Shortly after the tragic bombing of the Boston Marathon this spring, my wife and I traveled to the outskirts of Kirkwood, to Emmenegger Nature Park. There, with our Great Pyrenees strolling beside us, inspecting the trail with the same scrutiny as a seasoned botanist, we found relief from the endless stream of troubling news accounts.
The wind rustled through the leaves. Squirrels scampered. Water trickled through the winding streams. The relentless hum of everyday life faded, replaced by a more tranquil repose. For a moment, our nerves—frayed from the day’s events—were mended. By the time we left, we felt rejuvenated.
We weren’t alone in noticing the contrast.
As emails and cellphones have begun to consume Americans’ lives, many have come to appreciate the calming effects of nature, with healing gardens at area hospitals being one of the most literal examples. Missouri native and best-selling author Richard Louv is among the most vocal advocates for nature’s role in our lives. Eight years ago, Louv wrote the book Last Child in the Woods. He made the case that the rise of electronics—and kids’ subsequent lack of time spent outdoors—contributes to the rise in obesity, attention deficit disorder, and depression.
After the book came out, a woman in Seattle stopped Louv, saying, “Listen to me, adults have nature-deficit disorder, too.” Other grown-ups also spoke “with heartfelt emotion, even anger, about this separation, but also about their own sense of loss,” Louv wrote in his follow-up, The Nature Principle. In that book, he argued that restoring nature in our everyday lives has a restorative effect on us as well: It can sharpen the mind, encourage wellness, and strengthen relationships.
In this month’s cover feature, you’ll find no shortage of stories about St. Louisans who are embracing the outdoors: a canoe guide who spends hours navigating the Mississippi River, a stable manager who cares for horses at Tower Grove Park, a lifeguard who spends her summers in the sun. You’ll also discover small, unexpected ways to find respite for yourself, from tucked-away parks to hidden patios, mini golf to yoga under the Arch.
Hopefully, after experiencing these things firsthand, you’ll discover your own favorite ways to escape, without wandering too far from home.
