Anxiety & Depression Help Through Nature Therapy w/ Nate Summers

Backyard Gardening

Backyard gardening offers a practical way to engage with nature and improve well-being. Nate Summers suggests starting with nutrient-dense greens like kale and chard, which are easy to grow even for beginners. These can thrive in pots, making them ideal for urban settings. Mike Mutzel shares his personal experience of gardening with his daughter, emphasizing the joy and energy it brings 1. Nate also highlights the importance of knowing your soil's history to avoid contaminants 2.

   

Foraging Foods

Foraging for wild foods like berries and greens can significantly enhance your diet. Nate praises wild blueberries for their superior flavor and nutrients compared to cultivated varieties. He also recommends nettles, a nutrient-rich superfood, which can be easily identified and harvested 3. Nate advises checking the soil history when foraging or growing your own food to ensure safety from contaminants 4.

Nettles have as much nutrients and vitamins and minerals as any of that stuff, and it grows everywhere.

--- Nate Summers

This approach not only boosts nutrition but also connects people with nature.

   

Microbial Benefits

Interacting with soil can have profound benefits for the gut microbiome. Nate explains that lightly rinsed, homegrown produce can restore gut health by reintroducing beneficial microbes. He notes that digging in the dirt releases chemicals that promote happiness and health 5. Mike shares his own gardening experiences, highlighting the energy boost from engaging with the soil 1.

Just digging in the dirt actually releases healthy, happy chemicals into your body.

--- Nate Summers

This natural interaction fosters a symbiotic relationship with the environment.