The Sad Truth
I really don’t think that it would come to a surprise to any of you that we human beings are spending less and less time in nature. In fact, the presence of technological advances such as TV, cell phones , gaming consoles and computers allowed our spending time with nature to drop about 20%(if not more) than compared to what it was about 10 or 15years ago. This is very SAD? because we are missing out on natures touch and the great benefits its offers us, both physically and mentally.
I myself am guilty of not spending enough time in nature. I work 8 hours a day in a pharmacy in a mall. So I get exposure to some ‘wonderful’ things in this environment. I got to succumb to artificial light and air-conditioning and I am constantly staring a blue screen helping my customers. Not to mention, the stress attached with the job which constantly keeps my cortisol levels high. So , I decided to steal time for myself.
Walking with ease, breathing with a smile, I am in HEAVEN.
Yes, this is what it felt like. Its a familiar feeling because I done it before, but years ago. I don’t have access to the beach in my area, its miles and miles away. So the next bet was go to a nature reserve. It allowed my wife and I to do a hike and it was the most refreshing thing ever and it certainly helped in easing my tinnitus.
Initially, I was tensed because I so badly wanted to hear the sounds of nature and having this ringing in my ears, I was afraid that I will not be able to reap the full benefits that Mother Nature has to offer. Take it as it is, as I progressed, the environment was very forgiving and accommodating to my circumstance. The sound of the chirping birds communicating with one another and various insect noises gave me a sense of appreciation for life. I came to a part of my hike where springboks roamed in the distance and a couple of horses were an arm extension to my touch, making feel so alive and I could feel the peace in this wonderful creature. As the trail unfolded, I got closer to a mini stream. We found a beautiful place to sit on the rocks and listen. Just listen to the water , an endless symphony of a wonderful melody. Since I had not listened to music in awhile, this was like me putting on the radio for the first time in a long time. I felt relaxed and grounded and it was awesome.
It was hard to believe that we had walked about 6km, normally even 1km would so easily be felt had we been in a mall. More than that 3hours never felt so rejuvenating. When I got to my car, my wife smiled and noticed a sense of calm in my face that she had not seen in awhile. I still had my ringing, howling noises but I was a victim of natures touch and completely mesmerized with all the sounds. The tinnitus was more in the background than in the foreground. I left from this place with a thought on dealing with my tinnitus in a new light. I felt that “Hey, life does not have to be all Doom and Gloom” You, Mr Roopesh, can deal with this, look around, you are not Alone.
So apart from the obvious benefits of reducing stress, getting relaxation and attaining a sense of peace, been in nature also offered me a sense of belonging and comfort knowing that my tinnitus may not be completely cured, but can surely be well managed. I need to visit here more often and will certainly be back.
Leaving you with that, I would really love to hear about your stories of been with nature and how it made you feel. And if you have not yet, I highly recommend you get your dose of Natures Touch.
That was a powerful narrative Rgovind, it made me walk along with you. I used to rent a small house in a small town at the hills around Cordoba, Argentina called Agua de Oro, meaning Golden Water, and I used to have long, relaxing hikes through those lovely hills and lay over the rocks by the side of one of the numerous creeks and just listen to the water. Boy I miss that, I don’t have anything near by where I live now in Maracaibo, Venezuela and yes my tinnitus is a nasty thing to deal with.
Hi Oscar.
Thank you so much for sharing.Its a good feeling knowing that we can share our experiences of what we are going through.Just to be able to talk about it, offers inner comfort and a sense that we are not alone.I am sorry to hearthat you don’t have any place closeby to go to. I also do meditation and relax with soothing music.Perhaps you can give this a go, it’s not the same thing but it’s still something.
Yes I can definitly understand your longing for nature. I could not imagine a life without it. I think this must be the most scary experience you can have living without natural resources. It’s a fact that we are more becomming alienated from nature and that’s a bad idea. Let us hope there will be a turning point one day.
Hi There
Too true. Nature is what helps to ground us, and we have got to love and respect it. It is sad how we are becoming so alienated and I wish too for that turning point to come one day. I fear though, it may come when its too late and we will regret it. I hope I am wrong.
what a powerful peaceful article that took me through nature ! while reading your article i felt the breeze, smelled the roses and listened to the moving water. all i’m thinking about right now is how to spend more time in nature ! the problem is that i’m living in Cairo, Egypt and i have to wait for the vacation to go to Saini and enjoy the nature !
thanks for the great article !
Hi Sarah
I am so glad that my article had brought that feeling to you.Yes, it really does uplift one and can do us a world of wonder to our stressful lifestyle.I am sorry though that you are unable to enjoy this at the moment but will pray for your vacation to come quickly.Regards Roopesh
There are times when I get a thumping in my ear and it drives me crazy. I have not figured out why this happens and what the cause could be. I will try your advice and get outdoors and relax in nature to see if the thumping gets quieter.
Mother Nature heals many things and it looks like I just found one more thing to add to the list.
Hi Sharon
Thanks for reading my article.
Do you have ringing, whistling or roaring noises in the ear as well in addition to the thumping?
Is this noise interfering with your ability to hear people when communicating with them?
Nature’s touch can be very powerful and healing for us and it certainly is something that we all should be doing.
Please let me know how it goes and give me a shout if you need anything else.
All the best
Roopesh
Thank you for reaffirming that nature can help with tinnitus and lower stress from it. I have chronic loud metallic tinnitus screeching 24/7 in my ear/head and it has just about ruined my life. The tinnitus is from a head and neck injury a couple of years ago. I have tried many things, while also having surgery, and nothing has changed the tinnitus from constant screeching loud metal. I recently started attending meditation classes and I also am looking forward to walking through the woods soon. I am dealing with chronic nerve pain also, so it is difficult to just get out and walk around. Thank you for sharing the healing power of nature and I look forward to connecting to her again.
You are most welcome. Wish you all the best. I know that when people tell us to ‘take it easy,’ it’s easier said than done. But please take it easy.
Take Care
Roopesh
I want to thank you for your very informative and true articles, for me I think the diet regimen will come first and then the nature walking for stress, I believe that culprit foods you mentioned do indeed make Tinnitus worse especially the salt that is the main culprit for me anyway, I haven’t used salt or purchased foods with added salt or high salt for over 62 years since my mom died and the Doctor put her on a salt restricted diet but, recently I have started adding salt to my food and eating foods that have salt in them, I didn’t realize how wrong I was for doing this until one morning at 1 am I experienced a roaring in my ear that frightend me it stayed for a while and then went away I didn’t know what it came from, I traced back to what I ate that night and there it was a very, very rare portion of red steak, it must have raised my blood pressure and that symptom is a sign of high blood pressure when I usually have low BP also the other foods you mentioned have caused ringing in my ears that I didn’t have before so, I’m going to follow your diet in all foods and I believe that this T will get lower or resolve completely.
Thank you so much for all your Info, I will get back to you on my progress that I think will be better. Have a wonderful life and God Bless you and your family
Laurie
You are most welcome Laurie
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your story with us. I sincerely appreciate it.
Yes please, I would love to hear from you on your progress.
You have a wonderful day as well. God Bless you and your family as well(sorry to hear about your mom).
Regards and Take Care
Roopesh