Connecting With the Earth

If you have been mostly indoors, not out breathing fresh air; looking at screens, not horizons; absorbing noise, not stillness; or holding tension, not touching the earth, then keep reading; this post is for you.

When I lived in NYC, I could see a small piece of Central Park from the window of the apartment building I was residing in. The sight of beautiful trees among a sea of cement was always uplifting. By taking a few minutes to stare at that patch of green, I could feel some of my tension melt away, and my mood would get a boost.

I’ve always loved being out in nature. It wasn’t until my late 30s that I discovered why that is. Until then, I had no idea I was an empath or what an empath even was. I came to learn that, for me, nature isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

If you are at all sensitive, HSP, and/or an empath (I classify as all 3), being out in nature is a non-negotiable if you want to regulate your nervous system, calm your mind, and/or connect with your heart and soul.

If you feel overstimulated for no reason, feel tired but can’t rest, have a monkey mind that won’t stop, feel disconnected from yourself, crave quiet but avoid it, or feel “off” but can’t explain why, then you’re being given a sign that you need to get out into nature.

Nature is medicinal. I’m not just referring to all of the wonderful plants and their healing properties. When you walk barefoot, you’re grounding your nervous system. By taking in some sun, it helps support your mood and energy. Being around trees and flowers, out in the fresh air, helps lower your stress hormones.

I’ve been fortunate to experience nature in its grandeur - from deserts to diving her oceans, from scaling mountains and volcanoes to walking among the Redwoods and Sequoias, and from observing her geysers to experiencing her vortices (energy power centers) - Mother Earth never ceases to amaze me.

From swimming with sea turtles, manta rays, and dolphins in the wild to holding a koala, riding a camel, and hand-feeding wild deer - these soul-filling experiences remain in my heart. From being attacked by a wild monkey to super close encounters with black bears, from being stung by hornets and wasps to coming within a foot of rattle snakes - I have learned to have a very healthy respect for the non-human.

The endless varieties of insects, reptiles, mammals, birds, and fish, who also call this planet home, create such diversity and all have a role within the larger ecosystem. When you think about it, the Earth and its inhabitants are truly wondrous.

You don’t have to book a trip to a mountain, ocean, rainforest, or desert (though if you can sometime, I highly recommend it). You can go to a nearby park, or if you have a yard, spend some time there. The point is to get out in nature sans electronics.

To give yourself an opportunity to really connect with the Earth, try the following 3-minute exercise (you can listen to the audio version below).

🌿

Go outside and stand with your bare feet planted firmly on the ground.

Imagine you are breathing up through the soles of your feet (not only does this help you ground yourself, but it also helps you breathe more deeply from your diaphragm).

Inhale through the soles of your feet, and as you exhale, feel your shoulders drop.

Inhale once more from the soles of your feet, and as you exhale, allow your shoulders to drop down even more.

Close your eyes (or lower your eyes) and feel the sunlight or the breeze on your skin.

What do you hear? What do you smell?

Bring your attention to your heart.

What are 3 things you are grateful for from nature?

Picture each one and give thanks.

Hold that sensation of gratitude in your heart.

Breathe in and feel that gratitude expand throughout your heart.

As you exhale, send that gratitude down your body and into the earth.

Breathe in and allow the gratitude to expand in your heart.

Exhale and send that gratitude out through the soles of your feet deep into the earth.

Once more, inhale and expand that gratitude; exhale and send it down to Mother Earth.

Place your hands over your heart, and when you are ready, open your eyes.

🌿

Nature is healing, grounding, and calibrating. She helps us connect to ourselves on a deeper level. There is so much that nature can teach us if we’re willing to observe and listen. But that requires actually getting outdoors and interacting with her. This is your invitation to do just that.

Heart Hugs, Adrienne 💕