Elemental Health

Water, Wind, Fire and Earth.

The power of the elements, of nature, has been heralded over millennia and worshipped, revered and used to gain insights, build communities, provide sustenance, inspire incredible works of art and to heal.

All Indigenous cultures throughout history have lived according to the laws of nature, have embraced and embodied the natural elements in their lives, co-existed and respected the many faceted aspects of the elements and lived in harmony with them.

As Western societies developed, this innate connection to nature started to disappear, the elements were not seen as part of us but rather as something to be used, to be taken advantage of, to advance and improve our lifestyles.

Generation after generation, the thread was lost and the artificial noise got louder, the distractions were more demanding and we lost sight of the essence of the connection to the elements and how important that connection is to our well-being and happiness.

Now, as a consequence of the intensity of our lifestyles, the striving for more and more and with less time to just stop and breathe, and with an alarming increase in mental health issues throughout every Western society, health experts and scientists are looking to find ways to fix and manage this crisis.

Where it gets interesting is that there are now studies and research that are showing time spent in nature, connecting with the elements of water, earth, the clean air and fire is improving mental health conditions and there is a push in some parts of the Medical field to have this as a prescribed medical treatment – “time in nature” Who would have thought?

Every Indigenous culture in the world could tell you that.

So what are some of the benefits of connecting to the natural elements. Based on a number of studies we can suggest the following -

WATER – The Ocean

The high mineral content of the sea is thought to be good for the skin and the body. Oceanic compounds, notably magnesium, regulate the nervous systems to perform many functions. The sea salt(sodium chloride) also has physical benefits from oxygenating our blood to regulating blood sugar levels.

On average, sea water has 3.5% of salt, which means you get 35 grams of salt for one litre of water, and then there are small parts of magnesium, sulphate and calcium.

One of the surprising benefits of sea water is that it strengthens the immune system. The number of red blood cells increases by 5% to 20% after a swim in the sea. The number of white blood cells increases even more, so sea water is fantastic for people with a weakened immune system and high blood sugar levels.

Because sea water contains magnesium it will calm you down therefore can reduce anxiety and can help with better sleep and naturally boost your mood.

 EARTH – The Bush

Trees contain essential oils that release into the forest air when walking through these, we breathe in these oils and this helps improve our health. Right away, energy levels increase by 30%. We sleep better and longer.

The practice of Shinrin-yoku or forest bathing was developed in Japan and has become a foundation of preventative health care and healing in Japanese medicine. It was introduced to offer an eco-antidote to tech-boom burnout and to inspire residents to reconnect with and protect the country’s forests.

Walking through the forest creates calming neuropsychological effects through changes in the nervous system, reducing the stress hormone cortisol and boosting the immune system.

After just 15 minutes of taking in the bush atmosphere, blood pressure drops, stress levels reduce and concentration and mental clarity improve.

 WIND – The fresh air

Air by the coast is charged with negative ions, which increases our happy hormone, serotonin. Also a higher intake of magnesium from the sea air helps improve the quality of our sleep.

FIRE – the heat

According to research from the University of Alabama, sitting by a fire decreases blood pressure. This can be related to how our ancestors used to relax and socialise sitting around a fire where they felt safe and bonded with their friends.

Fires can help induce a trance-like relaxation as well as reduce blood pressure, what can be experienced when sitting around a fire is a slowing and even emptying of the mind, all the thousands of thoughts going on in the head start to dissolve and this can lead to more clearly thinking things through, as well as give you a better quality of sleep once all those thoughts disappear

HOW WE ENGAGE WITH THE ELEMENTS

The science is catching up to what I have intuitively known all along and how I choose to live my life.

I have always connected to nature, particularly the ocean and the bush on the Mid North Coast of NSW. I have sought it out on many occasions throughout my life to relax, recover, recharge and to regain my centre when I was feeling out of control in different aspects of my life. It was and is my first option when I want to work through an issue as it gives me the time and space and focus to get clarity.

I have been drawn more and more to the elements and am feeling more connected to myself and my health has improved immensely from this connection.

I am now inspired to guide others, introducing them to the amazing benefits of each of the elements in a weekend of full immersion in nature.

THE WEEKEND CAMP