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Life on our planet is sustained by the four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. And, in turn they sustain us. Even though we understand that any one of those elements can be destructive, (just about everybody has experienced an earthquake, a tornado, firestorm or a flood) we require them for health, balance and wholeness. One of the ways we can honor Mother Nature is to harness the gifts of the planet’s elements for healing ourselves, physically and emotionally.
Our Earth Partner
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When we walk on the sand, the soil, or even barefoot on concrete, that connects us with the Earth’s electrons. And it also puts us more in touch with our bodies. The reason for this is that it causes a shift from the sympathetic to the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system controls the “fight or flight” response; the parasympathetic controls the body’s ability to rest, relax and digest. It can be especially effective for people who spend a lot of time at a computer or dealing with technology.
The earth element also helps with the detoxification function in our beauty routines. Applying an exfoliating mud mask to the face or the body can pull toxins out of the pores and smooth the skin.
Taking to the Waters
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Throughout history humans have used water as a healing agent, both for the mind and the body. As we sit in a warm bath our nervous system relaxes. And if we add the earth element – Epsom salts, sea salt, and or baking soda – it can also become an effective detoxification treatment for pain and muscle aches.
Jumping into a cool swimming pool or stream on a hot day is energizing and stimulating. A dip in the ocean is also powerfully purifying. Many years ago a highly respected Ayurvedic doctor said that swimming in the ocean, even for a little while, was the equivalent of three weeks of in-house daily Ayurvedic medical treatments.
The Air We Breathe
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Nothing will sustain us if we don’t have oxygen. That’s why two years of wearing masks have been rather unsettling. If you’ve been cooped up in the house or wearing multiple face masks it’s very important to also go outside and get some fresh air. We breathe more deeply when we breathe fresh air. It causes our lungs to expel more toxins and brings more oxygen into our cells. In fact, there’s hardly a system in the body that doesn’t benefit from breathing deeply. It improves our blood pressure and heart rate, strengthens our immune system, and has even been shown to help us digest food more effectively.
Breathing fresh air has also been shown to stimulate the production of serotonin, one of the “happy hormones” that reduce anxiety and improve overall mental and emotional health. (Stay tuned for the wonderful interview with Dr. John Douillard about breathing and immunity coming up Monday. It’s literally a life-saver)
Our Sun, the Great Illuminator
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Speaking of serotonin, getting enough sunlight is a way to tackle depression and low energy. How many times have you cheered up when the sun came out after a few weeks of gloomy skies? As for its other curative properties it strengthens and supports the immune system by helping the body synthesize vitamin D. Over the past couple of years we’ve all learned how important vitamin D is for immunity. Vitamin D is also crucial for bone health.
Higher levels of vitamin D have been linked with everything from reduced cases of multiple sclerosis to fewer cognitive illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease. Sunlight is also instrumental in healthy cardiovascular function. When sunlight hits the skin nitric oxide is released. Nitric oxide, along with serotonin, can bring down blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke. And, sunlight will also kill bacteria. If you’re down to your last face mask, place it outside in the sunshine for a few hours.
Partnering with Mother Nature for Emotional Healing
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But even without knowing these facts we all tend to employ nature to heal us. When we listen to the gentle rhythm of the waves at the shore it synchronizes our breathing to something greater, something that requires no effort from our side. Watching a gentle snowfall blanket and soften all the hard edges around us creates sense of serenity and peace. Sitting on a deck chair outside with our eyes closed, feeling the warmth of the sun on our skin removes us from the drama and intensity of the day. And of course, seeing the first delicate spring buds on an apple tree or the emerging bright green leaves on a maple tree remind us that life goes on, year after year.
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In the days and weeks following 9/11 I found myself visiting our local nursery multiple times. I bought flowers, vegetable starts, herbs, new pots, soil. It was my way of affirming life and reinforcing the idea that life would continue. It was my way of coping by creating something to look forward to. I saw a lot of people doing exactly the same thing, likely for the same reasons.
When things are shattered around us we do need to grieve, of course. But then we need to re-affirm life. Seeing nature, being in it, and letting it heal us is a powerful form self-care.
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