Nature, Stillness, and the Journey Toward an Eco-Home
We’ve completed on our house, though we’re not moving in just yet. A few improvements are underway, and our long-term vision is to transform it into an eco-home—a space that reflects a more conscious, sustainable way of living. In today’s world, it feels essential to consider what we can do—however small—to tread more lightly on the Earth.
For now, we’re living in our campervan, and it’s reconnected me to the natural world in a way I hadn’t anticipated.
Waking with the Sun
Living so closely with nature has made me realise I’m definitely a morning person—a lark. Most mornings, I rise early to practice yoga outside. Sometimes it's chilly, but those quiet moments at dawn, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature, have become a daily refuge.
There’s something deeply grounding about starting the day like this: breathing deeply, moving mindfully, and simply watching the sky shift from darkness to light. It’s a practice that allows me to step into the day with intention.
Why Is Nature So Healing?
Spending more time outdoors has led me to wonder—what is it about nature that feels so restorative? Throughout history, poets, artists, philosophers, and physicians have written about nature’s healing power. But it’s only in recent decades that science has begun to confirm these ancient insights.
With the help of advanced tools like MRI and EEG, researchers have begun to map how spending time in nature affects our brains and bodies. One study that stood out to me was by Kardan et al. (2015), which found that the more trees there are in a neighbourhood, the lower the rates of heart disease and metabolic conditions. Even more astonishing, adding just ten more trees to an urban landscape can improve people’s health perception in a way comparable to making them feel seven years younger.
It’s a powerful reminder that nature isn’t just beautiful—it’s essential to our well-being.
The Practice of Walking Meditation
As I navigate this transition into a new home, nature has been a steady companion. One practice that has helped me stay grounded is walking meditation—a practice of being fully present with each step.
Wherever we are, we can slow down and walk with awareness. Look around: the vast sky, the trees, the sound of birdsong. Feel the breeze. Notice the rhythm of your breath. Let your steps match that rhythm—two or three steps on the inhale, two to five steps on the exhale. Relax your shoulders, let your arms hang naturally, and simply walk.
Walking meditation reminds me that we are always arriving—step by step—into the present moment.
A Different Kind of Homecoming
This period of living in tune with the natural world has offered more than just a pause before settling into our new home. It’s prompted me to reflect on what it truly means to feel at home—not just in a building, but in a way of life that aligns with my values and with the Earth.
As we move forward with creating our eco-home, I hope to carry these lessons with me: to stay rooted in nature, to live more slowly and mindfully, and to remember that healing—personal, planetary, and collective—often begins with something as simple as stepping outside.
Next time you step outside, why not try a walking meditation? I’d love to hear how it affects both your body and mind.
Reference
Kardan, O., et al. (2015). Neighborhood greenspace and health in a large urban center. Scientific Reports, 5, 11610.