All right, so rewilding, huh?
Yeah, you've given us a ton to unpack here.
Articles on mental health benefits and practical tips,
even some pretty inspiring stories
about how it's transformed people's lives.
It's a...
We're going deep on this one.
How to bring the wild back into your world,
especially since it seems like you're in the city
and looking for that self-sufficiency boost.
Yeah, and what's so fascinating about rewilding
is that it's not just about planting trees or something.
It's about recognizing that this disconnect
we feel from nature, it's actually impacting us
in a way we don't even realize.
You're hitting on something I found really interesting
in all of this, that idea of nature deficit disorder.
We've touched on it before on the show,
but what does that actually look like
in our everyday lives?
Yeah, it's subtle at first.
You feel restless, unfocused, you crave escape,
but you don't even know where to turn.
We tend to just chalk it up to the modern world,
but it goes way deeper than that.
Our brains, they literally evolved in nature.
Our senses, they're designed for it.
And when we deprive ourselves of that,
we end up with a kind of sensory
and emotional malnutrition.
So it's not just about needing a vacation.
It's like our minds and bodies are literally less equipped
to handle the stress and the stimulation of city life
without that nature balance.
Exactly, that's exactly it.
And that's where rewilding comes in.
This isn't about rejecting modern life completely.
It's more about finding ways to weave
those primal connections back in.
And the benefits are surprisingly practical.
Improved focus, reduced stress,
even tapping back to that gut instinct we all have,
but we tend to ignore so often.
Okay, that's what I really wanna unpack here,
the how, let's say our listener is stuck in an office all day,
bombarded with emails, deadlines.
How do they actually start rewinding
that stressed out system?
Well, it can be surprisingly simple, believe it or not.
Remember, our bodies are really meant to move
in ways that modern life doesn't always allow.
So instead of just like hitting the gym,
think about incorporating movements
you'd find in nature.
Okay, so like, what does that even look like?
Like running through the park instead of on a treadmill?
Exactly, or finding a climbing wall
that actually like mimics natural rock formations,
or even just taking a walking meeting outside
instead of being stuck in a conference room.
It's all about engaging your body's natural adaptability.
Interesting.
Yeah, instead of a fixed routine,
you're adjusting to uneven terrain,
engaging different muscle groups,
and your brain gets a workout too.
So it's not just about being in nature,
it's about moving with nature.
Precisely, and the mental benefits of that are huge.
You're present in your body,
not stuck up here in your head.
That's where you start tapping into those deeper instincts,
that gut feeling that can really help you navigate decisions,
big or small.
I love that.
So much of rewilding feels like it's about rediscovering
those things we've forgotten we're capable of.
But we live in a world that's constantly on.
How do we actually quiet our minds
and tap into those deeper instincts?
I'm picturing our listener here, phone in hand,
trying to meditate in a park,
but they're getting bombarded with notifications.
Right, right.
I think that's where the practice of forest bathing comes in.
And before you laugh.
This isn't about taking a dip in a lake,
though that is not a bad idea either.
It's more about consciously immersing yourself
in a natural setting
and really engaging all of your senses.
I'm intrigued.
Tell me more about this forest bathing thing.
It's actually a Japanese practice called shinrin-yoku.
And it's really about slowing down,
tuning into the sights, the sounds,
even the smells of a natural space.
And studies have shown it can actually
lower those stress hormones,
improves your mood,
even boosts creativity.
Wow.
And the best part is,
you don't need a whole forest to do it.
A park, a backyard,
even a few houseplants can have a real impact.
So instead of like scrolling through our phones
on our lunch break,
we should be finding a patch of grass
and just existing.
It's more about shifting your attention.
Yeah.
You're noticing the way the light filters
through the leaves,
the feel of the breeze,
the sounds of birdsong instead of traffic.
Our senses are literally starved
for that kind of input in the city.
It's funny you mentioned that.
When I do spend time in nature,
I've noticed I pick up on details I normally wouldn't.
Like the way sunlight makes the leaves shimmer
or those little patterns in a bird's feather.
It's almost like my senses are waking up.
Exactly.
You're engaging with the world
in a way that modern life often dulls.
And it's not just visual either.
You know, listen to the rustling leaves,
feel the texture of bark even,
smell the damp earth.
It brings you fully into the present moment,
which is incredibly grounding.
We're talking about engaging all those senses
and food feels like another big piece
of this whole rewilding puzzle.
But again, it's easy to feel stuck
when you're in the city.
Takeout menus are way more accessible
than foraging for wild edibles.
You'd be surprised.
Foraging is more common than you think,
even urban foraging.
But let's back up a bit.
Rewilding your diet isn't really about living off the land.
It's more about shifting your mindset about food.
Okay.
Untack that a bit for me.
What does that look like practically?
We'll start by just bringing in more of the wild, you know?
Grow some herbs on your windowsill.
Swap that afternoon coffee for like a herbal tea.
When you do buy groceries,
think local and seasonal farmers markets are great for that.
So it's about those small conscious choices
that kind of bring us a bit closer
to the source of our food.
A bit more in tune with those natural rhythms.
Precisely.
It's a way to reclaim that connection to what we eat,
where it comes from, and how it backpack our bodies.
Plus seasonal local produce just tastes better.
I can definitely get behind that.
Speaking of connection,
I want to touch on the animal aspect of all this.
City life can feel so separate from the natural world,
including, you know, animals.
Yeah, it's easy to forget
we're part of this intricate web of life.
And animals are essential to that.
Rewilding is about remembering those ancient bonds
we have with other species.
Okay, so how do we actually do that in a respectful way,
especially in an urban setting?
I can't exactly go hug a squirrel in the park,
though I've been tempted.
While I wouldn't recommend hugging random squirrels,
the key is really mindful interaction.
Start by just learning about the wildlife in your area.
The types of birds, the critters that come out at night,
even just observing their behavior,
their patterns can be incredibly grounding.
It's like tuning into a whole other world
that's always been there.
We've just forgotten how to see it.
Exactly.
And remember, respect is key.
Admire from a distance, avoid feeding them.
It disrupts their natural habits.
And remember, we are visitors in their home.
Right, we've talked about movement, mindfulness,
food, animals.
It feels like so much of this comes down
to recalibrating our senses, being more present.
But how do we create that sense of wildness
within our own home,
especially if we're, you know, surrounded by concrete?
You'd be surprised how much we can actually do.
Think about it.
What are the elements of nature that bring you peace?
How can you bring those indoors?
Well, I've become a bit obsessed with houseplants lately.
My apartment is starting to resemble a jungle,
but like a good kind of jungle.
That's fantastic.
Houseplants purify your air.
They bring in color and life.
And just the act of caring for something
can be incredibly grounding.
But it goes beyond that.
Use natural materials in your decor.
Maximize that natural light.
Declutter your space to create a sense of calm.
It's like we're talking about creating a sanctuary,
a little pocket of wildness within the city walls.
But what about rewinding our minds?
That feels like the bigger challenge.
How do we quiet the noise of the city
and those ingrained thought patterns
that keep us so disconnected?
It's like we're so used to operating on autopilot,
you know, glued to our screens and those to-do lists.
We've kind of forgotten how to just be.
You hit the nail on the head there.
It's about unlearning some of those deeply ingrained habits.
Yeah.
That constant need for productivity,
for instant gratification, for logic over intuition.
Those are all modern constructs that can really block us
from connecting with that wilder,
more intuitive part of ourselves.
So how do we start to undo that programming?
It's not like we can all just quit our jobs
and move to the wilderness.
Though it sounds pretty tempting some days.
Yeah.
You don't have to escape the city
to find that wildness within.
It starts with small conscious acts of rebellion
against that autopilot mode.
OK.
Put down your phone and really observe your surroundings.
Take a different route to work.
Just to shake things up.
Yeah.
Spend time in nature without an agenda,
without feeling like you need to be productive.
It's about giving ourselves permission to just be,
to rediscover that sense of curiosity and wonder
that we probably all had as kids.
Exactly.
And mindfulness practices can be really helpful here.
You know, meditation, even for a few minutes a day,
can help you become more aware of those thought patterns
that keep you locked in that cycle of doing
rather than being.
It's like hitting the reset button on our brains,
reminding ourselves that we're not machines.
We're part of something bigger, wilder, more connected
than our to-do lists would have us believe.
And that brings us to another really important aspect
of rewilding community.
Mm-hmm.
You know, humans have always thrived in tribes,
in groups with a shared purpose.
Yeah.
And in a world that can feel increasingly isolating,
finding your pack, your rewilding tribe
can make all the difference.
We've talked about community gardens before.
What does that look like in a practical sense?
It can be as simple as joining a local hiking group,
volunteering at a park cleanup,
or even connecting with people online
who share your interest in foraging
or wildlife photography.
Right.
The point is to find your people.
Those who understand this desire to connect with nature
and who can support you on your own rewilding journey.
Yeah, because let's be real, it's not always easy.
It's not.
There will be days when you'd rather order takeout
than cook a meal from scratch or scratch
or scroll through social media than go for a walk in the park.
Absolutely.
But that's where having a supportive community
can make all the difference.
It's about celebrating those small victories together,
encouraging each other through the challenges,
and remembering that every step we take
towards a wilder, more connected life
is a step worth taking.
And it's not just about us, is it?
It's about creating a healthier, wilder future
for generations to come.
Beautifully said.
By rewilding ourselves,
by reconnecting with nature and with each other,
we're also planting seeds for a future
where humans and nature are no longer seen as separate,
but rather as different parts
of the same interconnected web of life.
So for you listening, what will you do today
to reconnect with your own wildness?
Maybe it's finally going for that hike
you've been putting off,
starting at herb garden on your windowsill,
or just taking a few minutes to appreciate the sunset
without reaching for your phone.
Just be present.
Remember, rewilding is not about being perfect.
It's about being present.
It's a lifelong journey
of rediscovering those ancient rhythms,
those primal connections,
and remembering that we are a part of nature,
not apart from it.
And on that note, we'll leave you with this.
Go find your wild.
It's real.
We'll be here next time with another deep dive
into the things that matter.