My Place for Peace: Walking in the Natural World

Where do you find peace? A few years ago, 美国普林斯顿大学 asked staff and students to share the places on campus that bring them solace, comfort and peace. For me, I have always found peace in the great outdoors. Growing up at the foot of a dairy farm in central New Jersey, I spent countless hours laying in pastures, splashing in streams and frolicking in the forest.

On campus, I found a small slice of nature that snakes along Washington Road from near the Princeton Neuroscience Institute to Lake Carnegie. There I could walk among the trees (no matter the season) and take a moment to pause and clear my head.?

According to coverage in The New York Times, evidence suggests that “ecotherapy,” or the practice of participating in activities in wilderness and nature, has a host of mental health benefits. Even walking on a tree-lined street or having a plant at home can help.?

Now, I fully recognize that encountering nature is a privilege that isn’t always accessible to all. That’s why organizations like the Outdoor Equity Alliance in Mercer County are working to remove barriers and inspire people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities and income levels to enjoy the outdoors and become more involved in the natural world.

Even if getting outside isn’t something you crave, ask yourself:?

• What brings me joy?
• Where do I feel calm??
• When is my mind quiet??

With everything happening in the world and the hectic pace of the holiday season, we all deserve (and need) to find ways to rejuvenate ourselves in whatever way works best for you — read a book, enjoy a cup of tea, talk with a friend, engage in spiritual practice or simply take a walk. I encourage you to reflect on the places that bring you peace. See you out there!