Nature in the Everyday

Nature is crucial for my mental health.

Studies show that time in nature is associated with stress reduction, increased physical activity, improved mood, better sleep, and so many other benefits. My brain and body knew it when I was younger but I started to lean into it more and more throughout my medical training as a medical student and in residency.

Becoming a mother and practicing on my own made me realize even more just how much I need nature. As a physician and mom, I recognized just how important nature time was for my brain and soul. It helped me find myself again amidst all the mom and doctor responsibilities. And it continues to help me recharge, clear my mind, and combat burnout.

I am a full time primary care pediatrician at a community clinic.

What that looks like day to day is around 25 patient visit slots per day, but the number of charts that I touch throughout the day for things like following up on labs, signing forms, reviewing specialty notes, or placing orders for patients on the nursing schedule can be upwards of ~40. Let’s face it, our healthcare system is not a health promoting one even if there are good people in it fighting the good fight. I saw a post once that felt like the most accurate description of what working in clinic was like.

Then after that, it’s being a mom to two littles, 3 and 1 including daycare pick up, play, bedtime routines and all the things that go into running a functional home and caring for the next generation.

So with all the busyness, how do I manage to find time to get outside?

One thing that I started doing this year was actually tracking my hours outside. It was inspired by a well known outdoor community, focusing on hours outside instead of screens indoors, which while important I will not name because I do not agree with many of the founder’s other beliefs. The idea of nature time for me has shifted from a nice-to-have to a need-to-do.

Pic of one of my garden beds with a year 3 strawberry patch and this season’s garlic

During the work week, as best as I can, I focus on intentional lunch breaks for myself outside. Not finishing notes. Not calling patients. Really trying not to let work bleed into that time. Maybe I don’t get that whole hour, but if I can at least get 20 minutes, I call that a win. If I really planned it well, I get some added steps walking around the clinic building and parking lot.

In the morning, it’ll be a quick peek at my front and backyard garden with some intentional deep breaths to start the day. At the end of the day, once the kids are home, it’s more relaxing garden or backyard activities, and if I’m feeling especially ambitious, a walk around the block. Sometimes 20 minutes. Sometimes less.

Weekend time is important family time for us together.

My husband, who also is in healthcare, works half the weekends of the month. When he is at work, it’s trips to various local playgrounds and parks for me and the littles. During the weekends that we are both not working, we prioritize nature time together as a family. A trip somewhere overnight. A new hiking trail. A family bike ride. Finding a beachy spot along the river. Fruit picking or picnics with friends.

Not all nature time is grand. The other days, nature time consists of trips to new playgrounds in our city. Garden tasks in our backyard. Meals outside. Simple walks in our neighborhood. I like to watch the front yards change from season to season.

These simple activities are what have allowed me to prioritize outdoor time for myself and my family. Nothing fancy, most of the time, it’s just what is within reach. As of this writing, I have logged 163 hours outside on the 159th day of the year. Could be better. Could be worse. But I’m proud that I’m doing it. I don’t think of it as one other thing on my to do list. Instead it is something that my mind and soul needs.

For finding calm amidst the chaos.

For combating my own burnout while working in a broken health system.

For my own emotional regulation.

For my own mental health.

How about yourself? How do you find nature in the everyday?

Need guidance connecting to nature as a family? Join my FREE 5-Day Nature Reset for Busy Families.