Nature & Mental Health

Summer in Eastern Idaho is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering breathtaking scenery and a wealth of activities. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, nature provides an escape that refreshes the mind and body. Beyond the thrill of exploration, time spent outdoors has profound mental health benefits, helping to reduce stress, elevate mood, and enhance cognitive function.

Spending time in nature helps regulate stress hormones, calm the nervous system, and lower anxiety levels. Even a five-minute interaction with nature can have an immediate soothing effect. Activities such as hiking, camping, or simply being present outdoors encourage mindfulness, allowing you to disconnect from daily pressures and focus on the present moment.

For those struggling with mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or ADHD, nature-based therapy and immersion in natural spaces can serve as powerful coping tools. Walking through green landscapes, listening to the sounds of a river, or gazing at the stars can ease emotional strain, offering clarity and mental restoration.

Spending time in nature is more than just an activity for me—it’s where I feel most alive, where I thrive, and where I heal. Whether I’m standing at the edge of a breathtaking waterfall, watching the sun set behind the Teton Valley, or simply feeling the cool breeze during a quiet moment outdoors, I find a sense of peace that nothing else quite offers.

One of the ways I feel most connected to nature is through gardening. There’s something deeply fulfilling about tending to plants, watching them grow, and nurturing life with my own hands. Digging into the earth, feeling the soil, and witnessing flowers bloom or vegetables thrive brings a sense of calm and accomplishment. The simple act of gardening not only grounds me but also reminds me of the beauty of patience and care.

Beyond gardening, Idaho’s natural beauty resets my mind. Whether hiking rugged trails, dipping my toes into a cool river, or gazing at a vast star-filled sky, every experience in nature brings joy and clarity. It's not just a place to explore—it’s where I reconnect with myself, where I find energy, inspiration, and healing as well as building connections with my family.

Eastern Idaho’s incredible landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for these benefits, with affordable outdoor activities that let you experience nature without breaking the bank:

• Hiking in the Teton Valley – Free-access trails with stunning mountain views.
• Exploring waterfalls – Visit Mesa Falls, a breathtaking natural wonder.
• Floating the Teton River – A relaxing way to enjoy the water, especially if you have your own gear.
• Camping in public lands – Affordable spots for a night under the stars.
• Wildlife watching – Observe diverse animals in their natural habitat at no cost.
• Stargazing – Low light pollution makes Idaho’s skies perfect for celestial viewing.
• Visiting the Idaho Falls River Walk – A peaceful path along the Snake River.
• Exploring the St. Anthony Sand Dunes – Ideal for photography and quiet reflection.

Nature asks for nothing yet gives so much. Whether it's the thrill of a new adventure or the tranquility of a quiet moment, embracing the outdoors in Eastern Idaho can be a powerful way to reset your mind, body, and spirit.

Which of these experiences would you love to try this summer?

Sara Hiatt, LCSW

Photo by Andrei Tanase @ Pexels.com

Self-Care for Mental Health Professionals: A Vital Practice, Not a Luxury

As mental health professionals, we spend our days holding space for others—listening deeply, offering empathy, and navigating trauma, crisis, and emotional pain. It's meaningful work. It's human work. And it can be deeply exhausting.

So, let’s say it clearly: Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s survival.
And for those of us in the helping professions, it’s a professional responsibility.

Why Self-Care Matters in the Helping Professions

Burnout and compassion fatigue are not signs of weakness—they’re occupational hazards. We’re often so focused on our clients’ needs that we minimize our own. But we can’t pour from an empty cup. Self-care isn’t something to squeeze in at the end of the day; it’s something to build into our daily rhythm.

Regular self-care protects our clinical effectiveness, emotional balance, and ethical practice. It's not a reward—it’s a requirement.

Core Areas of Self-Care for Mental Health Workers

Here are five essential domains of self-care, with examples specific to those in our field:

1. Physical Self-Care
• Take breaks between sessions to stretch or breathe.
• Eat lunch away from your screen.
• Hydrate throughout the day.
• Don’t skip your own doctor’s appointments.
2. Emotional Self-Care
• Debrief with trusted colleagues or supervisors.
• Journal or process tough sessions.
• Name and normalize your own emotional reactions.
• Say “no” when you need to protect your energy.
3. Mental Self-Care
• Give your brain a break: read fiction, do puzzles, listen to music.
• Take intentional time away from clinical work and theory.
• Be mindful of secondary trauma and vicarious stress.
4. Social Self-Care
• Connect with people outside of the mental health world.
• Cultivate relationships that don’t involve “fixing” anyone.
• Schedule meaningful time with those who nourish you.
5. Spiritual Self-Care
• Reflect on your values and why you do this work.
• Practice mindfulness, prayer, or gratitude rituals.
• Get out in nature, unplug, and ground yourself.

Practical Ways to Build Self-Care into a Demanding Schedule

• Add short "recovery rituals" between sessions (deep breathing, music, stepping outside).
• Set boundaries around after-hours availability—your time off is sacred.
• Use your PTO. Rest is a form of resistance against burnout culture.
• Find or create a support group for clinicians.

Final Thoughts

You are not a machine. You are a human being doing heart-centered work. Taking care of yourself doesn’t just make you a better therapist, counselor, social worker, or case manager—it helps you stay connected to the why behind what you do.

So please—tend to yourself with the same compassion you offer to your clients.

You are worth that same care.

Travis Bell, LMSW

Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich at Pexels.com