Each week, I will share three things on how to heal holistically. Drawing from my 28 years of experience as a practicing Naturopath, as well as what I am currently working on, exploring, and curious about. Make a pot of tea and give yourself the time and care you deserve.
HEALING: Considerations for when you are experiencing XYZ.
REVERENCE: A deep respect & attention to the things that truly impact healing.
EXPLORING: A journey into the deeper work, meeting the parts, wounds, and survival strategies that keep us small, stuck, and suffering with persistent symptoms & feelings.
1. HEALING: Nature heals
Is disease or persistent symptoms and feelings simply a disconnect from nature? Consider this...
Nature refers to the natural world and its physical features, such as landforms, flora, and fauna. It also encompasses natural processes and phenomena, such as weather patterns, water cycles, day/night cycles, and seasons. Humans need nature for survival for several reasons.
First, air quality is vital for human survival, and plants play a critical role in absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. This natural process ensures that humans have the oxygen they need to breathe and maintain healthy respiratory systems.
Second, nature helps regulate the Earth's climate, with trees and vegetation helping to cool the environment, and oceans acting as a heat sink. This regulation ensures that temperatures do not rise too high or drop too low, which can cause negative health effects for humans and other species.
Third, the water cycle is crucial for providing sources of clean drinking water and preventing flooding. The natural process of evaporation, precipitation, and runoff ensures that water is available for human consumption and agriculture, while also protecting communities from devastating floods.
Fourth, soil fertility is essential for growing food crops, and nature provides fertile soil that contains the nutrients and minerals necessary for healthy plant growth. Without fertile soil, crops would not grow, and humans would not have access to the food they need for survival.
Fifth, biodiversity is critical for maintaining the balance of ecosystems and preserving the natural world's beauty. Nature provides habitat and resources for a wide variety of plant and animal species, including humans. When ecosystems are disrupted, species can become endangered or extinct, leading to long-term negative effects on the environment and human health.
Sixth, as humans, we have an inherent seasonal connection with nature that is often overlooked in our modern, fast-paced lives. Our ancestors were deeply connected to the cycles of the seasons, and their survival depended on understanding and adapting to the changes in the natural world around them. In spring and summer, we experience a sense of outward expansion and growth, much like the plants and animals around us. As the days get longer and the weather warms up, we naturally feel more energised and motivated to engage with the world. This is a time of new beginnings, of planting seeds both literally and metaphorically, and of embracing opportunities for growth and renewal. In contrast, autumn and winter bring a sense of contraction and turning inward. As the days get shorter and the weather cools down, we naturally feel a pull towards introspection and reflection. This is a time of harvest and gratitude for what has been accomplished during the warmer months, as well as a time to rest and restore our energy for the coming year. These seasonal rhythms are not just a matter of preference or personal preference; they are deeply ingrained in our biology and psychology.
Finally, the day and night cycle is essential for human health, with night providing rest and restoration and the day providing opportunities for activity and productivity. Our bodies have an internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm, that regulates various bodily functions, such as sleep-wake cycles, hormone production, and metabolism. This internal clock is synchronised with the external environment through exposure to natural light and darkness. During the day, exposure to natural light helps to regulate our internal clock, keeping us alert, active, and productive. Sunlight also plays a crucial role in the production of vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones and immune function. At night, the absence of light triggers the release of the hormone melatonin, which helps us fall asleep and promotes restorative sleep. Sleep is essential for many bodily functions, including memory consolidation, hormone regulation, and immune function. Adequate rest and restoration during the night help us to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day ahead.
When humans work against nature instead of in sync with it, it can lead to dis-ease and persistent symptoms and feelings. Many people live homogenised, monotonous lives that are disconnected from the natural world, pushing against the bounds of nature and not realising the answers that can be found within it.
For example, our modern lifestyle often involves spending much of our time indoors, surrounded by artificial lighting and temperature-controlled environments, which can disrupt our natural circadian rhythm and sleep patterns. We also tend to rely heavily on processed and packaged foods that are often devoid of the essential nutrients and beneficial compounds found in whole, natural foods.
Additionally, our reliance on fossil fuels and other unsustainable practices has led to environmental degradation and the loss of biodiversity, which can have negative impacts on human health. For instance, air and water pollution can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular problems, while exposure to toxic chemicals can increase the risk of cancer and other diseases.
By reconnecting with nature and working in harmony with it, we can create a more sustainable and healthy way of living. This may involve spending more time outdoors, eating a whole food, natural diet, and utilising natural remedies and therapies, among other things. Ultimately, recognising our interconnectedness with the natural world and living in harmony with it is essential for promoting optimal health and well-being.
2. REVERENCE: Nature calling
The phrase "nature calling" is often used colloquially to refer to the need to use the restroom, but it can also serve as a reminder of our connection to the natural world. Humans evolved within the natural world and are dependent on it for survival, yet the idea that humans are separate from nature has contributed to environmental degradation & human dis-ease. Acknowledging that humans are part of nature can help us develop more sustainable and harmonious relationships with the environment.
Neglecting our physical and mental health or failing to prioritise our relationship with nature can result in a sense of disconnection and imbalance. "Nature calling" can thus be seen as a metaphor for the need to return to a state of harmony and balance with ourselves and the environment.
3. EXPLORING: Biomimicry - an Operating Manual for Earthlings
I first heard of the word biomimicry through the work of Janine Benyus, a biologist, innovation consultant, and author who coined the term biomimicry. Biomimicry is the practice of looking to nature for inspiration and guidance in solving human problems. Benyus sees nature as a vast library of designs, processes, and systems that have been refined over 3.8 billion years of evolution. By observing and studying how nature has solved similar challenges, humans can learn and apply those solutions to their own challenges.
In her book, "Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature," Benyus argues that nature has already found solutions to many of the problems that humans face, from generating clean energy to designing sustainable products and systems. Biomimicry offers a way to tap into that wisdom and develop technologies and systems that are not only more sustainable but also more efficient and effective.
For example, scientists have looked to the lotus leaf to develop self-cleaning surfaces. The lotus plant has leaves that are highly water-repellent, which allows them to stay clean even in muddy water. Scientists have studied the structure of the lotus leaf and used that knowledge to create self-cleaning surfaces that can repel water and other liquids, making them ideal for use in a variety of applications.
Biomimicry has the potential to revolutionise the way humans live and work, offering a more sustainable and regenerative approach to technology and design.