FREE YOUR MIND
CLAIRE THOMPSON, a qualified psychological wellbeing practitioner, explains why getting outdoors and exploring in nature brings you so much more than just physical benefits.
As I follow the path down into the stunning valley, I listen to the crashing river. I inhale the scent of the trees. I feel the gentle breeze and the warmth of the sun. Crystalline water seeps out of the cracks of every rock-face and waterfalls cascade in every direction. My senses beg me to stop and take it all in.
As I gaze up towards the towering peaks and down into the glacial valley, the entire canyon exudes pure life, an aliveness which invigorates me from the inside out. Straight ahead, the skyline capped in the last remnants of winter snow casts me with the spell of its mystery, and I begin to wonder what may be hiding beyond those distant peaks.
What creatures might live there? Has any human being ever set foot in their valleys? How long would it take to reach them? Then, as I turn my gaze skywards, I’m stunned out of my daydream by the guardians of the land – two golden eagles soaring overhead. Life doesn’t get much better than this.
Having lived through lockdown in East Anglia, I’ve missed the magic of the peaks. Immersed in mountain landscapes is where I feel I reach my own peak, a sense of wonder, meaning and possibility. It’s no surprise that spending time in mountains is the perfect way to restore our lost connection with the natural world, and with ourselves.
Mountain landscapes remind us of our humble place in the world, an integral part of a natural whole. This is a fact it’s easy to forget in our dayto-day lives, but mountains remind us that we are nature. Our bodies and minds evolved in nature
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A NATURAL HISTORY EXPERT TO ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF NATURE CONNECTION”
and we’re made of exactly the same building blocks as the rest of the natural world. Moreover, we’re related to the wonderful family of life forms that we share the planet with. The peaks are the perfect embodiment of these timeless and awe-inspiring elemental forces which govern all life on earth, including our own.
Being in the mountains also puts us back in touch with our own inner wildness. Have you ever noticed how our busy minds feel calmer and clearer by the end of a long hike? Being in these landscapes facilitates perspective and freedom to be our authentic selves. At times, this can even leave us with a trustworthy sense of what’s really important. This is because our senses are naturally stimulated by the sights and sounds of the hills. This coming into our sensory experience allows us to let go of the narratives and judgments our minds may have about how we should and shouldn’t be or should or shouldn’t feel. It’s becoming increasingly evident that freedom from these pressures is at the heart of supporting our physical and psychological well-being. Indeed, the true healing power of nature is that it gives us the chance to feel accepted and allowed to be just as we are, in every moment.
If your felt experience isn’t enough inspiration, there are plenty of scientifically proven benefits to spending time in the wild. Connecting with nature has been shown to enhance physical and psychological wellbeing, vitality, creativity, concentration and self-esteem, to name a few. Moreover, there’s increasing evidence that it’s direct contact with nature that is most important. You don’t have to be a natural history expert to enjoy the wellbeing benefits of nature connection!
Could time in the peaks be a chance to reach your own peak? Mountain landscapes remind us of our place in the world, provide a tonic for the soul, restore wellbeing and connect us with a deeper sense of ourselves.