What if the age-old quandary of nature versus nurture, the chicken or the egg, biology versus environment were reframed and reimagined? And what if we could use both critical aspects of human life and development to support our growth and wellness right now?
One cannot control how they were brought into the world nor the challenges they were born into. However, we can use the basic building blocks of life to our advantage and enrichment: Literally being in, with, and a part of nature, AND being able to self-care and nurture one’s own self love and unique make up CAN impact and interact with one’s genetics and environment. Epigenetics help us understand how environmental factors and lifestyle choices can influence how our genes are expressed or manifested, which can have far reaching impacts on outcomes of health, disease, and even intergenerational transmission of traits and trauma. So, while genes provide an important blueprint – experiences, lifestyle, and other environmental factors can switch genes on or off.
By taking this strengths-based approach, we can capitalize on the immense internal and external resources accessible to human beings. The ability to connect with our natural environment: the earth, trees, animals, flowers, water, air, mountains, snow, sunsets, breezes, rustling leaves to name a few; is integral to our mental and physical health and overall wellbeing. Spending time in nature impacts on one’s health in various ways: neurochemical changes (release of neurotransmitters that affect mood and anxiety), vitamin D synthesis (sunlight exposure critical to mental and physical health), stress response modulation (lowering cortisol levels helpful in regulating stress response), and feeling connected in nature (linked to increased opportunities for socialization and community, increased opportunities for creativity, risk taking, mastery, and control; all positively influencing physical and mental health outcomes). Likewise, our capacity for self-care and self-love, empathy, and compassion recharges our purpose and creates balance in our lives and relationships. The confluence of these factors has strong implications on how one’s genes are expressed, for the individual and potentially for generations to come.
How can you apply this renewed nature and nurture concept into your own present life, here and now, in this moment? Connection and interconnectedness are the common denominators and the two are not mutually exclusive. Be intentional about carving out time for you today to connect and recharge internally. Put down the phone and laptop; turn off the TV. Use your senses to ground you, to nurture your inner calm and peace. Integrate nature into your nurture and self-care: take mindful steps towards creating a lifestyle that connects you to the natural environments that surround you: fresh food, fresh air, sunlight, outdoor activities, plants, trees, flowers and other green or blue (water) spaces. Empower yourself to hold space for both nature and nurture in your life today; allow them to feed each other, to dance together in the unique ways that resonate for you.
