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The Nature Nurse™, PLLC is honored and grateful to share nurse Megan Culbertson's brave story about how she shifted her life to help serve during the early part of the Pandemic in order to help others, and how nature helped her.  Covid halted life for all of us as we knew it. With the Pandemic surging in various areas around the United States, I opted to quit my steady hospital job and dive into traveling nursing. My husband, who could work remotely, agreed. In four short weeks, we downsized from an 800-square-foot apartment to a 35-foot Recreation Vehicle (RV), which would now be our new home on wheels. I took my first travel nurse contract in Washington, D.C. We fell in love with the RV life during our six months there. We were spending more time outside- exploring new parks and hiking trails, camping, and sitting by the campfire every night. For two people who love nature, this was our dream! Nature-based self-care has been associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Working in Covid Units, I was experiencing high levels of stress and trauma every shift. Living in the RV, with nature right out the front door, became the antidote for my work life. Living in an RV naturally lent itself to spending more time outside, allowing nature to ease the stress, and heal my mind, body, and soul. More Time Outdoors When you are living in a tiny space- around 200 square feet to be exact, your outside area becomes an extension of your home. Once we started living tiny, I found myself outside even more. Coffee on the porch in the morning, time around the fire every night, cooking out regularly. Our outdoor space is an extension of our home, and we love it. Camping & Hiking One of the great things about living in an RV is the ability to take you home wherever you want to visit. We have been able to visit many national parks, state parks, and campgrounds. If you feel you need to be even closer to nature, it’s easy to lock up the camper and take your tent out for a few days. Research has shown connecting with nature by camping, has even greater healing benefits, including helping us sleep better.  Time Near the Water Personally, being near water is one of my favorite forms of self-care. No matter what type of water- I find instant serenity. The RV life has allowed us to park near various rivers, creeks, and even the ocean. Kayaking has become a regular form of exercise and stress relief for my husband and me. We learned our dog, Declan also loves the beach. Our little family enjoys regular evening walks on the beach at sunset. Exercise, nature, and the sound of the ocean- a trifecta to reduce the stress of even the worst days.  Easier Traveling with Pets While owning pets can be one of the best parts of life, it can create a barrier to travel. Travel nursing requires staying in a place for 8 weeks-3 months, longer if you extend your contract. Short-term housing is limited and expensive- adding in finding housing for pets and it becomes even more difficult. The RV allows us to easily travel with our pets, allowing us to travel and get outside more. Even if you are just looking for weekends away, an RV allows you to take a pet-friendly place to stay with you. This can enable you to visit family, parks, and new places easier (and many times for less money!)  While living in an RV is not for everyone, I think so many people could benefit from owning, or renting, a small RV to travel in on weekends and time off. The benefits you receive from more time closer to nature are endless! Megan Culbertson, BSN, RN is the author of the Peace Love Nursing blog. Visit her blog to learn more about RV living, self-care, nursing, travel nursing, and mental health.
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Are you looking for a way to get your weekly exercise requirement in, sleep better, maybe lose a few pounds, and reconnect to yourself or friends? Why not join millions of people around the world on April 6 by going outside for a walk. Even better, why not begin a routine Morning Nature Walk Practice?
The simple act of walking has immense benefits. Walking can help prevent diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and cancer. It helps strengthen our bones, muscles, and our immune system. Low on energy, feeling down, struggling to sleep? Walking can help improve all those conditions as well. Struggling to solve a problem, or looking for a creative spark? Yup, walking can solve those issues as well. So, what do you need to get started? A pair of comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes is all you need to get started. If you are looking to make an investment in this new healthy lifestyle practice, that you deserve, here are a few suggestions to make your walk more pleasurable. Merrell Shoes: I am a big fan of Merrell footwear. Not only are they comfortable, but they also last, and are waterproof. So, if you are walking on pavement or on a trail, they will serve your feet well. They are available in women’s and men’s and come in a variety of colors and styles.
Fanny pack:
Investing in a good fanny pack is a purchase that goes a long way. Put your phone, keys, tissues, some cash, or a credit card in your fanny pack and you are ready to go not just on a walk, but anywhere that you don’t want to have to carry a purse or have your pockets weighing you down.
Earbuds:
Unlike walking on a treadmill in a gym, a morning nature walk exposes us to the many pleasant sounds nature offers. Listening to birdsong has been shown to significantly reduce stress. Allowing the serenade of waves gently crashing on the shore or wind whispering through leaves can also ease our weary minds and souls. Sometimes, however, it’s nice to listen to a podcast, an audiobook, or have a chat with a friend while we walk. Having a pair of earbuds on hand can add more variety to our Morning Nature Walk practice to keep us motivated. There are so many more benefits and enticing ways to make your Morning Nature Walk Practice engaging and a success! We invite you to purchase our Morning Nature Walk Program. Learn more about the science supporting this routine, tips, and resources to empower you or your team to successfully integrate this into your healthy lifestyle, and numerous ways to better connect with nature as you wander. See you outside!  It’s a New Year and according to statista, the number one New Year’s resolution Americans will make is to “do more exercise or improve my fitness”. Fifty percent of those who participated in the poll mentioned exercise as their main goal. Losing weight was a close second, at 48%. With over 74% of us , age twenty or older, being overweight, or obese, that is not a bad idea. The truth is, however, there are said to be four pillars of health; nutrition, exercise, relaxation, and sleep. These four elements work together to keep our minds and bodies healthy. Focusing on just one pillar will not lead us to the overall wellness goals we are really trying to achieve. There is one element that is central to achieving success in each of these four pillars. That key element is nature. Connecting with nature can help us successfully enhance and integrate each of these pillars so we can lead a healthy lifestyle.  So why not set the intention of increasing our connection with nature this new year? Start the new year off by experiencing the many holistic benefits that Mother Nature is willing to share with us so that we can lead a healthier, more joy-filled life? We invite you to sign-up now for our free, e-newsletter at www.TheNatureNurse.com. Scroll down to the bottom of the homepage and enter your email address. You will receive occasional emails with information, research, resources, tips, and much more on how you can deepen your relationship with nature, and by extension enhance your health and well-being. Looking for information right now, so you can get started right away while your motivation is hot? Visit The Nature Nurse™, PLLC website and perhaps one of these options will be just what you are looking for:
We love nature and have experienced the many holistic benefits she offers. With over 1000 studies showing that connecting with nature is an essential part of living a healthy lifestyle, we are committed to sharing this joyful way to practice self-health. This year we will be launching new programs and opportunities so be sure to stay in touch! Let’s start the New Year off in a healthy direction. By setting the intention to deepen our relationship with nature we are sure to invite amazing new experiences into our lives which will enrich our health and well-being. Author: Susan Allison-Dean, MS, RN, AHN-BC, CCAP. Susan is a Board Certified Advanced Holistic Nurse with over thirty years of nursing experience. She is also a Certified Clinical Aromatherapy Professional.
 For many of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, the world outside our doors is going through its annual Autumn rituals. The full Hunter’s Moon just beamed in the dark cool sky, then lingered long into the morning before setting. Pumpkins, gourds and other fall vegetables are bountiful. The magnificent foliage show is performing right before our eyes. Following the lead of the trees, we too can shed what no longer serves us in order to store up energy to grow stronger. Deciduous trees of all types are cutting of their connection with the leaves that grew on their fingertips, once lush and green; allowing them to metamorphosize into blazing shades of reds gold, orange, eventually into brown. We can lighten our load, too, so we can retain our positive energy for the darker months ahead. Let’s take a look at how each of us can do this, letting go of one leaf at a time. First, we need to identify what no longer serves us. Maybe we aren’t eating the food that best nourishes our bodies and we need to let go of unhealthy choices. Who are the people in our life that we may love, but they are constantly dragging us down with their drama? What limiting beliefs are we allowing to invade our minds, filling us with doubt or fear? As you identify your dying leaves, write them down if you need to. There’s no rush. Notice how all the leaves don’t fall off a tree in one moment. It’s a slow process. We can shed our leaves slowly too. Next, go outside and pick up some leaves, then stand next to a pond or river. Pick one of the items on your list, let’s say, for example, “I am letting go of doing for others what they can do for themselves.” Toss the leave into the water, mentally releasing this burden, and watch as the leaf floats away. Repeat, release, as often as you desire over this Autumn season. Notice the relief you may feel, a sense of newfound inner strength, perhaps space to fill with new, more positive thoughts, relationships, or behaviors.  As the days ahead continue to darken, we may want to use this time to go deeper inside ourselves. Reflect on the year that has passed, write down what we are grateful for, and explore what exciting ideas and desires are starting to stir inside our newly cleared space. Learn more holistic ways to experience joy, enhance your health and well-being by subscribing to our free newsletter! Visit our home page for the link.
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Author:Susan has published a two-novel series in which she includes her love of nature. I Know You're There & By The Sound Of The Crow Are Available on Amazon , Barnes & Noble and Most E-Reader Stores. Archives
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