How to Find Your Outdoor Healing Place: Sit Spot Guide

The world can seem a little out of whack right now. How and where can we find that healing outdoor space in nature to help de-stress and revitalise us? This space is known as a sit spot.

A place where you can be alone in nature, in peace and harmony with your surroundings. You can be there for 5 minutes or hours. The idea is not to add the stress of time to this activity. It is also an opportunity to unplug from digital distractions, or at least turn off the ringer, as complete withdrawal can cause anxiety without a gradual withdrawal.

Why?

Every time you turn on the mainstream media, there is another menace excites our emotions. It is like the vampires are having a feeding frenzy, requiring negative energy to constantly be fermented. Nature can provide a blueprint that works with our bodies to help us return to a peaceful balance.

The benefits of tuning into your own special place in nature have been well researched, and some of the main benefits include:

• Anxiety reduction
• Lowers heart and blood pressure
• Recovery from mental fatigue
• Improved sensory awareness

From the list you can see that there are some major benefits to finding a healing place in nature. An outdoor space to sit and reflect allows you to not only observe nature but also to tune into your own emotions. If you do start this journey in the company of others, it is important that each person finds their own individual spot in the area.

The most wonderful thing to know is that wherever you are in the world, be it Estwatini, Norfolk Island or Canada, there is an outdoor space that speaks to you. It starts from within you, and is not necessarily the space itself, but how your personal energy resonates with it.

“As above, so below, as without, so within,” is the hermetic philosophy that guides us in understanding the connections. There are ways in which you can find or create your healing place in nature, which is also known as a “sit spot.”

It is not just a visual choice, let the other senses come into play. What do you feel? What do you hear? Is there a particular smell about a place that soothes you?

How Do You Know?

When looking for that spot that will heal the troubled soul, you will know when you find it because it will speak to you. Your senses will tune into the subtleties of the area. Nature is about relearning trust to your intuition. Many of us have had the experience of feeling something was not right in an environment, only to go repress the feeling and regret it because our first instinct was right.

Next, you can use critical thinking. Is this place convenient and safe? How often will I be able to get to the spot? All these are valid questions when finding your healing space. The spot is where you will practise mindfulness, slow breathing and stillness. You can start with a few minutes and gradually build to a comfortable time.

Make sure you are prepared for the environment where you choose your healing space. If you are a new or a seasoned seeker, hit the search like a girl guide. I remember the compass, whistle and fire starter used for some of those orienteering guide badges back in the day.

I recommend you prioritise clothing for comfort and protection. Check the weather forecast for the area. Also, research the terrain, so items like your outerwear and shoes are appropriate. Cover your skin, there has been an increase in tick activity in many areas in North America,

By The Water

As I share these words, I get to experience the cooling breeze of lake winds flowing across the bay. This is my healing space. A place that was considered special by the indigenous people before contact. The area is a place of natural energy, drawing visitors from across the country and the world. The residences are built on land that was once underwater, but as the water receded, dolomite cliffs were left exposed, forming picturesque landscapes which became home to some of the oldest trees in the country.

Humans are drawn to places of power. You may think it is just a nice getaway, but the nervous system is responding at an energetic level, especially to areas with water. That is why lakeside living is sought after by those far from water due to the positive feeling you receive from the environment. Flowing water has its own particular resonance and that is why waterfalls are particularly attractive as healing spaces.

By a Tree

If you are not a water person, then perhaps you will find your space inland, in a greener space, in a place where forest bathing can tend to your tired nerves.

Have you ever sat with a particular tree in a forest? That tree is surrounded by other trees, each living out their existence in harmony with their environment. Each providing shelter and food to fellow creatures, and each being supported by those same creatures. According to Peter Wohlleben, author of The Hidden Life of Trees:

Trees maintain an inner balance. They budget their strength carefully, and they can meet all their needs – Peter Wohlleben

Trees have always had a special place in ancient cultures. Groves were often seen as sanctuaries, according to Sir James Frazier. If you recall, Buddha is said to have achieved enlightenment under a Bodhi tree, (Ficus religiosa).

Throughout Africa, the baobab tree is considered to be the tree of life by the wisdom keepers. Oak trees are the equivalent for followers of Celtic beliefs.

Find your tree. You may have walked past it many times, but not paid attention. The leaves may have rustled as you walked by or certain aspects of its stature may have caught your attention. Maybe the tree is a favourite with the birds and squirrels because of the transformational energy it emits.

“Plants are attuned to one another’s strengths and weaknesses, elegantly giving and taking to attain exquisite balance. ”
― Suzanne Simard, Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest 

Each one of us has a favourite place and you can find yours too. Even if you live in a condo or apartment, and your 14th floor view is of the distant city park is the nearest you get to greenery. Your balcony is your friend.

Up a Mountain

From Mt. Olympus to Mt. Kilimanjaro, mountain ranges have been considered places of power and sacred in ancient traditions. When you are at the top of a mountain, the panoramic view creates a sense of awe. The peaks and valleys reflect life’s ups and downs, while the vast expanse below a mountain puts your presence into perspective.

You are a drop in this universe, no more nor less than any other thing here. Once you experience this Mount Olympus, god like dimension, you hold that within your field, with each breath you take.

In the City

When you live in a city, you may have to be more creative when seeking your healing outdoor space. My journey started with school projects growing seeds on the balcony. Sitting next to the window box, where I experimented with fledgling potato plants and flowers, became a healing outdoor space. I would let the tension of the inner city melt away and just chill.

Your only limit is your imagination. There are green spaces everywhere, so let your instinct be your guide.

Final Thoughts

Finding an outdoor healing space that becomes your sit spot is a slow and natural way to improve your overall wellbeing. It may seem simple, but some of the best things are the most simple. So may the trees bend to greet you and the waters flow in peace.

If you have found your healing sit spot, feel free to share it with the community in the comments below.