Caring for Ourselves by Caring for Nature

We talk a lot about the various forms of wellness here at The Workbench, but one thing that every form depends on, in one way or another, is nature. When we commune with nature by gardening, walking through the woods, picking up litter, having a picnic, or swimming in one of Wisconsin’s many lakes, we’re taking part in a symbiotic relationship. We take care of the earth, and it, in turn, takes care of us.

Taking care of nature is a way of taking care of ourselves. We plant trees, which in turn provide us with fresh oxygen and shade. By gardening and tending to the soil, we are rewarded with fresh foods, vitamin D exposure, and a boost for our immune system. Many people find the repetitive act of pulling weeds or pruning greenery to be meditative, creating a sense of present moment awareness often lost in the day-to-day hustle and bustle of our fast-paced society. After meticulously caring for the assortment you’ve grown you feel a greater sense of pride and a closer connection to the food you are eating, and then it’s time to harvest and enjoy the literal fruits of your labor. In doing so, you may learn or even create a brand new recipe, incorporating a creative, culinary form of wellness. 

If outdoor gardening isn’t an appealing option, a similar meditative effect can be achieved by taking care of a houseplant or two. Getting in contact with dirt and tending to the needs of another living thing helps to literally ground us, both mentally and physically. In addition, we can reduce the likelihood and severity of environmental allergies and asthma, simply by getting in frequent contact with soil. Dirt is rich with microbes that our bodies use to fend off illness. 

As humans in the twenty-first century, we tend to forget our animalistic nature and see ourselves as something separate from it – existing entirely within apartments and office buildings, cars, and supermarkets. Especially in the Midwest, getting outside is often seen as a treat, reserved for days when the sun is shining just right and the breeze is not too strong, but not entirely absent either. In Scandinavia, the common aphorism “there’s no bad weather, only bad clothes,” speaks volumes of the region’s attitude towards the importance of getting outside, even in inclement weather. It doesn’t seem like a coincidence that Scandinavian countries make up half of the top ten happiest countries in the world. Even with notoriously cold and unpleasant weather, getting outside pays off.

Studies have proven the relationship between getting outside and feeling better. Mental health walks were popularized during the earlier days of lockdown for good reason – a study done in California shows that people who go for walks outside show decreased levels of anxiety and improved memory function compared to their treadmill-walking counterparts. It has also been shown that swimming in cold water boosts the immune system and releases stress-combatting endorphins. Most people know that exercise is important for mental and physical well-being, but it seems that exercise in conjunction with a relationship to nature produces the best possible outcome for mental health.

With options for physical wellness, social and emotional wellness, and an abundance of opportunities for fostering creativity, no matter which form of wellness you want to practice, nature most likely has a solution. A healthy relationship with nature is the foundation for every other aspect of well-being. When we care for the earth around us, nature returns the favor by rewarding us with ample resources with which to take care of ourselves and our communities.