Waiting to Exhale: Psychological Benefits of Nature on Stress Reduction

Glacier National Park

Waiting to exhale? You know what I am talking about. Many of us hold it in all day or some for multiple days. It is that exhale after dealing with a difficult decision, when reaching home after a long hard day, or when your arms around someone you love. That is the same feeling I feel when I am out in the middle of nature. This exhale that I am talking about doesn’t happen right away when I get out of the car, even though my nose may be filled with the great smells of the Evergreen trees or the fishy beach. It comes a little later, when I have gotten far enough away from the city and when the sounds of nature have take over. Only then that exhale I have been waiting for comes - the exhale of letting go and feeling like I’ve somehow returned home after a long journey. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been talking with several of my friends about this feeling, this exhale. Many of them have said they never thought of it this way. But all of them said they feel “good” after being out in nature. Actually, several studies have shown psychological benefits to natures’ experience. These benefits include reduction of stress, improved sense of well-being, increased surgery recovery; prevent shortsightedness, and even increasing children’s cognitive development. These might have been one of the reasons my parents were big on camping and spending time with nature when I was a kid or maybe it just made them too, feel “good”. Now, as an adult, I don’t get out as much as I would like to however, one of my most favorite times of the year for hiking and camping is September. September is on the cusp of summer and fall when leaves are begin to change from green to beautiful colors of yellow, red and orange. It has cooled down so early evening campfires and snuggling under blankets drinking warm cocoa make for a great evening. The summer crowds are gone and after Labor Day, many campsites reduce their fees making camping less expensive and I’ve even camped for free. The only hard part about hiking and camping in the Pacific Northwest, is deciding where to go. There are so many incredible places - mountains, waterfalls, rivers, valleys, dessert, dunes, beaches, caves, wildlife, and forests. Where ever you decide to go this September, just make sure it is long and far enough away to get that relaxing “exhale” and to give yourself nature’s gift.

Kayaking In Bend, Oregon

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.

The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”

- John Muir, the founder of the Sierra Club