Finding Calm Outside the Therapy Room
Let’s be honest—life gets loud. And sometimes the noise is so constant, you forget what silence even sounds like. Not the awkward kind, but the kind that gently wraps around your nervous system and says, “You can rest now.”
You know where I hear that silence the most?
Outside.
Whether I’m hiking a trail in West Michigan with my dog, standing still while a breeze moves through tall grass, or sitting by Lake Michigan watching the waves come and go—nature has a way of grounding me in a way nothing else can. And over the years, both personally and professionally, I’ve come to realize something simple but powerful:
Nature is a therapist too.
Grab a cozy drink and let me show you what I mean.
You Don’t Have to Explain Yourself to the Trees
One of the best things about nature? You don’t have to perform. You don’t have to over-explain, be productive, or even “feel better” right away. Nature doesn’t ask anything of you—other than to show up as you are.
That’s powerful, especially if you grew up in a home where your feelings weren’t welcome, or if you’re constantly managing everyone else’s emotions before your own.
Out there, under an open sky or tucked in the woods, you get to just be.
Your Nervous System Loves Nature
From a clinical lens, nature isn’t just calming—it’s regulating. Studies show time and time again that being outside lowers cortisol (your stress hormone), reduces blood pressure, and helps the brain shift out of that anxious, “what’s next?” mode.
I see it all the time with clients who are constantly overstimulated or overwhelmed. Something as simple as walking through a quiet park, touching the bark of a tree, or noticing the way the light filters through the leaves—those moments cue safety to your nervous system.
And when your nervous system feels safe, that’s when real healing begins.
Grief, Trauma, Anxiety… It All Breathes Easier Outdoors
Therapy invites us to look inward. Nature invites us to soften outward. Together, they make a beautiful pair.
I often encourage clients to spend intentional time outside, especially after we’ve had a deeper session—talking about childhood pain, relationship struggles, or identity questions. The outdoors can hold emotions in a way that sterile spaces can’t.
Have you ever cried in the woods? It’s not weird—it’s sacred.
Have you ever screamed into the wind on a lonely trail or journaled on the beach after a hard week? That’s medicine.
There’s a reason people say “go get some air” when things feel heavy. Your body knows what it needs.
Faith and Nature Go Hand-in-Hand
For my clients who carry faith as part of their journey, nature is often where they feel closest to God—maybe even more than in church pews. There’s something about standing at the edge of the lake or watching the stars appear one by one that reminds us:
You are held. You are not alone. You are part of something bigger.
Creation is a quiet reminder of hope. Even in the dead of winter, the roots are still alive underground. Even after a storm, the sun eventually filters through.
There’s a reason my practice is called The Rooted Therapist. Because healing happens slowly, beneath the surface, and in time… it blooms.
Ways to Let Nature In (Even if You're Not “Outdoorsy”)
Nature therapy doesn’t require a mountain hike or three hours in the woods. It can be small, simple, and integrated into your everyday life. Here are a few ways to get started:
Take your morning coffee or tea outside. No phone. Just breathe.
Walk around the block and notice three things you see, hear, or feel.
Lay in the grass and stare up at the sky for five minutes.
Sit by the water (if you're in West Michigan, there’s no shortage of spots).
Bring nature inside—a plant, a bowl of rocks, an open window.
You don’t have to “do it right.” You just have to notice.
Nature Supports the Work We Do in Therapy
Most of my sessions are virtual, and the connection we build is just as meaningful and powerful as if we were sitting in the same room. While we may not physically step outside during therapy, I often encourage my clients to gently weave nature into their lives between sessions—especially when the emotional work we’re doing feels heavy or stuck.
That might look like journaling on the porch after a deep conversation, taking a quiet walk to process what came up, or simply stepping outside and breathing in some fresh air when emotions start to feel overwhelming.
You don’t have to be in nature during therapy for it to support your healing. Think of it as an extension of the work we’re doing—a grounding space where your body and mind can gently absorb, reflect, and reset.
Rooted, Always. Healing, Always.
If you’ve been feeling off, out of sorts, or overwhelmed—maybe your soul just needs some stillness. Not another self-help checklist or a pep talk—but space to hear yourself again.
Nature is waiting. And so am I.
If you’re looking for a therapist who understands that healing isn’t always linear, that your roots matter, and that sometimes the most profound growth happens slowly and quietly—I’d be honored to walk alongside you.
You were never meant to do this alone.
Ready to feel more grounded in your life?
Let’s start with a conversation. Learn more about working together at TheRootedTherapistMI.com, or follow along on Instagram @therootedtherapistmi for nature-based inspiration, healing reflections, and gentle reminders that you're never too much and never too far gone.
Until Next Time,
Kymberly
The Rooted Therapist MI