Textual Background WILD

                                     Textual Background WILD

            “Alone wasn’t a room anymore, but the whole wide world.” (P.236)

I have to say, Cheryl’s experience in wilderness, and on the hike, was therapeutic in a way. I personally find that being with nature, helps me to find a sense of serenity. With serenity, the feeling of relaxed calmness comes over me, and I am content with the world. I thought it was interesting that in Cheryl’s writing, she recalled memories, flashbacks, of the things she needed most to reflect on, in order to move forward. I think we can all relate to the significance of needing to recollect, and reflect on instances in our lives.

I found that there are nature based therapy’s. It’s an interesting way to find therapy, and I find any kind of natural way to deal with stress and struggles, to be the best option. In nature based therapy I found animal assisted therapy, nature meditation, and physical exercise in a natural environment. I think the environment around you has a huge effect on your performance. Breathing fresh air outside, and smelling accustomed scents can be soothing. The scenery in a natural environment can be comforting, and influential in the nature experience. Clearing your mind, and finding a sense of self outdoors can be inspiring in a way that you experience epiphanies.

         

 “But hiking the PCT was hard in a different way. In a way that made the other hardest things, the tiniest bit less hard.” (P.191)

           

  “Many health care researchers and practitioners say that ecotherapy (also known as green therapy, nature therapy, and earth-centered therapy) -- a term coined by pastoral counselor Howard Clinebell in his 1996 book of the same name -- can have regenerative powers, improving mood and easing anxiety, stress, and depression.” (www.webmd.com).

Cheryl experiences pain, exhaustion, and deprivation. With all those thoughts and feelings at the time, Cheryl didn’t have any easy phase of reflecting, but she does. The time she screamed for her mother in the woods, was an emotional barrier, that she finally released in a way. I think this is a great way to deal with personal struggles, and defiantly something I would do myself.


 http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/nature-therapy-ecotherapy?page=1