I recently returned from a training that focused heavily on stress reduction techniques. For most of us, a walk in the forest or along a lovely beach was something that helped us to relax and decompress. Getting out into nature is not just a distraction – research shows that time in nature is beneficial to every human. Lack of time in nature has a name: Nature Deficit Disorder – and is a real condition with real consequences. One study that focused on youth and young adults demonstrates that exposure to nature improves cognitive functioning, decreases attention deficit disorder, and promotes self-awareness.
All of us can benefit from time outdoors. However, we may not always take stock of how we feel when we are out in nature. When you get outside over the summer – at the Preserve or elsewhere – write down three words about how you feel before you leave and then again when you return to your starting point. I suspect a lot of people might be surprised by the difference in how they feel.
For this reason, and so many more, caring for our lands and waterways is truly an act of self-care. As a Foundation focused on protecting and preserving the forests and waterways of the Salish Sea region, we continue to do work on the Preserve as well as support like-minded groups like Friends of Miller Bay as they work to protect a 40-acre forest from logging. In a time when urban areas are growing, our outdoor space is becoming even more precious.
We hope you take a little time each week to take a walk in nature. And, we welcome you to join us in our work to keep our wild spaces wild for humans, wildlife and fish.
– Katha Miller-Winder, President