The Evolving Adventure

Episode 18: Nature Negatives... and how to counter them

What's a nature negative, pray tell? Well, madam or sir, a nature negative can best be described with an example. A cold, rainy, gray day in November is "miserable." In reality, the day is cold, rainy and gray... it is humans who decide it is miserable, and unsuitable for going out when in actuality, it's simply what nature does in November. Counteracting nature negatives can be as simple as recognizing them, dressing appropriately or modifying one's behavior to see the invitation different situations offer. An "unsuitable" area for camping near a lake with mosquitos can be seen as an invitation to set up the tent further from the water source, and enjoy the lake during the day.

Sometimes all it takes is a perspective change.

As Warren Miller says, if you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do. 

A solo episode today celebrates the new year with my story of the figurative wilderness I've been navigating since coming to the decision to start this podcast. It's been a steep learning curve requiring patience, compassion and asking for help. Big thanks to my friend Richard at the Pro Hockey News podcast for answering heaps of questions and offering his insight and advice. Cheers, amigo!

As always, thank you for listening: if you get a chance, please rate and review Wisdom of the Wilderness on your podcast app. 

Today I’m excited to be chatting with Emily about her Yahtzee game, developed to stay motivated and focused during the unexpected changes thrown at everyone this year. Emily Keddie is an endurance athlete, mountain climber and adventure lover frequently seen with her canine companion, Jolly. Listen along for a hefty dose of inspiration, determination and the courage to try new things.

3 Sisters Wilderness in Oregon.

The Tetons are the mountain range located in and near Grand Teton National Park 

Bend is a fun town in central Oregon.

We both plan to be compete at the Broken Arrow Skyrace in Squaw Valley, California over the 2021 summer solstice. 

Maldives 

Pacific Crest Trail 

Fastest Known Time is a great resource to check out who has completed an epic route or trail in the shortest amount of time. Emily's FKTs are listed here.

Yahtzee

The Lost Coast Trail 

Crater Lake Rim FKT https://fastestknowntime.com/route/crater-lake-rim-high-route-or

Cabana de Oso 

El Camino in Spain 

The 395 beer I mention is the 395 IPA by Mammoth Brewing Company... and it was awesome!

Here’s some information on US 395 through California

We also refer to Episode 14, in which Jillian discusses her PCT thru-hike.

Tim Horton’s is a well-known Canadian coffee chain

More synopses of research studies investigating the mechanisms and means by which nature contact affects mental health. There's a lot, there's a lot of repetition and a lot to digest... the biggest takeaway? Just getting outside, whether in an urban park, for an urban walk or to watch your kids play has huge benefits for stress-relief. It's nature itself that provide the benefits, not the way in which you access nature. 

Studies referenced in this article include:

Nature–Based Interventions for Improving Health and Wellbeing: The Purpose, the People and the Outcomes

Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing

Contact to Nature Benefits Health: Mixed Effectiveness of Different Mechanisms

Thanks for listening today! This week we're back again with another guest, the host of the Realist Idealist podcast.

This is a wide-ranging, unscripted conversation about critical thinking. We cover discomfort with emotions, sitting in or with negative emotions, dam-building, how solving a problem can create new problems, and how to connect with your own feelings, emotions and intuition. 

I mention a fantastic professor who encouraged critical thinking in courses I took during my master's degree program.

We talk briefly about an issue with biodiesel I heard about on the Life Stylist podcast with Luke Storey.  

And, because he's one of my favorite writers, here's a great quote by the incomparable Edward Abbey, also mentioned during our discussion, that I think can be expanded out to encompass critical thinking. 

Transparent and intangible as sunlight, yet always and everywhere present, [the desert] lures a man on and on, from the red-walled canyons to the smoke-blue ranges beyond, in a futile but fascinating quest for the great, unimaginable treasure which the desert seems to promise. Once caught by this golden lure you become a prospector for life. 

Hello friends, another solo episode today discussing some studies reporting the benefits and potential mechanisms by which nature contact improves mental health. With reports of deteriorating mental health becoming more common over the past few months this is an important topic; time in nature can have noticeable effects on mental health with as little as 120 minutes--2 hours--of contact time per week. Please reach out to trusted friends, family and colleagues, or contact a mental health professional if you are struggling during this time.

Studies referenced in this episode include

How might contact with nature promote human health? Promising mechanisms and a possible central pathway

Minimum Time Dose in Nature to Positively Impact the Mental Health of College-Aged Students, and How to Measure It: A Scoping Review

Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing

Today we’re talking to Jillian Keenan, a journalist and author currently based in Mexico City, Mexico about her experience hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Connect with Jillian on Instagram or Twitter.

Here’s some links to topics discussed in the episode:

The Pacific Crest Trail

Jillian's Mantis pack is a custom version from ULA Packs. 

Here's where to get a Cotopaxi fanny pack like mine (thanks, Holly!) to match Jillian’s Mantis backpack. 

The Arctic Circle Trail is in Greenland. 

Jillian’s 20 minute PCT highlight reel 

The course Jillian mentions as renewing her interest in hiking the PCT is offered by the Boulder Outdoor Survival School in Boulder, Utah.  Check out Episode 6 to hear a bit about my experience on a 14-Day Field Course out near Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Today we talk with Tina, a passionate hiker and skier currently in Austria. Tina shares her story of living an adventurous life while working close to nature in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. She's also shares some wonderful life wisdom, stories of her travels and jobs, and her infectious positivity. 

Enjoy this episode!

A short bonus episode summarizing a few more studies about nature contact and the benefits on mental health. Studies referenced in this episode include:

Contact to Nature Benefits Health: Mixed Effectiveness of Different Mechanisms

Nature–Based Interventions for Improving Health and Wellbeing: The Purpose, the People and the Outcomes

Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing

Thanks for joining! It's a solo episode today where I share some tips and tricks I've picked up from a decade(ish) of taking long road trips, whether solo or with friends. There's a lot of territory you can cover in North America with a set of wheels, and a lot of things that can help make the drivetime more enjoyable.

Enjoy!