Have you ever felt a wave of calm hit you as you go outside and feel the fresh air on your face or the sun hit your skin? There are so many ways to enjoy being outside, from exploring local parks to adventuring out onto some nearby trails, or laying on your back patio or even adventuring a little further and visiting some of our incredible state or national parks.
For many people, whether they live with chronic illnesses, physical disabilities, or maybe no health issues at all, it can be beneficial to both our mental and physical health to get outside and breathe in fresh air and maybe meditate. If you want to be more physically active, then what better place to do it than in the beautiful outdoors with great views? Regular time outside, breathing in the fresh air, and absorbing vitamin D is proven to lower stress hormones and improve mood.
Our brains and bodies aren't built for the daily stressors we constantly experience, from alarms and phone alerts to the fluorescent or blue lights we constantly have in front of our faces. I personally feel like my body is always in a state of alarm and I'm in danger. I struggle with daily anxiety, and it overtakes my body in a physical way, especially with the number of appointments I attend on a weekly basis. Being outside and giving ourselves the chance to breathe without the distractions of our phones, laptops, or TVs can be a daily if not weekly reset for our minds and honestly, it is something we all need. No matter what your situation may look like, we are all in need of self-care and nature is a beautiful way to participate in that.
If traveling to a National Park isn't an option for you, step outside and try to notice your surroundings. Do you hear birds chirping? Do you see the clouds moving? Do you feel the wind blowing on your skin? Do you smell any flowers nearby? Nature can truly be therapeutic, and taking the time to recognize your senses can really help you self-regulate.
When it comes to being a wheelchair user or living with other mobility challenges, getting outside and exploring a park or a pond nearby can improve our independence. It doesn't take a five-mile hike up a mountain to be confident or independent. Sometimes confidence can be found in a place near you that you haven't explored before or even a place that is familiar to you. You can go see how accessible the paths around that outdoor area are and even take note of the spot with the best view.
If you can explore a state or national park, there are so many opportunities for people with disabilities. There is an access pass called the "America the Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Access Pass" that is completely free and available to U.S. citizens or residents with permanent disabilities. This access pass gives you free entry to national parks as well as discounted expanded amenities like camping, boat launching, swimming, and guided tours. Once you are visiting a national park, there are so many opportunities to take in the beauty of your surrounding nature. National parks have the most incredible scenery and many of their parks also have accessible trails and accessible visitor centers. Many parks also provide accessible shuttles, accessible campgrounds, and even sensory-friendly materials for those who may need them.
Personally, travel has always been therapeutic for me. But traveling to beautiful outdoor destinations has been the highlight and has brought so much peace back to my world. As someone with both chronic and mental illnesses, I have really tried to learn to appreciate the tall trees, bright flowers, cool breeze, and immaculate sunsets. It truly is something so special to just sit with yourself, or even a friend or family member and just take in your surroundings and be grateful for the opportunity to do so.
It's important to pace yourself and to never force yourself to go to a place that might be bad for your health. It's also important to step out of your comfort zone, even if that means visiting a new local park because there is so much beauty on this Earth that we are gifted to live on and we should really take this opportunity to find peace within ourselves while using nature as self-care and therapy. Always remember to prioritize your health and take time to appreciate the little things in life.
About the author
Aspen Baxter is passionate about promoting accessibility, inclusivity, and mental health awareness. Living as a paraplegic with Autism, Aspen has firsthand experience navigating the challenges of multiple disabilities. Following a medication injury in 2021 that resulted in her paralysis, Aspen has become an advocate for accessibility and inclusivity in all aspects of life.
Aspen's ride is a Quickie Nitrum with an Empulse R90.
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