Nature, a Natural Aid for Depression

Live Holistically is a multi-author site.
This post was written by: Susan Blue

Getting out in nature!

Clean air! No city noise! If you are around water, there are negative ions in the air. The breath becomes more relaxed. It is harder for the mind to hang its fixations on to anything.

My clients who have been most successful in dealing with depression spend as much time in the great out doors as they can. Some have gone so far as to live outside of town. A few others found ways to make a living in very small communities surrounded by nature.

Those who spend a few hours in nature show it.

Their skin tone looks healthier, they have a little color from the sun, they are generally more peaceful. They report less agitation from their thoughts and they simply feel better. For some, getting out is hard to do. For most, they can get out easily, but it is low priority until something clicks inside, “This is the way to live better.” It is a quiet aha. The changes are profound.

What I see is a more flexible, resourceful person.

Their patterns of thinking for problem solving change. They express more of their unique creativity. I see a blossoming of physical health that they don’t get from the gym. The struggle with depression is still there, but it doesn’t have the same effect. They know they can have their moments of happiness and peace. They feel better overall.

Some people are severely depressed.

The following stories are about 2 very functional people who found nature as their source of balance.

He lives outside a farming community. His cows and chickens all have names. They run to him, not only for the food but also for the love given them. The cows get their ears scratched and back ends pounded on. The chickens get their names called out with a recital of how they scratch, peck and lay eggs. He could be a country poet! His sharp observations of animal behavior and eccentricities are engaging. Everyone wants to hear about his boys and girls. He is skilled with animal husbandry and he is quick to use the Internet for problem solving for his small farm. He reports that the only reason he gets out of bed is because of their dependency. There is no one else to feed them. There is no one else to let them out for the day.

For him, watching the morning sun come up and having happy animals around him makes the dark nag of the mind less of a weight to bear. Day after day he struggles to get out of bed. It has been that way since he was a young teen. His family put him on medication a couple of times. The medications were not compatible with his physiology. The turmoils that he endured from the medications convinced him that he was better not to be medicated at all. About 20 years ago he discovered essential oils. He uses them during his more severe periods of depression. But that is another story.

Another client is out every week end. The hikes and climbing of mountains are impressive. Being older, she reports slowing down, being less driven to accomplish the goal of the week end. Having goals of getting to the top of Mt. ___ or making the 8 mile walk kept her on track. She reports that having a focus makes her depression much easier to deal with. She focuses on the goal rather than the depression.

Her years in the mountains keep her from having the melt downs in her profession. T he rigorous walks blew the pent up pressures out and her mind would clear. She could begin her week of work with 2 days of “I can manage this.” Then the pressure was on and building.

Before she knew it was essential to get out and away, her life was chaotic. Job reprimands and loss were common. Relationships, both with friends and hubby were very rocky. The chanced joining of a mountain hiking club changed her life. She was able to wean herself off medication within 3 years. She stayed in her profession, but found a position where she could leave at quiting time and not have to come in during the weekend. She doesn’t have the money that she once had, but it is well worth it. She has been unmedicated for over 15 years. S he also has a large bag of tricks that she uses to stabilize herself. But for her, the great out doors is the primary and necessary key for her management.

I have several other clients who are medicated.

Nature has been a big factor for their sense of well-being and functionality. They are out almost every weekend in one way or another. Some of them walk daily. They have found a bike trail or golf course that they walk. Sometimes I think these people seem more sane and better adjusted than my non-depressed clients.