WELCOME back to our exploration into all things emotional. In this edition our Emotional Health columnist Leigh Smith, explores harnessing the mental health benefits from within the natural elements.
I think Sherlock Holmes may well have hit the nail on the head! When looking for answers to our ailments, we may well find what we are searching for embedded deep in the oldest understanding of medicine.
As early as 460 B.C. Hippocrates and Galen taught us that the four elements, or ‘humors’ of air, water, fire, and earth, each had a direct relationship and effect on our mind and bodies. And although medical science has come a long way since these rudimentary beginnings, it is still widely believed that the natural elements contain potentially health enhancing benefits.
So how can Air, Water, Fire and Earth, play a part in my emotional well-being?
If you think of each of the elements as separate ingredients, each one bringing a vital aspect of the meal, and all four contributing in different ways to create a well balanced and nutritious banquet. When you look at the spread of food laid out before you you might well notice that there is too much of one elements, and a lack of another, thus the meal lacks harmony, and something feels out of kilter, until a balance is created.
Now think of your own connection and personal relationship to each of these elements, and consider: which do you absorb in abundance, and which do you lack. Each element has something to offer, a way to enhance our wellbeing, and can provide us with therapeutic benefits in the most simplistic of ways.
Air
When I consider the therapeutic effects of the lack of air, I see pollution and constricted breathing, I see a heavily burdened chest, weighed down with despair. Embracing this element encourages us to focus on effective breathing, to resource ourselves with clean, fresh air, and to utilise focused breath work (pranayama in yoga) to reduce anxiety and stress. There are some very simple mindful breathing techniques which can greatly enhance our day to day ability to regulate our nervous system and become centred and calm.
Fire
A lack of fire in my life results in lethargy, an unfocused, pointless and passionless existence. Bringing the element of fire makes me consider the power of the Native American sweat lodge, I recall casting many despairs, and long held grief into the fire pit, the heat of the steaming stones cleansing my heart and soul as Carlos would share prayers to the ancestors, and I would emerge feeling reborn and unburdened.
The positive effects of a sunny day on mood is tangible, and recently the sunshine throughout lockdown helped massively to stave off the dark moods and made the situation more bearable.
Water
When I imagine removing this element from my life I realise how much I take for granted living so close to the river Dart. The Dart snakes around me at home and at work, I travel along side her as I journey around doing my day to day chores. The serotonin boosting negative ions effecting my wellbeing, and the background sound of water against stone is a constant backing track to my days.
Water is fundamental to our physical health, and results from experiments to monitor the effects of dehydration, report that along with the physical symptoms such as headaches, dehydration was also found to produce a degradation in mood.
Earth
Time spent in nature, connecting to the earth beneath our feet, forest bathing, and becoming aware of our natural environment, are all so rich with therapeutic benefit. During lockdown I was lucky enough to be able to spend time walking the lanes and exploring the local hedgerows, and I believe that focusing on the life in the hedges helped me to maintain a good balance of mental health. When I feel I am becoming anxious I sit or stand with my feet firmly on the ground, and allow myself to reconnect, sending roots down into the earth and anchoring to the very core. If I lack energy I can draw resources from deep in the earth’s core.
The therapeutic possibilities of working with the natural elements are endless, free, and readily available.
So perhaps it’s time to get your elemental fix, whether that be squeezing clay between your fingers, wiggling your toes in the freezing river, lighting an autumn fire, or filling your lungs with pure, fresh air…. Enjoy.
Leigh Smith is director of studies, course designer and tutor at Heartwood Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Training. Visit www.heartwoodcounselling.org or call 01803 865464.