Slowing Down in a Fast World: What Nature Taught Me About Healing and Connection
On March 23rd, I arrived at a campground, settled into a cabin, and intentionally stepped away from my normal routine.
From March 24–26, I immersed myself in a nature-informed therapy training with the Center for Nature Informed Therapy—and those three days shifted something in me.
I woke up at 6am.
I watched the sunrise.
I listened to birds before I checked my phone.
And honestly… it changed me.
We’re Not Meant to Live This Fast
Coming back home, I noticed how quickly everything speeds up again.
Notifications.
Schedules.
Responsibilities.
Like many people, I balance a full life and work more than one role. Slowing down isn’t always easy—or realistic in big ways.
But what I realized during those three days is this:
It’s not about escaping your life. It’s about creating small moments of connection within it.
The Moment That Changed Me
There was one exercise that stayed with me.
We were invited to simply play in nature—no instructions, no outcome, no “right way.”
At first, I didn’t know what to do.
My mind immediately went into:
“Am I doing this right?”
“What is this supposed to be?”
So I did something simple—I started building a small fort using branches, pinecones, and leaves.
It felt uncomfortable at first. Not logical. Not productive.
But then something shifted.
I stopped thinking so much.
I started noticing more.
I became present.
Sitting under a pine tree, my hands sticky with sap, I kept building. I created a small space—something that felt grounding and calm.
Then something unexpected happened.
Someone from my group came over and offered me a feather.
That small gesture turned what I was building into something more. A shared moment. A connection. What started as a fort became something symbolic—a space of creativity, presence, and even celebration.
And when I finally sat there quietly, something in my body softened.
Why Nature Feels So Good (There’s a Reason)
One of the biggest takeaways from this experience is that our connection to nature isn’t random—it’s biological.
We are wired for it.
For example:
Birdsong signals safety to our nervous system
Natural environments reduce overthinking and mental fatigue
The color green can help calm the body
Even something as simple as hearing birds outside your window can shift how you feel.
And when birds suddenly go quiet, it can signal that something may be off in the environment. Our bodies are constantly taking in cues around us.
The Power of Connection (Flow State)
I was part of a small group during this experience—our water element group, which we later renamed Flow State.
While the training itself was powerful, the connections were just as meaningful.
Through shared experiences, conversations, and simply being present together, we built something that felt rare:
Genuine connection
Support without pressure
A sense of belonging
It reminded me of something I see in my work all the time:
We are not meant to do life alone.
Just like trees in a forest rely on one another through their root systems, we also need connection to feel grounded and supported.
Group Photo: Flow State
You Don’t Need a Forest to Start
Here’s what I keep coming back to:
You don’t need a retreat, a trail, or hours of free time to reconnect.
You can start small.
Here’s what I’ve been practicing since coming home:
Pausing in the morning before getting into my car
Opening a window and noticing the air, the sounds, the light
Listening to nature sound recordings in my office
Taking a few minutes to simply be instead of constantly doing
These moments may seem small, but they matter.
They are ways of telling your body:
You’re safe. You can slow down. You can be here.
The Hard Truth (and the Honest One)
I’m not going to pretend this is easy.
Breaking habits in a fast-paced, modern world is challenging—especially when your life is full and your schedule is busy.
I feel that too.
But what I’m learning is this:
It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
It can be:
One mindful breath
One moment of stillness
One choice to step outside
Over time, those small moments create something bigger.
Bringing This Into My Work
This experience didn’t just impact me personally—it’s shaping how I show up in my work.
As I continue my journey toward becoming a Nature-Informed Therapist (Summer 2026), I’m integrating these practices into:
Walk & Talk sessions
Women’s groups
Community-based experiences
Because healing doesn’t only happen in a chair.
Sometimes, it happens:
Sitting under a tree
Walking on a trail
Listening to birds
Or simply slowing down enough to notice what’s already around you
Final Reflection
What those three days gave me wasn’t just knowledge.
It gave me a reminder.
That we are allowed to slow down.
That connection matters. That nature is always available to us—even in small ways .
And most importantly:
We are not separate from nature—we are part of it.
Want to Learn More or Work Together?
If you’re curious about integrating nature into your healing or want to experience this for yourself, I’d love to connect.
Email: diana.lapplcsw@innerstrengthcounselingservicesllc.com
Phone: 929-445-8532