I spent 5 blissful days deep in the woods and lakes of Algonquin Park, and here’s 5 lessons I learned about anxiety.
1) Anxiety is fuelled by overstimulation
Our world is filled to the brim with noise, information, demands for our attention, contact, technology, and the relentless pull of productivity. We walk around busy city streets with loud horns and chaos. We are constantly pulled into the addictive grasp of technology.
Why is this a problem?
Well, our body is constantly in a state of vigilance and awareness, scanning for potential threats. There is no real rest, and our nervous system can become overwhelmed. In contrast, the quiet, the simple sounds of nature (rather than noise of man-made things), the trees, the water – all of this allows our nervous system to find a resting state.
I experienced a true break from our normal sensory overload while in nature and out of cell reception. There was no phone to pick up absent-mindedly, no text to respond to, no honking or yelling found in the streets. There was just me, some friends, and the company of humanity’s first home.
2) The state of our nervous system creates the stories in our minds
I’ve talked about this a lot before, but I was able to vividly experience it once again while in the woods. Our nervous system is the foundation of how we perceive and interpret the world around us.
When we’re in a state of fight-or-flight, our brain is more likely to generate thoughts that reflect fear, worry, and negativity. This is because a dysregulated nervous system primes us to focus on potential threats. On the other hand, when our nervous system is calm and regulated, our thoughts tend to be more balanced and reflective of reality.
When we’re anxious, our bodies likes to scan for what could go wrong or what’s missing. Our bodies are tense, our stress hormones are flowin’, and our breathing is more shallow. And what happened in the woods was in such sharp contrast. It illuminated how our bodies should be the first point of contact when working with anxiety. Issues and thoughts that would normally be hard for me to let go of while in the city were so much easier to set free.
3) Over-controlling leads us to feel more out of control than ever
When we’re anxious, our default is often to try to over-control every aspect of our experience to try to protect ourselves from something going wrong. But this leaves us struggling against reality and feeling more out of control than ever when things don’t go as planned.
In nature, we’re reminded that so much is outside of our control (and this has the potential to be freeing!).
Nature provided me with a regulated nervous system, thereby guiding me to let go and surrender. That way, I didn’t suffer twice (first = anxiety/hypervigilance/over-controlling, second = a hard thing).
- Instead of trying to have every little thing in order, I was more open to the mess.
- Instead of worrying how my injured back would do, I assessed how it was as we went.
- Instead of analyzing each rain cloud to try to ward off rain with sheer will, I let nature do its thing and I responded as necessary.
4) We are more resilient and capable than anxiety leads us to believe
Anxiety often convinces us that we’re fragile and that we can’t handle challenges. However, when we step outside of our comfort zones – whether on a backcountry trip or in daily life – we often surprise ourselves with how resourceful and strong we are. Even if it’s messy and imperfect.
This goes for you too. I know that you’re a lot more resilient and capable than you feel when you’re in some deep, dark moments. Think of how much you’ve overcome already. Don’t let anxiety trick you into thinking you can’t handle life, because you friggin can!
5) Nature allows us to lean into the opposite of anxiety (AKA self-trust)
One of the most powerful antidotes to anxiety is self-trust – the belief that we can navigate life’s uncertainties with competence and calm. Nature offers a unique environment where we can practice and deepen this trust.
Away from the distractions and pressures of daily life, nature encourages us to slow down, listen to our instincts, and reconnect with our inner wisdom. When we’re less anxious, our nervous systems are regulated, and we’re submerged in the beauty of the earth… then we inherently trust ourselves more.
The greatest teachers are our own experiences. Noting and fully experiencing moments where we feel balanced and regulated help us lean into that more often.
Clare Karasik, MSW, RSW 