Untamed Nature Is Not A Luxury: It’s A Necessity

– Posted in: Garden Musings

road-sun-rays-path

“My days in the wilderness will live with me always. Everything there is so alive and familiar. The very stones seem talkative and brotherly. One fancies a heart like our own must be beating in every crystal and cell. No wonder when we consider that we all have the same Father and Mother” ~ John Muir, My Life With Nature

As gardeners, most of us tend to our own parcel of land from which we create beauty, joy, bounty, and meaning.

Yet, even with our appreciation of plants, it is all too easy to forget about the importance of taking the time to be in untamed nature. When you spend time in a woodlands, a forest, or at a secluded seashore, you have an opportunity to immerse yourself in the nature that surrounds you, almost becoming a part of it.

Several studies done over the years show that contact with nature increases the feelings of well-being, awe, optimism, joy, and what I call gloriosity.

This 3′ video beautifully illustrates the power and of the wilderness and why it fuels our sense of well-being.

 

Now it’s your turn! Do you take time from your schedule to immerse yourself in an untamed, natural setting? If so, I would love to hear more about it.

Fran Sorin

Fran is the author of the highly-acclaimed book, Digging Deep: Unearthing Your Creative Roots Through Gardening, which Andrew Weil, M.D., recommends as "a profound and inspiring book."  

A graduate of the University of Chicago with Honors in Psychology, she is also a gardening and creativity expert, coach, inspirational speaker, CBS radio news gardening correspondent, and Huffington Post Contributor.

Learn more about Fran and get free resources that will help you improve your life at www.fransorin.com.

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Fran Sorin
11 comments… add one

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Lisa - Ontario February 17, 2016, 9:08 am

I found that I was getting “jittery” when I wasn’t getting enough exposure to the natural world. My garden wasn’t enough to keep the shakes at bay. I ended up buying a very rustic cottage 2 1/2 hours away that allows my children and I an escape to nature trails from our doorstep, and paddling on very wild remote waters. Winter can be a problem. The weather can prevent us from going up and your health needs to be top notch to snowshoe. Last winter was extreme on both counts, but I am doing much better this year.

Karen tandy February 17, 2016, 12:10 pm

Thank you for this video! It was exquisite and peaceful.

Priscilla February 17, 2016, 2:44 pm

Such an important aspect to a fulfilling life Whether it be for a few hours , a day, or more. I think it’s an essential aspect to being a landscape designer and a fulfilled human being to surround oneself with WILDNESS AND feel the presence of the Natural World. I TRY TO DO IT AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE TO REMIND MYSELF THAT I’m only a small part of something much bigger.

Anne of green gardens February 17, 2016, 10:59 pm

Fran, thanks for the reminder about wild spaces and their important and necessity for well-being. I used to work near an arboretum which gave the illusion of a wild space and my daily walks there always boosted my mood. now I’m not near it and I miss that.

Fran Sorin February 18, 2016, 5:05 am

Anne- I know that feeling. When I lived in the suburbs of Philadelphia, I was near Haverford College’s walking trail…..which miraculously enough was maintained as a real woodland. I took my dogs there for their daily romp. It was revitalizing..a very different experience than spending time in one’s own garden. Thanks for your comment! Fran

Fran Sorin February 18, 2016, 5:09 am

Priscilla,
Thanks so much for expressing your thoughts. I couldn’t have said it better. I agree that it is critical as a landscape designer to immerse yourself in wildness and natural landscapes. But you know what? I think as a human being—-regardless of whether or not you even garden—-it is a prescription for living a vital, healthy life. And amen to reminding yourself that all of us are a small part of something much bigger. How true….and the most important thing to remember, I think, is that we truly are all connected and one. Appreciate your comment! Fran

Fran Sorin February 18, 2016, 5:10 am

Karen- With pleasure. It had a similar impact on me. Warm Regards, Fran

Fran Sorin February 18, 2016, 5:13 am

Lisa-
Bravo to you for taking the initiative of buying a rustic cottage for you and your kids to escape to. I’m impressed. Am so glad that it is helping out. I don’t know what part of Ontario you live in but my daughter-in-law is from Toronto, and it can have some pretty cold winters. I graduated from high school in Montreal…all I remember is that we went from winter to summer…..with little spring. You’ve prompted me to give some thoughts on how to get the benefits of a woodland or wild setting when weather doesn’t cooperate. Anyway, am glad that this year you are doing much better. Warmly, Fran

debbie February 18, 2016, 7:21 am

Hi Fran, thank you for the lovely road thru the woods, it’s the kind of path that I want to explore. We have 80 acres in NW Illinois that occupies us most weekends as we’re trying to clear the nasty invasive species and re-plant with oaks, hickories and other hardwoods. My husband is a Chicago city boy but he gets the shakes if he doesn’t get to escape. Its been wonderful learning a new ecosystem…it’s called the Driftless area because the glaciers bypassed us.

Fran Sorin February 18, 2016, 11:38 am

Debbie- Lucky you having 80 acres in NW Illinois. How exciting. Your hard work will be worth it on the other end when you rid yourself of the invasive species and see new growth and under stories developing. And how terrific that your husband has taken to the Driftless area as well. (I will now have to look this up). Please keep me posted it as your wildness becomes a bit more tamed!! Warmly, Fran

Charlie@Seattle Trekker February 23, 2016, 6:41 am

The video is stunning, I do love spending time in the forests an on mountain trails.

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