Nurture Yourself with Nature

For my son, the pandemic lockdown was tough. He was only 4, and his world quickly shrunk to the walls of our house and our very small backyard. Thankfully, we had access to the woods and the trails behind our home, which became our saving grace. He attended a mostly virtual kindergarten, and as he was about to enter the first grade, we heard about an outdoor school. The decision wasn't easy—it meant paying for a private school—but it has been a sacrifice that was so worth it.

He comes home full of stories, not just about running and playing, but about things like identifying different bird songs, thanks to a wonderful teacher. That interest in birding really took hold when he was about 9, and soon, our whole family was hooked.

Meanwhile, after our beloved dog died in the spring of 2022, we rescued a sweet foxhound mix who loves to run through the woods. We got her in the summer of that same year, and she and I have spent countless hours exploring the trail that runs right behind our home. Our daily walks have become a moving meditation where I can listen to the birds and feel the dirt under my feet.

Health, much like life, is a series of constant refinements—subtle shifts, a bit of reflection, and a lot of recognizing blind spots. I spend a lot of time helping others see their blind spots, yet I'm constantly uncovering my own. For the first few years I lived in this neighborhood, I gravitated toward the predictable sidewalk (maybe a holdover from years of city living?).

It took me a while to realize I was missing a crucial piece of my own health puzzle.

These days, my health routine has shifted to make the most of what’s right outside my door. I’ve realized it just doesn't make sense to seek foods that feed my microbiome and ignore the multitude of microbes available on the trails in my own backyard.

Three Reasons to Spend More Time in Nature

• It may boost your immune system: Trees release chemical compounds called phytoncides. Breathing in these compounds may increase the number of natural killer cells in your body, which are believed to fight disease and help prevent certain kinds of cancer.

• It may improve your mood: A lack of natural light and low vitamin D levels are linked to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). While it can be difficult to get all the vitamin D you need from sunlight, increased time outside has been shown to help mitigate the effects of SAD.

• It may ease your stress: Getting outdoors has been shown to reduce levels of salivary cortisol, a physiological marker of stress. Taking a walk in the woods or even just spending time in a park can help you feel more centered and calm.