My Journey Back to Balance: How Nature Became My Healer

I used to work in healthcare, spending long shifts under harsh fluorescent lights, loud noises, constantly running on caffeine, adrenaline and sheer willpower. On the outside, I looked like I had it together, but inside, I was stressed, in pain and utterly exhausted. My body ached, my sleep was a mess, and my nervous system felt like it was on overdrive 24/7. One day, out of desperation more than anything, I started spending time outside. I lived in Florida at the time so going to the beach was an obvious choice because it was easily assessible and close by. It started with a 30 minute walk on the beach, which later increased to more than an hour after work everyday. I tried sitting under a tree during lunch, but the Florida heat was difficult to manage especially with a business suit on. So then, I started kicking off my heels and standing barefoot in the grass. Slowly but surely, I began to feel different. Calmer. More grounded. My anxiety eased, my energy came back, and the chronic issues I had been battling started to fade. It was like nature had quietly stepped in and said, “I’ve got you.”

It wasn't long after that I decided to pack up the life I knew in Florida and move across the country to the PNW. The vast forests, thundering waterfalls and cool mountain breezes were calling my name. My soul was calling me home, but at the time I was being guided by sheer survival just to get out of the knotted stress-ball I was living in in Florida. Moving across the country to be closer to the wilderness that I love was life changing for me. My stress decreased, my mental health improved, my constant pain started to fade. All the things that plagued me from my life in Florida had shifted drastically. Can I give full credit to the healing power of the Earth? No. But I can give some credit to myself for leaving that energy draining job and taking action toward a more aligned lifestyle for myself.

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Sunshine for the Soul
There’s something magical that happens the moment you step outside and let the sun hit your skin. It’s like your soul exhales. Living in the PNW it can be a struggle in the winter months to get enough sunshine on your face. That hit me like a tons of bricks when I moved from the Sunshine State to the Evergreen State in November. I quickly invested in a HAPPY LAMP and it definitely helped my mood as well as my pets!

But I began to realize that even though sunshine played a vital role in my health, there was something more to healing. It was BALANCE. I had plenty of sun living in Florida, but that wasn't the issue for me. It was alignment. I wasn't aligned with where my soul was gently nudging me to be. I didn't have work/life balance. I didn't have a balance being inside and outside. I didn't have balance with spending time with others vs spending time alone. Exchanging hot sandy beaches for lush evergreen forests was my balance, my peace. Turning off my electronics and spending more time in silence was my balance, my peace. Moving to a country town vs living in the city was my balance, my peace. So if you are feeling out of alignment, the best thing to do is ask yourself, "What is my balance? What is my peace?" and let your soul gently guide you there. 


Uninstall Stress, Install Nature: The Original Mental Health App
Spending time outdoors because my happy place in a real, "I can breathe again" kind of way. Studies back it up: time in nature lowers cortisol levels, reduces anxiety, improves mood and boosts creativity. It’s like your brain finally gets a break from all the notifications, deadlines and the 27 tabs open in your head. I struggled with obsessive compulsive habits most of my life, but being out in nature and calming my nervous system changed me. I no longer struggle with anxiety and depression that once took over my life.  After I moved to the PNW I started taking daily walks in the woods near my house. No music, no podcasts, just me, the birds and the occasional marmot yapping at me to get out of its territory. I felt lighter. I slept better. My phone screen time dropped. Coincidence? Not a chance!

One of the biggest game-changers for me was discovering something called forest bathing, which thankfully does not involve an actual bathtub in the woods. It’s a Japanese practice known as Shinrin-yoku, and it basically means mindfully spending time in a forested area, letting your senses soak in the sights, sounds, smells and textures around you. No power walking. No podcasts. Just you and the trees. Studies have shown that forest bathing can reduce blood pressure, lower cortisol (that pesky stress hormone), and boost your immune system. Personally, I found that even 30 minutes of slow wandering among the trees helped me feel lighter and more at peace, almost like my body remembered how to relax. It’s less about “doing” and more about “being,” which is something I didn’t realize I needed until I stopped listening to the distractions and chaos around me.

Barefoot and Blissful: How Grounding Heals
One of the things that really changed the game for me was something called grounding or earthing. Sounds woo-woo? I thought so too. But then I kicked off my shoes and stood barefoot in the grass like a curious toddler, and... wow! Flashbacks of the early 80's, a more nostalgic time for me as a 5 year old running around the woods with no shoes on reminded me of a time when my soul was purely happy! It didn't make mom happy when I came home covered in grass stains and dirt, but boy did I feel alive! 

Grounding is the practice of connecting directly with the Earth’s surface, whether that's barefoot walking on grass, soil, sand, or even dipping your toes in a stream. The idea is that our bodies absorb the Earth's natural electrons, which can help neutralize free radicals, reduce inflammation and stabilize our internal systems. Science is still exploring the full picture, but honestly, I didn’t need a lab report. I felt calmer, more centered and strangely energized after just a few minutes of grounding.

Now I make a little ritual of it. Morning tea? Barefoot in the backyard. Lunch break? Quick stroll to the park to dig my bare toes in the grass. There’s a simple joy in it that feels almost rebellious in today’s tech-driven world. Like, “No boss, I won’t check my email. I’m balancing my chakras and standing in the dirt dang it!”

Let Nature Work Its Magic
You don’t have to move to a cabin in the woods (though if you do, please invite me)! You just need moments: a walk under the trees, a few deep breaths with your feet in the grass, or a weekend getaway where your phone doesn’t get signal. Nature doesn’t demand much. It just offers space to reset, to reflect and to feel whole again.

If you’re curious about starting your own grounding journey or learning more about the benefits of earthing, I recommend checking out Earthing Harmony. They’ve got amazing resources, guides and products to help bring that natural balance back into your daily routine even if you live in a high-rise with no grass in sight. Save $10 off your order when you purchase through The Existential Empath today!

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So here’s your friendly reminder: go outside. Touch a tree. Take off your shoes (and socks). Let nature heal your nervous system. You don’t have to do much just show up. The Earth has got the rest taken care of!