Alleviate Depression: Get Out in Nature!

Depression causes physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual pain. It inhibits healthy relationships and personal growth. It can occur at any age, and does not discriminate between race, gender or economic status.

Depressive symptoms may include sadness, melancholy, distress, irritability, emptiness, anger, and hopelessness, with loss of pleasure or interest. Individuals may experience significant weight gain or loss, insomnia or hypersomnia, fatigue or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt, and diminished ability to think or concentrate. Negative or pessimistic thoughts may be present.

Millions of people worldwide suffer from depression. Depressive disorders are categorized as major depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, and minor depressions such as persistent depressive disorder, with recurrent, psychotic, or catatonic features (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

So... considering the severity of depression, what can we do to heal this pain?

Western medicine or biomedicine is the traditional or conventional healing practice in the United States utilized to treat depression. Traditional health care treats depression with psychological interventions, pharmacologic therapies, or a combination of both psychological and pharmacologic treatments, effectively.

However, the traditional medical model for treating depression separates the mind and body and does not account for personal spiritual or other significant experiences that impact the health and condition of the mind and body. Mental health issues, such as depression, originate from biological, genetic, environmental irregularities and influences. Therefore, a one dimensional model is inadequate to treat depression and the various emotional problems people experience.

As a mental health clinician, my professional goal is to provide treatment services to reduce and heal emotional, mental, and spiritual pain, promote health and wellbeing, and assist in personal development and growth. Since people are complex and unique beings, factors such as personality, genetics, environment, spiritual connections, and the interaction of each of these factors influences how a person works through and heals depression.

The opposite of depression is feeling alive and hopeful.

Nature is ALIVE. Nature is dynamic and vibrant. The natural motion of Nature is to move forward, you cannot be stuck. In Nature there is an increased experiential awareness of living and being in the present moment. There is peace and not anxiety. Nature accepts us as we are, without judgment or criticism.

In Nature there is beauty and abundance. Nature offers possibilities, opportunities and multiple perspectives. It does not process life linearly. Nature creates innately and reminds of our creative energies. Nature gives us permission to explore and discover our Divine Self and Purpose.

All you have to do is show up in Nature. Just be.

I invite you to step out into Nature. Go for a walk or a hike, get in a canoe or kayak, or simply step out in your backyard. Breathe and be aware of the air filling your lungs. Exhale and release all stress and tension. Do it again and again and again. Bring your awareness to the sounds around you, the Earth beneath you, the Sun or Rain on your face. Listen to the Wind. Quiet your mind and just be. Feel the hope of the day. Alleviate depression.