Witnessing Nature’s Resilience

August is a beautiful time in the Pacific Northwest. It’s a month when nature unveils its most enchanting self, a fleeting interval where summer's warm embrace harmonizes perfectly with the region's wild, timeless beauty. While the Pacific Northwest is deservedly famous for its misty mornings and gentle rains, August is unique. It’s often the sunniest month of the year. The persistent gray clouds retreat, revealing endless blue skies and golden sunlight that dances upon water.  

This month, the women at Engedi Refuge are spending some special time outdoors in nature. One of our board members runs a whale watching and fishing charter business, and he recently took a group of Engedi residents to spend a special day on the Puget Sound. In addition, our staff took the women living at Engedi Refuge camping to spend some quality time hiking, sleeping under the stars, and cooking meals outdoors.

Although these activities are fun, at this time of year, we intentionally schedule activities in nature to help our residents with trauma recovery. Trauma significantly impacts a woman’s mental and emotional well-being. While providing professional trauma counseling is a crucial part of our program, equine-assisted trauma therapy and taking the time to engage with nature, specifically through activities like whale watching, fishing, and camping, can also offer a unique and complementary path towards healing and restoration.

Outdoor activities help promote a sense of calm and safety, especially while practicing mindfulness and present-moment focus. Whale watching encourages a focus on the present moment. Observing the awe-inspiring behavior of the whales, the movement of the boat, and the vastness of the open water can be especially calming. This can shift attention away from traumatic memories and anxious thoughts, providing a sense of calm and helping survivors feel more grounded in the present.

Spending quality time in nature hiking and camping has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety by lowering cortisol levels, lowering blood pressure, and improving mood. These physical and physiological changes can be particularly helpful for managing the heightened anxiety and stress often experienced by trauma survivors.

Witnessing nature’s resilience can also help survivors reconnect with their own emotions and foster resilience. This can provide hope and inspire survivors to believe in their ability to heal and overcome adversity by developing healthier coping mechanisms than they may have turned to in the past.

Connecting with the natural world can also help survivors learn to connect with others. Witnessing the magnificence of whales in their natural habitat can evoke feelings of awe and wonder, promoting positive emotions and a deeper connection to the world around us. This can be particularly impactful for trauma survivors who often struggle with feelings of detachment or isolation. For some trauma survivors, especially those who may have difficulty with human interaction, the presence and observation of animals, particularly the gentle and social nature of horses and whales, can provide a non-judgmental source of comfort and emotional support.

While outdoor activities are never going to replace the power of traditional trauma therapy, it can serve as a complementary tool, offering a unique blend of mindfulness, connection to the Holy Spirit, and the opportunity to witness the beauty and resilience of our natural world.