Nature as a Powerful Tool for Mental Health and HEARTWOOD by Amity Gaige

Three women. Three lives. One wilderness.

The first is a nurse who once walked hospital halls through the chaos of COVID—until the strain broke her. She fled to the Appalachian Trail, chasing 5 million steps of freedom through 14 states. It was hard, beautiful, life-affirming… until the day she stepped off the path and vanished into the endless green.

The second is a warden—a trailblazer in every sense. Raised in suburbia but never at home there, she forged her place in the wild as one of Maine’s highest-ranking wardens, living by the rhythms of the land she protects.

The third is an unlikely investigator: an amateur sleuth who lives in an assisted living facility. There, she found companionship in a fellow forager. 

They come from different generations, different pasts—one needing care, one offering it, one walking a razor’s edge between both. But they share a single bond: finding solace in nature.

And that bond isn’t just part of their survival—it’s a reminder for all of us. Nature is more than a backdrop; it’s a quiet, patient healer. Whether you’re navigating a personal crisis or simply seeking peace, the outdoors offers tools as vital as any in a rescue kit.

Here are tools for using the time outdoors in nature as a powerful tool for mental health:

Naturally Lift Your Mood: Sunlight boosts serotonin, improving mood and helping ward off depression. Hiking reduces cortisol, while the steady rhythm of walking soothes the mind like meditation.

Sharpen Your Focus: Unplugging in nature lets your brain reset, enhancing creativity and problem-solving by giving your mind the space it needs to recharge.

Foster Social Connections: Shared time outdoors strengthens relationships and eases isolation. Conversations flow more easily when paired with the rhythm of the trail.

This post was co-written by Lindsay Simons, of The Empowerment Spot Therapy, and Marisa Gelfand. Follow @TheEmpowermentSpot for more info on wellness hiking.

Heartwood by Amity Gaige