As an introvert I love having time alone.
Better still, enjoying that time in a beautiful space is something I relish to keep myself happy and buoyant.
But I also love spending time in the company of those I know as good friends and disappearing into the Great Unknown on a remote desert camping trip.
Are you someone who also likes time alone as well as time together?
Or does the thought of feeling lonely negate that desire? You want to be with others, having a good time, because that’s what restores your energy.
This is about finding the right balance for what works for you.
Because we’re living at a time when our mental well-being is increasingly under threat from the ever-rising tide of severe chronic stress, overwhelm and exhaustion. Understanding what stress recovery technique works best for you has become increasingly important
While it’s true that the strongest driver to our mental well-being is the strength of our closest social contacts, it’s the addition of another factor that can make it even better.
Several recent events made me reflect how spending time with our tribes in a natural setting is the magic combo.
Celebrating a good friend’s birthday is always great fun and this friend, like me loves spending time outdoors. Rather than having a party, she invited family and friends to join her for a weekend on Rottnest Island, just a short 30-minute ferry ride from Perth.
Woo Hoo, and a very special lunch hosted by one of the local restaurants.
Picture this. Forty people ranging in age from 2yrs to their mid-seventies enjoying a fabulous long lunch on two very long tables overlooking the ocean.
Laughter, happy tears, amazing food and long walks along coastal paths to walk off all that food, created that unique community plus nature moment where family and friends could relax and enjoy all the fun while in a pristine coastal environment.
Another event, this time with a group of female leaders whom I greatly admire for their business acumen and success who also happen to be great fun, very down to earth and honest. Everyone spoke freely of the importance of taking enough time out to rest and recover and the need to do this far away from the urban jungle.
Whether in Bali, the NSW coast or Margaret River. The setting was always about being close to forest, the ocean or both where the choice was to walk, swim or snooze, practice yoga or just chill.
And the third event?
This is a repeat of something I’ve been involved with for the last few years. Each October a small band of women – we call ourselves ‘The Happy Thrivers’ meet in Dunsborough to join the rest of the Coastrekkers, women (and men) who have signed up to walk either 20km or 35 km along part of the Cape to Cape Walk to raise funds for Beyond Blue, the charity devoted to supporting mental health and well-being.
I’m already looking forward to being part of such a special event doing something I love (walking in nature) and contributing to something much bigger than myself in the company of hundreds of fellow walkers and volunteers, all sharing the same purpose.
Community is about that wonderful sense of belonging. You feel safe. You’re part of the team or tribe.
The combo of community and nature just takes it all to the next level for mental health and well-being because,
- It puts you in a good mood.
Time in nature helps to top up your serotonin levels, making you feel happier and calm.
- It feels rewarding.
Not only are you boosting your sense of well-being, but you’re being also more physically active, this is great for your physical health and tickling those dopamine receptors that provide a sense of reward. More tickles please!
- You’ll sleep better.
You’ve probably noticed that after a big day out with family or friends in the great outdoors, you’re tired, but hey, you sleep so much better, and for longer too.
- It strengthens social bonds.
The strongest driver to our mental wellbeing and protector against burnout is the strength of our social network.
Spontaneous conversations, shared moments of watching humpback whales frolicking in the ocean or providing a blister pack when sore feet threaten to derail someone’s goal of completing the trek, create connections with people you’ve never met or spoken with before. You come home with a whole heap of new friends – how good is that?
- It lowers stress levels.
Probably the biggest bonus for many of us is the drop in cortisol, the stress hormone and your blood pressure.
The Japanese practice of forest-bathing was introduced in the 1980’s to help stressed out businessmen who were at risk of stress-related illness such as having a stroke or heart attack or burning out.
If you’re worried you are at risk of burning out, you’re feeling horribly stressed and at risk of blowing a gasket, the simple activity of taking time out to reconnect with a friend and to get outside into a green or blue space is a fantastic way to help yourself feel better and build coping skills so you can function better too.
This is well-being in action.
How do you use community and nature to boost your own well-being?
