Did you know that April is Neurodiversity month?

About a year ago I found out that neurodiverse brains process an average of 42% more information than neurotypical brains. This was both surprising and not surprising at the same time given my experience and the neurodiversity in my family.  

There are close to 2 out of every 10 people who are neurodivergent. So - chances are you have close friends and family who are and may not even know it! Maybe you are and it's never been something that was identified in your life to date? Perhaps what I'll share next will resonate with you?

For those who aren't neurodiverse - I'll try and paint a picture for you of what it feels like. Let's imagine that you're having lunch at a local restaurant with a couple of friends. What it means for many is that you're not just listening to and engaging with the conversation at your table.

You're also: 

• picking up threads of conversations around you,

• noticing the one dim light in the corner that is pulsing,

• feeling overwhelmed by the menu choices and reading it 10x,

• hearing the sound of a drink being stirred,

• feeling the tension between people at another table,

• noticing the pattern on someone's shoes as they come in,

• wondering what kind of plant is in the window,

• smiling as a cute puppy goes by outside,

• and it goes on...

With this constant stream of sensory information being processed, is it any wonder you feel tired, overwhelmed, anxious or tapped out?! Especially after social gathering or highly stimulating spaces? For me, parenting young children would also fall into this category! So how do we cope? It's tough when there are many easy ways to soothe ourselves like binge watching, scrolling, our favourite food, drink or mellowing choice. See the common thread... consuming to soothe. But what if we did something radical for a change and did nothing? Yup... NOTHING! For me, nothing else compares to the instant relief and long lasting benefits of quiet, sensory time outside. That kind of doing 'nothing' is one of the most amazing things you can do for yourself!

Nature Therapy is an incredibly grounding practice that quiets the mind, passively calms our senses, lowers our cortisol levels and re-sets our nervous system. I think this is why it is so supportive for all of us. Especially those of us who are neurodiverse! Here are a few reasons why.

• By stepping outside we leave the artificial lights, sounds and frequencies behind.

• When we give ourselves permission to be still, without goals or objectives, and open our senses to the natural world we activate our parasympathetic nervous system state and sink into a place of 'rest and digest'. 

• By surrounding ourselves with natural colours, sounds, patterns and rhythms we not only soothe, but ground ourselves. 

• We create space for ourselves to passively process our emotions.

Here are three steps I'd like to share with you to try when you feel overwhelmed and/or over stimulated. Whether you or a loved one is part of this colourful community or not, I have a feeling this invitation will bring some calm and grounding to your life. 

1. NOTICE: The first step is to notice when you need to step away and reach for Nature. Feeling anxious, tired or irritable are usually good indicators, but it's different for everyone. 

2. PAUSE: Take yourself to a quiet place that feels safe. It might be your backyard, balcony or a park bench. *If you can take your shoes off and put your feet on the earth - even better! Begin to breathe deeply and then guide yourself through your senses with eyes closed. What am I hearing? Smelling? Feeling? Take 15-20mins to do this and then slowly open your eyes.

3. INTEGRATE: Don't walk straight back into the noise! Making a cup of tea or coffee to sit and stretch your quiet time is important. Maybe you even bring it with you to your quiet spot so you don't have to leave? Ask yourself "What am I noticing? and then journal or record a voice memo to help reflect and integrate what you're sensing and feeling. I often find that problems seem to fall into place when I create spaciousness in my day. I also find that I have moments of inspiration or creativity that lead to writing or sketching or new conversations. I wonder what will happen for you? 

My hope is that these simple steps will become easier with time. This is a practice and just like other practices like yoga or journaling, it takes time to find your groove. Be patient and don't give up! And remember... Nature doesn't judge. You can show up a mess and leave early and on the other hand - you can never overstay your welcome ;)

Claire Beach, Founder and Lead Guide

The Wild Edge Nature Immersion