April is Stress Awareness Month and I’ve been a little quiet.
Not because I’m stressed…
But because I spent last week in Devon attending Natural Academy’s introductory course in ecopsychology and nature-based practice.
The experience showed me how easily we can succumb to daily life’s stresses without an easy outlet to release built-up tension.
I admit I was a little anxious entering the countryside yurt on the first day for several reasons beyond my control.
- The four-hour (ish) car journey to Devon the day before was thwarted by lashing rain, snail speed motorway traffic and less-than-ideal visibility.
- Slow progress meant a last-minute decision to stay at a Premier Inn in Weston-Super-Mare to avoid wrestling with a tent in pitch blackness and torrential downpour.
- Despite forceful winds and a pitch at the peak of a soggy grassy hill, a break from the showers offered a window to erect the tent on arrival.
It took a while to ease into the flow of discussing nature, health and wellbeing
Partly because my mood mirrored the turbulent weather beyond the canvas protection and log fire warmth of the yurt and partly because I find it difficult to unwind and live at a slow pace – even though I know it’s better for me.
What I experienced over the three days was a sense of deep relaxation and connectedness with nature.
My thoughts were curious and creative, even though sometimes challenged.
Spending three days immersed in Devonshire beauty was nourishing and gratifying – on a fundamental level, yet with profound insight.
Fellow ecopsychology explorers were open-minded, supportive and welcoming.
We were on a quest to learn more about our relationship with nature and how we can improve our wellbeing and of others.
Most people are disconnected from nature and switched off to the psychological and physiological benefits that the connection 100% creates.
An age-old connection present since the beginning of time that we have somehow lost.
Perhaps through technological advancement and the need to harness the earth’s natural resources for comfort and convenience.
I’m forever grateful to have participated in the Natural Academy course. To Rhonda Brandrick and Freddy Weaver for sharing their knowledge and to have met incredible people with similar intentions.
I’ve learnt so much and will soon put this knowledge into practice with wellness walks, outdoor creative writing, and personality exploration.
In what ways do you ease the stresses of daily life?