Copyright © 2021 Lee Spirit
It’s easy to look at this photo of the Bison in Yellowstone National Park – or to be there in your vehicle along side the road – and think, “How cute! Let’s get out and take a selfie!” But “according to a 2000 study, Yellowstone’s bison are actually more dangerous than its bears! The study found that bison had charged people 81 times over 22 years, killing two. The park’s grizzly bears, meanwhile had injured 30 and killed two”, according to the Associated Press. Many are obsessed with getting the perfect selfie with the wildlife, or on the edge of a cliff, only to get attacked, or fall to their death. Either we have too little fear of nature, or major anxiety about venturing into the outdoors. In this post, I want to help you find that sweet spot in between!
Finding Reprieve in Nature
Nature has always been my reprieve, where I have recharged my batteries, let off steam, exercised my body, and found peace and solace. In the quiet stillness of nature, I have learned mindfulness, and felt spaciousness in my mind, body, and spirit. My wisdom and intuition have developed here, and oftentimes, answers to my problems, or creative inspirations have arisen. I have become more grateful, noticed more beauty, and have felt supported and held by mother earth. Not only that, but the blissful feeling of joy and enlightenment that comes from nature has mostly happened when I’m out there by myself!
Fear of What Lurks in the Outdoors
This all sounds fabulous, right? If it wasn’t for the bears, cougars, wolves, snakes, sharks, alligators, and bison! What about the risk of falling and twisting an ankle, getting struck by lightning, or lost in the woods?
I certainly went through a period of being quite afraid of what might happen, even when I’m with others! I found it helpful to educate myself on the risks and dangers I might encounter.
Two great books that helped my anxiety were: “Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance”, by Stephen Herrero; and “Avalanche Safety For Skiers & Climbers”, by Tony Daffern. Okay, I admit the bear attacks book freaked me out quite a bit! But at least it forced me to get prepared for what I may encounter out there in the woods! I bought all the necessary equipment I needed for my pack. Learning what to do and not do if I encounter different types of bears on the trail was certainly good knowledge to acquire too. Knowing what the backcountry is, as opposed to a maintained trail system is also handy. I took a class on wilderness survival. Educating yourself is a very important step in being comfortable in the outdoors.
Preparing Yourself For Nature
While this didn’t alleviate all of my anxiety about being in the outdoors, especially alone, it certainly helps to be prepared. I’ve also purchased a satellite device if I ever find myself in danger. While it’s a monthly expense to maintain it, and I have never had to use it, it’s like insurance that makes me feel safer in the outdoors.
Later, I learned that the more time I spend in the woods, the more I feel at One with nature. The more I feel apart of nature itself, the less I fear it. I believe that the wildlife can sense my fear. So the more I can tame my fear, the less they feel threatened by my presence in their territory. We must remember that it IS their territory, not ours, and being respectful of their space, they will also respect ours.
Speaking of that, during this Covid-19 pandemic, I’m sure you’ve noticed more people heading out into the mountains and nature. You may also have noticed that the wildlife – like bears and coyotes – have been much more aggressive this season! My theory is that we are encroaching on their territory and making them more aggressive. They sense that something in the world has changed, and they have changed too. We must respect their space!
When we do that, nature and the wildlife are not only our friends. We realize, too, that we are made of the same elements: Earth, air, water, fire, and ether. We ARE nature, and learn valuable lessons from it.
Fear of Nature and Gathering Up Courage
It’s healthy to have some fear when you head into the outdoors. This keeps us awake and alert to the possible dangers. Having courage doesn’t mean that there is no fear, it means that you can face your fears by having an awareness.
If you go on a hike in shorts and a T-shirt without preparing for that possible hail, or even summer snowstorm, you might pay for it! If you don’t have the proper footwear, or muscular strength and agility on a steep mountain slope, you have a greater chance of falling.
I’ve been reading Mark Coleman’s book, “Awake in the Wild” lately. He emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between “a healthy respect for nature and an irrational fear of it”.
There are situations that I do avoid. I’ve often felt that in winter, the backcountry is not a place for me because I don’t want to get caught in an avalanche. I’ve learned about when and where avalanches might occur, and I stay away during those times, and in those places. While this is a healthy respect for nature, I could also gather up courage, and test my limits.
For example, the backcountry can be the most beautiful, peaceful, snow-covered wonderland! If I want to feel safer in avalanche terrain, I could take a course, buy a transceiver, and head to a place where I’m just on the edge of my comfort zone. If I stay there a while, and realize that I am safe, I can keep going back to that spot until I have the courage to go further. I can overcome my fear, just like I have in the forest with the bears.
Feeling Our Connectedness With Nature
As Mark Coleman explains, we have fear because we are seeing ourselves as a separate entity from the elements, when really we are One with them. This “false sense of separateness” fuels our anxiety. When we step out of our comfort zones and realize our fear is a construct of our minds, we allow ourselves to be a part of nature and all its wonder without irrational fears about it.
That’s not to say we shouldn’t be cautious – Just that we can tame our fears of the outdoors when we release the constructs of the mind, and realize how connected we are to nature. “The Buddha told [the scared monks] that the fearless, loving heart is the greatest protection. So he taught them the meditation practice of cultivating loving kindness toward all life”. With mindfulness in nature, and loving kindness, we find ourselves more resilient and steadfast in the middle of any challenging circumstance. Mark Coleman offers a great meditation you can do to tame your fears of the outdoors in “Awake in the Wild”. You can find this book in References.
Tips To Feel & Release Your Fear of Nature
As with any type of emotion, it’s necessary not to push our fear of nature down and away, for that only brings it back with greater force. Instead, we feel through our fear. The way out is through. By noticing what the physical sensations are in the body when we imagine coming face to face with Boo-Boo bear, we connect with where we feel our fear. We then allow the fear, and let it pass through us.
- Try not to avoid the forest because you’re afraid of bears, or afraid of getting lost. Slowly, gradually approach the forest in a safe and controlled way. Do this repeatedly until you feel safe going in a bit further. Perhaps getting a tracking device if you are really concerned about getting lost might help. Learning how to use your bear spray if you come into contact with a bear is a good idea. Repeated exposure to your fear will eventually allow your fear to dissolve. The more time you spend in the woods, the more you recognize that you are a part of nature.
- Breathe through your fear. When we learn how to control our rapid heart rate in scary situations through our breath, we can calm our nervous systems down when faced with our fears. In a scary bear area, I always speed up my pace without running. My breath gets more rapid if I feel the trail may lead me astray. I panic a little when feeling I may get lost in the woods in the dark of night. If I return to the breath, and take slower, deeper breaths, I can calm my nerves. Here’s one of my breathing meditations to try to relieve stress and anxiety about the outdoors: Mindfulness Meditation For Stress & Anxiety.
- Ask yourself if your fear is rational or imagined. Normally there’s wildlife out in the woods, even when you can’t see it. But most of the time, there’s a “Cougar in Area” warning sign up at the trailhead if there’s any danger present. You can decide for yourself if you wish to take that risk or not. In this case, it may be a rational fear of running into a cougar while hiking alone on the trail. On the other hand, you may have just watched a movie about a Grizzly attack, but there is no warning sign. It’s not the time of year for Grizzlies, or the type of terrain a Grizzly would hang out in. So perhaps in this case, your fear is warranted, but more a construct of the mind.
Be One With Nature & Be At Peace
Hopefully this information is helpful to you when considering spending more time in nature. It’s a wonderful place to be to get away from all that is happening in the world and relieve stress. If you don’t have quick access to a forest, lake, or ocean, remember that you can always find simple beauties right within your own neighbourhood. It can be in your garden or yard, and even right in your own home. You have the willpower and courage within you, so get out there and enjoy the peace!
Lee Spirit is an avid outdoors adventurer with a love for nature, photography, health & fitness, wellness, and spirituality. She helps those who suffer from anxiety & negative thinking to become healthier in mind-body-spirit. Her own personal journey has led her to the study and practice of mindfulness, health, wellness, yoga, spirituality, sound healing, meditation, and personal development for over 20 years. Get mindfulness, meditation, and personal development tips in her Free Natural Mind Healing Report.