Reconnecting to the self, to community, to land.

When I talk about cultivating good mental health and what it means to be living well, or with vitality, the language I have used over the years has evolved substantially. My schools of thought continue to be challenged, questioned and re-arranged. I keep learning, re-learning and practicing. Key themes emerge in my research into different fields of theory and practices about mental health, environmental health, and modern ways of living. Each time, it brings me back to iterations centred on the importance of restoring balance in day-to-day life; and the power of re-connecting with ourselves and the world around us. 

Four key sources of "data" are changing my language right now; and ultimately helping me in my own awareness of living with purpose and meaning (a classic 'practice what you preach' kind of moment!). The bigger picture that motivates me are the opportunities in how taking care of our own physical and mental health, can be beneficial to the health of our communities, and to the health of our planet. May you find curiosity with these insights, as much as I am. 

A timely conversation with Echo Creative...
The re-emerging idea about re-connection has fascinated me for some time, more so following an in-depth conversation with the great minds at Echo Creative. Their philosophy is underpinned by the cultivation of 'conscious living' and the holistic practices towards health and wellness. Their views are informed by different cultural and historic philosophies whereby our state of health extends beyond the modern framework of mind-body-spirit, to the mind-body-spirit-land-tribe-ancestry (Echo Creative, 2019). This concept is derived from many indigenous peoples around the world, and more commonly coined as 'the long body'. From this perspective, personal health and well being transforms into a matter of  environmental and social care. 

"If we consider this to be deeper than a simple metaphor, then a true holistic approach towards health involves more than just caring for your “Self”. Environmental care becomes synonymous with health care, and positively contributing to our social context can create a state of wholeness. The long body perspective opens many opportunities to be explored within the field of health."

On Lost Connections...
From a completely different perspective and source,  Johann Hari (2018) posited that the causes of depression in current society are deeply rooted in people's disconnection to other people; in meaningful work; values; the natural world; a secure future; and the health of our own bodies due to the over-reliance of modern medicines. The antidotes are simple (yet can be complex in practice): to reconnect with each of these arenas. When we restore balance in these areas, we find grander meaning and purpose, we find meaning in the moments, and we can recover and heal.

The last child in the woods...
I have referenced this book time and time again across this blog. Richard Louv takes a deep dive in what is coined "the Nature Deficit Disorder" in modern day childhood experiences. It explores the increasing divide between the young and the natural world, and its psychological, social and environmental impacts. 

"Reducing that deficit-healing the broken bond between our young and nature- is in our self-interest, not only because aesthetics and justice demands it, but also because our mental, physical and spiritual health depends on it" (Louv, 2008, p.3).  

Louv takes on the position that when children disconnect from nature, there are effects on early development. He goes on to argue that this lack of outdoor play and nature connection results from the lack of education about the natural world. When communities and schools disassociate from the outdoors, future generations no longer foster a relationship with local ecosystems. Children no longer understand the cycles of food sources and thereby perpetuate fast-consumption mechanisms in society. With that disconnection comes one core belief: we cannot save what we cannot love or understand.

Let my people go surfing...
Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, is fast becoming my guru on living with purpose and meaning, all the while kicking the culture of consumption, the heart of the global ecological crisis. I've been introduced to his work late, but his ideas and philosophy resonate powerfully. It is changing the way I frame my understanding  and writing about mental health and wellness.

“A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both.”

So, then what does it all mean now? 

The exciting thing is that I'm not entirely sure, and that's okay. This learning is influencing my own therapeutic work and life philosophy. The disconnections we need to repair are all interrelated in some way. We have the capacity to rebuild ourselves, family systems, communities and the world around us.  When we experience the natural world, we can reconnect with ourselves, each other and the environment. We can learn ways to restore and harmonise. This sense of alignment is vital, not just to the health of ourselves but the health of the planet. ​​