Healing Through Nature: Nourishing the Child Within

I remember those quiet summer weekend afternoons when I was young, with nothing to do.
After my chores were done, I was free until dinner, when I would head to the end of our backyard, climb over the chain-link fence, and make my solitary journey through the Australian bush to the little creek—my private sanctuary.

Slipping off my sandals and stepping into the cool water, I can still recall the feeling of the crystal clear water as it gently rippled and rolled across my feet and hands. I marveled at how pebbles of different colors tumbled gently along the current and settled on small clay ridges along the bank.

Dragonflies with iridescent wings darted from plant to plant. The air was still—even the birds seemed to be resting. I breathed in the calm.

Back then, I didn’t have an iPhone or a camera, and even if I had taken a photo, it would never have captured those precious moments— the little clay pillars, the colors of each lovely pebble, the balmy scent of the bush, the symphony of the breeze moving through the leaves of the tall eucalyptus trees, and the unforgettable feeling of the cool, fresh water.

They will always be imprinted in my memory.

The Strength It Gave Me

I believe my experiences in the bush, without parents hovering, were an important part of my ability to push through difficult and daunting events in my life. 

We climbed trees, rock outcrops
Explored rock fissures and small caves
Swam in water holes, fished for yabbies, 
and packed our own picnic lunch when we went on long treks.

It gave us confidence as we learned how to overcome obstacles by our own wits.

We learned by doing, navigating risks, problem-solving, and trusting our instincts.

That freedom built our confidence and strengthened our resilience.

Growing up in and around nature helped me survive parental abuse. When home was stressful, nature was a refuge. 

Research now confirms what many of us intuitively know.

Studies summarized by Roots of Action, a research-based source on positive youth development and developmental psychologist Dr. Marilyn Price-Mitchell  show that time in nature contributes to:

• Stress relief

• Improved concentration and memory

• Increased creativity

• Better emotional regulation

• Stronger mental health

Nature is not a luxury for children. It is nourishment.

The Child Within Still Needs This

As adults, we often forget this.

We move fast and stay connected to devices. We push through stress and override fatigue.

But the child within us still longs for stillness, calmness, and quiet space—

The child within us still needs wonder.
Restoration.
And connection to something larger and life-affirming.

Nature helps us return to ourselves.

It comforts our grief.
Calms our anger.
Eases our anxiety.
And clears mental fog.

When you experience the joy of nature — whether it’s a park, a beach, a garden, or a forest trail — your nervous system rests and renews. 

 

There was a child went forth every day;

And the first object he look'd upon, that object he became;

And that object became part of him for the day, or a certain part of the day, or for many years, or stretching cycles of years.

The early lilacs became part of this child,

And grass, and white and red morning-glories, and white and red clover, and the song of the phoebe-bird,

And the Third-month lambs, and the sow's pink-faint litter, and the mare's foal, and the cow's calf — Walt Whitman

If you feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or burdened by stress, grief, anger, or unresolved trauma, your system may be asking for restoration.

Sometimes that begins in nature.
Sometimes it needs guided support to go deeper.

If you would like help releasing what feels heavy and reclaiming inner calm and freedom, I offer a complimentary 20-minute consultation to explore whether my work of healing and letting go is right for you.

You don’t have to navigate it alone.

Related articles:

How to Let Go, Refresh & Renew by Spending Quality Time Alone

In peace and freedom,