Nature: The Ultimate Drug

Floating down the Guadalupe River in the gorgeous Texas hill country, I couldn’t help but feel every inch of my body relax and my mind go blank as I stared at the wonder of nature.  Nothing else mattered in that moment but burning this picture into my memory to keep forever.  The terrain was like nothing we have seen on the east coast.  Looking up, there were massive 50 foot rock cliffs towering around us hugging the edge of the gorgeous winding river. 

The water was a calming emerald color with occasional small rapids flowing gently through the landscape.  I couldn’t even begin to count the different varieties of birds flying above or perched in the trees along the river.  Beyond the river were golden fields similar to that of an African savannah, with the occasional tree to break up the monotonous landscape.  On the edges of the river stood gigantic based bald cypress trees with branches full of moss looming over the river.  The only noise seemed to be the splash of our paddles hitting the slow moving water or our laughter and conversation filling the calm air. 

While paddling in our kayaks, it is nearly impossible to think about any stress of the day.  All your mind can comprehend is how beautiful that very moment is, while taking in the extreme peace of the world.  There is no room for any inner turmoil.  There’s only you, the landscape, and the ones you’re doing life with.  This is my therapy.  This is my happy place.  This is one of the many reasons we chose this lifestyle, because our family longs for this time together.  We NEED this time together.  This is the way we had previously escaped from the stress of a normal life and even now it is the way we find a more peaceful existence.  I am fully convinced that everyone could benefit from a little of this nature therapy in our fast pace lives.  We all need a slow stroll down the river with nothing but nature to awe and surround us.

As I have seen firsthand from my pharmacy background, we live in a world where everyone seems to take medication for anxiety and stress.  And, no wonder, we are a nation full of some seriously stressed out individuals.  (And please note, I am not saying that medication is not necessary or that nature is a replacement.)  What I do wonder, however, is if anyone is actually worried about the root causes of our stress and anxiety.  Does anyone wonder if slowing down might help or reevaluating our lives and where our time is spent?  Are we giving ourselves a break from it all?  I couldn’t help but think as I floated down the river in my kayak that doctors should really try prescribing a dose of nature on the side.  Peace.  Time for yourself.  Something as simple as nature can do so much.  The benefits are huge and totally worth the time out of your day.

Every moment we spend hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming, running on the beach, climbing up mountains are moments that lift our spirits, relax our minds, strengthen our bodies and enrich our souls.  It does something to you.  These nature outings create the best memories for our family.  These are the times we enjoy each other the most.  These are the moments we cherish and later reflect on together.  These are the moments that keep us sane in life.  In fact, maybe nature was prescribed to us for our benefit and well-being as the ultimate drug.