“I believe the world is incomprehensibly beautiful — an endless prospect of magic and wonder.”~ Ansel Adams
Are you a biophile—one who finds the world incomprehensibly beautiful?
On a recent trip to the beautiful state of Colorado I learned the term ‘biolphilia’ while reading a fascinating book called The Secret Therapy of Trees: Harness the Healing Energy of Forest Bathing and Natural Landscapes by Marco Mencagli and Marco Nieri. According to the authors, biophilia is defined as the innately emotional affiliation of human beings to other living organisms. Basically, a biophile is a nature lover!
Years of research have proven what most of us know intuitively that nature is healing. The benefits of nature are endless with so many positive impacts on our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health and wellbeing. Spending time in nature reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, improves mood, focus, and sleep, strengthens our immune system, cancer-fighting cells, and overall health, and inspires creativity and a sense of wellbeing.
Whenever I ask people what activities they find deeply nurturing they tell me spending time in nature. Not only do they share that being in nature is restorative and therapeutic, but they talk about experiences that highlight how nature is healing by helping us connect to the present moment, our authentic selves, and the wider world in a deeply meaningful way. Being in nature invokes a feeling that all is well in the world and supports us in feeling grounded and centered.
Since I was a child, I have been blessed to experience the rejuvenating power of nature. I connect to the profound magic and beauty of nature and am regularly filled with awe, wonder and deep gratitude. I love to be in nature hiking, hugging trees, and soaking up the sunshine. I feel refreshed being near the ocean and often drive or walk along the beach, watching the sun shimmering on the water, whales spouting, and witnessing glorious sunrises and sunsets. The power of this beauty has inspired a constant flow of joy and gratitude that has become the foundation of my self-nurturing practice.
I love the ocean and mountains, but the forest holds my heart. Forests seems to breathe with me and embrace me with their sacred silence. I feel such reverence walking amongst these trees and always feel like I have come home. I love watching the sun lighting up the leaves and branches and creating layers of light and amazing reflections. Every step I take through the forest is in deep awe and wonder and I feel so nourished and healed by the experience.
As John Muir wrote, “This is the best tree-lover’s monument…in all the forests of the world.” Indeed, my deep love of trees had led me over and over again to the forest. And for that I am so grateful as the healing I experienced in the forest during this most recent trip to Colorado was truly remarkable.
Prior to my trip I had been struggling with Covid symptoms for over three months. Since I have not been able to breathe well and have had absolutely no energy, I did not think I would be able to handle the altitude or any of my nurturing nature activities. I set an intention before I left that I would have a healing experience whether I could hike in the forest or just sit at the base of the mountains near a tree and soak up the healing power of nature.
And an amazing thing happened. I experienced a miracle healing! After many months of not being able to breathe deeply I imagined being at a high altitude would be challenging. As soon as we arrived in Boulder, I connected with the healing power of nature, put my feet in the grass at the park, and walked around looking at all the beautiful flowers, trees, and plants as we waited to check in to our cabin. Remarkably I started to feel more energized. Then we watched a magnificent sunset over the mountains, gazed at the stars, and listened to the swaying trees from the porch of our cabin at the base of the mountains in Chautauqua. The next morning, I felt well enough to hike up the mountain into the forest and was so inspired and amazed at my renewed energy and ability to breathe more deeply.
My feeling of renewed health and wellbeing grew each day as I spent more and more time nurturing myself in nature. I even read The Secret Therapy of Trees while sitting on a big rock under an amazing pine tree after hiking into the foothills, which was a highlight of the trip for me. I hugged many trees and witnessed so much incredible beauty that I lived in a deep place of gratitude during the trip. I feel better than I have in months which has reignited my enthusiasm for the healing power of nature. I am so incredibly grateful to feel better and I give nature all the credit!
To support you in embracing the healing power of nature I invite you to reflect on the following questions:
- Where do you go in nature to rejuvenate?
- How often do you nurture yourself in nature?
- How does connecting with the beauty around you change how you view the world?
- How does nature support your health and wellbeing?
- How can you include more time in nature like walking, gardening, sitting under a tree, watching the clouds, and/or appreciating the beauty around you?
As Rachel Carson reminds us, “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts… There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
May you connect with the healing and nurturing power of nature and nurture peace in the world from the inside out!
Sending you so much peace, love and gratitude, Kelley
