We must go out and re-ally ourselves to Nature every day. We must make root, send out some little fibre at least, even every winter day. I am sensible that I am imbibing health when I open my mouth to the wind. Staying in the house breeds a sort of insanity always.
– Journal Entry, December 29, 1856
Some of my favorite moments in life are waking up in the wilderness. The crisp air, the sounds of trees rustling in the wind, and the sight of animals scourging for breakfast is nature’s poetry. John Muir remarks that going to the woods is going home. We don’t have to spend the night in nature to reap its benefits, but we do have to leave the house regularly to do so.
In her book, The Nature Fix, Florence Williams writes, “We don’t experience natural environments enough to realize how restored they can make us feel.” Being in nature consistently fosters good health, improves creativity, and enhances empathy. Williams notes that it doesn’t have to be extensive. Obviously the more remote the better, but even a daily walk among the trees at your local park or state preservation area will benefit your mind and body.
And, as Thoreau says, leave the house even in winter. This is difficult in many parts of the country, but the benefits are more profound for those living in the harshest climates. As we leave the house for nature, we connect to our past and experience sights and sounds that enhance our awareness of the world around us.
Go to the forest. Take a friend. Connect with each other and to nature. It’s good for the soul.
