Nature’s cycles have a way of helping us mark our own human seasons of life. One such natural marker is the autumnal equinox, the beginning of fall in the Northern Hemisphere (or spring in the Southern Hemisphere). It happens when the sun appears directly above the equator, and night and day are of equal length.
The term equinox comes from Latin “aequus” (equal) and “nox” (night). Aequus is also the root of the word "equanimity," which, according to Merriam-Webster, means “evenness of mind especially under stress.”
Similarly, the Welsh have a phrase, "dod yn ol at fy nghoed," which translates to: "to return to my trees." Its deeper meaning is "to return to a balanced state of mind," signifying the idea of finding peace and centering through the season through a connection with nature.
We know from the research that we can balance our minds by spending more time connecting with nature. The latest research suggests that our human connection to nature benefits more than just our individual wellbeing; it’s an essential part of building global sustainability. That is, human-nature connectedness can support the wellbeing of both humans and of nature.
The research shows that a deeper human-nature connection acts as a catalyst for change that leads to engagement in pro-environmental behaviors. In other words, by shifting our focus towards fostering nature connectedness, we can create a future where human and environmental wellbeing are intertwined.
This new connection moves beyond utility and control and into a closer, more sustainable relationship with nature through five pathways:
- Senses: Tuning in to nature through the senses
- Emotion: Feeling alive through the emotions and feelings nature brings
- Beauty: Noticing nature’s beauty
- Meaning: Allowing nature to bring meaning to our lives
- Compassion: Caring and taking action for nature
So, what are some things you can do to connect with nature on a deeper level? Research tells us it can be as simple as reflecting on three positive things you see in nature each day for a week — one easy path to long-term nature connection. Or, it might be practicing a connection to nature for 30 minutes each day over 30 days (see the One Nature Challenge). Regardless of the method, simple acts of (re)connecting with nature daily result in long-term connections to nature, and hope to bring humans and nature into balance.
Dr. Jean Larson is the manager of Nature-Based Therapeutic Services at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and is faculty lead of the Nature-Based Therapeutic Studies at the Earl Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing of the University of Minnesota.