FIELD NOTES RESOURCES
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Elections bring challenges and also opportunities to connect with self and others in new ways. In fact, election season requires this level of awareness and calm presence. This time can be intense and triggering to our health, especially at this moment. Research reveals this election, in particular, is causing stress to many, impacting mental health. While we get closer to voting day, it is even more vital that we attend to well-being and hold skillfulness and intention when it comes to mental health.
July 29, 2024
Caregivers need care. Healers need healing. As we seek to reduce the stigma of being a healer who needs healing, we create greater opportunities to serve those who serve. There are many ways we can do this but we must start by acknowledging the state of affairs, articulating the need, and serving those who are on the frontlines every day. We salute you.
April 8, 2024
In recent years, there is growing recognition of peer-based activities and support to promote mental health and recovery. Experiential, peer-based adventures in nature can ignite individual and group awareness, reduce societal stigma, and foster sustainable outcomes and community. This dynamic offers a complementary approach to clinical therapeutic interventions as the results harmonize with traditional mental health care for many reasons.
Jan 4, 2024
The tangible results of spending consistent time in nature are evident and there are nuanced reasons why we typically feel better, physically, mentally, and spiritually. One of these is light. Daylight and sunshine directly impact mood, provide necessary nutrients, and tap into what it means at our core to be a healthy human. Different seasons encourage more time outside than others, which means at times one must get creative but there are immeasurable benefits to spending some time under the sky.
Dec. 12, 2023
The holiday season is a special time of year for many of us. It can also be challenging and triggering. While we manage our schedules and activities it is vital that we attend to our well-being and mental health. It can be easy to lose track of how we’re feeling, potentially dissociate at stimulating gatherings, or tune out to factors that can impacting our sense of calm.
Oct. 26, 2023
Consistent time outdoors can change our lives. Intentional time in nature allows us to tap into healing and well-being in a few different ways. We connect with ourselves and others, we unplug and re-set, and tune in to what’s happening on a profound level, internally and externally. The senses take over and the thinking mind quiets.
Aug. 29, 2023
Outdoor activities stimulate and inspire us and these positive results are increased when we share experiences with others. Many of us experience elevated feelings and emotions in nature and this elevated awareness can increase through interconnectedness. Furthermore, when we are striving for goals and sharing milestones with others, we may feel increased wonder and inspiration. Watching shooting stars with friends, noticing a whale breach, hearing the coyotes in the night. These experiences are powerful and transformative. This positive condition of mind and spirit can be initiated by adventure—a natural high.
Aug. 7, 2023
What do we mean when we say mental health, outside? Studies show that environment plays a significant part when it comes to our well-being and mental health. Traditional therapy conjures an image of sitting, indoors, but for some, traditional modes of talk therapy can be challenging. However, when we move our bodies outside, we can explore other ways of healing. This is profound, impactful work, especially at a time when screens tend to dominate the human experience.
Oct. 18, 2022
Many of us experience elevated feelings and emotions when we are struck with a sense of wonder or inspiration outside. This heightened condition of mind and spirit can be initiated by awe, can be defined as inspired, elevated positivity—a natural high, as opposed to destructive hedonism or fleeting pleasures.
May 11, 2022
Rock climbing positively impacts our mental health by training the mind and body to create this positive resilience loop. There are multiple techniques that can be utilized to help bring someone ground and land in their bodies in the present moment. When we attain this level of proficiency, we increase our capacity. But that’s not the only reason we climb.
March 29, 2022
When we learn new ways to care for ourselves, develop relationships with like-minded individuals, and feel motivated each day, it is far easier to create lasting change. This is how we find healing—in the ongoing community striving towards the same goal of adventure: wilderness outpatient. It’s the joy we experience outside, together, that keeps us coming back. Life is meant to be joyful. It is challenging, but also fun.
Feb. 8, 2022
Time in the field, one-on-one, for multiple days and nights, allows us to deeply connect with the client, their goals, their challenges, and their dreams. In addition, adventure immersions allow us to unplug, re-set, slow down, and adopt a natural pace in harmony with the environment. Immersive experiences help us to reflect on what is and what is not working in our lives and what shifts we may need to make. It also allows the crew of guides to hold space for themselves, along with the client, to demonstrate and model the ongoing need for deepening our connections to the skills we teach. Ultimately, when we are on expedition, the powerful lessons of the natural world create a perfect, backdrop for inspiration and transformation.
Nov. 1, 2022
The nature prescription changes lives. Now, more than ever, natural spaces are the place to be. Research is revealing that time immersed outside can boost our immune system, alter mental states, and increase our overall health. What’s more, outside we are able to find perspective and connect with a sense of awe, creating space for more experiential-based feelings, quieting the thinking mind.
Oct. 29, 2021
Happy hormones contribute to many different aspects of one’s health and wellness including decreasing stress levels and increasing feelings of belonging and purpose. The word hormone is a slight misnomer here in some instances but for the sake of discussion, these neurotransmitters can directly influence mood and mental health outcomes. Here’s a look at how we make the most of these natural mood-boosters.
June 1, 2021
The world is full of teachers, and many of them are not human. Rivers, forests, mountains, trees — they are the ancient teachers with keys to locked parts inside of us all. And when we allow a teacher to lead the way, we learn how to navigate the internal and external wilderness with skillfulness and ease. We need the guidance of someone who walks the path to help us find which specific key fits our specific lock. And I’m deeply grateful, every day, that I became willing to accept true connection.
