as often as possible for months now, trying to make it a regular habit. The ski resort we like to visit looks a lot like the Norwegian countryside we see on SlowTV. Today we were expecting chilly fall weather and lots of fallen leaves, but got a surprise: there was snow! It was from the resort’s snow makers, but it was still snow and the kids loved it. We weren’t dressed properly, of course. Their little hands froze as they played in it. The joy on their faces, though, as they stomped and raced and scooped up the snow, and again as they learned how to warm their hands by the outdoor fire pit or breathe warm air on them to make them feel better. That was priceless. And the escape and renewal we all felt. That was bliss.
It takes a bit of effort to get out into nature. You have to get dressed properly. You have to get yourself to an outdoor location that is likely far from your home. You have to take some time away from work and chores and screens. But there are great returns to getting outside.
There is real truth to the healing power of nature. We feel relieved, connected and renewed as soon as we leave the city and are surrounded by trees. The longer we stay, the better we feel.
The report in the Yale article says “connection to nature is not a dispensable amenity, but rather is essential to the health, economic prosperity, quality of life, and social well-being of all Americans.” Being in tune with nature and its patterns resets our internal systems. It allows us to shed the stress that builds up like plaque on our soul. Nordics act on that innate urge to be in nature. And they benefit from it. So go outside. Then you can benefit, too.
What did I learn from this?
Make time for nature on a regular basis.