By Liz Neroni, Naturalist
I’m extremely blessed, but I also understand that sometimes life can be very difficult.
A ten-year relationship ends, a family member falls to illness, or a beloved pet dies—or multiple pets, in my case. Sadness creeps in and these losses pull on your heartstrings until they snap. Ultimately saying goodbye, though different circumstances, is extremely hard. With no choice, you wake up the next day knowing they will not be there.
Or, maybe it’s financial. Your stovetop shatters, the air conditioning unit and your furnace break, your car breaks down, and then your basement floods—all in a 6-month period. You have to choose to pay bills rather than enjoying a night out with friends and you get that sinking feeling when you get the mail. Life can throw some unexpected and sometimes debilitating blows.
Working too many hours or working on a project that is tough and getting nowhere. Perhaps you put so much energy and passion into something for it to just be cancelled. Motivation wanes and it becomes even more stressful. You’re bogged down—only to come home to do chores, run the kids (what seems like around the globe) to all their practices and school requirements, make dinner, get zero rest or recovery, just to do it all again the next day.
Whatever you are facing and whatever difficult obstacle you have lying before your feet, take your next step outside. Breathe in the fall crisp air, let the sun sit on your skin, listen to the leaves crunch under your feet.
Stop the cycle and give yourself a second. Realize it is okay to not be okay and that you might need a break to heal or recharge those batteries. We, as humans, have the tendency to put too much on our plate, our mind, and our hearts. Don’t let it consume you and let nature help.
Nature is the best thing that can change your mood. It is a safe place, where you can escape, or somewhere you can go to process everything. It’s free and can be found within the most pristine preserve or in an urban setting.
You can cry, yell, sit silently, walk for miles, watch a caterpillar eat a leaf, listen intently, or just be in the present. It can remind you of all the good and beautiful things that are in your life. So, put a leash on your dog, grab the one you love, wrangle up the family, or go by yourself- but it’s time to go outdoors.
Find your outdoors at a Preservation Park location near you.
