collage of Norma Flood and her family hiking throughout the years

norma flood as a child with her siblings in snow gear — *Playing in the snow as kids.*

A Place of Solace

Nature offers a place of solace and joy that is difficult to put into words. As John Muir stated, “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” It is an untamed place where life goes on regardless of dates, schedules or seasons. From early childhood, I was fortunate to be immersed in nature regularly, whether exploring the Northwoods to build a fort, find a good fishing spot, climb a tree, or build snow structures in the winter time. No matter what was happening at home or school, nature was my constant companion to nurture my soul and lift my spirits.

Feeling Lost in Period of Nature Deficit

As a teen, I lost some of this connection with nature and tried to find myself through what I was “doing,” including through my performance in sports, a job, or academics, which continued into college. There was a positive sense of accomplishment, but often the pressure built up and I lacked the sense of calm I used to feel and sought alcohol as my new way to calm anxiety or emptiness.

norma as a young woman backpacking in the woods — *Backpacking in my mid 20s.*

Finding Myself Again

Fast forward to my mid-twenties and I was invited to go on a back-packing trip with friends. This felt like a refreshing alternative to my daily long runs to train for the next running event. What I experienced in those 5 days was beyond what I could explain, and I basked in the afterglow that lasted over a week following my return. I was hooked! I found something that offered more mental health benefits than my therapy sessions, and a better escape than alcohol. Since then, I’ve included hiking as part of my core routine that replaced my obsession with running.

norma flood and her husband tim with their two kids at the top of the potato chip rock hike — *At the top of Potato Chip Rock with my husband and two kids when they were 8 and 6 years old.*

Trekking for a Growing Family

Starting a family offered new challenges for me and I recognized my need for nature was even greater. I found a good baby jogger that could traverse trails with baby in tow, then a double for two as our family grew. I enjoyed the new-found wonder that my kids gleaned from our nature walks. As they grew, more time was spent out of the stroller until we were able to ditch it all together. Our hikes grew longer sooner than I had expected and by the ages of 8 and 6, our kids were hiking with us to the top of Mount Woodson to visit Potato Chip Rock, a 7.3 mile hike with a 2,129 elevation gain to the top.

The Flood Family hiking in Europe on Tour du Mont Blanc — *Hiking with my husband and kids in Europe on Tour du Mont Blanc.*

How Our Family Has Grown in Nature

I feel blessed to live in Poway, California where wooded trails wind through neighborhoods, as well as in the nearby foothills. These include a peaceful walk in Blue Sky Reserve, a hilly hike around Lake Poway, or a more challenging hike to Potato Chips Rock. Other nearby favorites include Iron Mountain and the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve.

Our hikes have expanded to some challenging but also enjoyable destination hikes including Mount Whitney, Cactus to Clouds, Mount San Jacinto, the Sierra Nevada, National Parks in California, Utah, Montana and Colorado, and more recently in Europe as Tour du Mont Blanc and next Switzerland. Every hike leaves our family wanting to plan the next one!

My son as a young teen about to embark on a backpacking trip.

Kids to Young Adults: Finding Their Own Way in Nature!

I am grateful that our grown kids have found their own passion for hiking and have gone day hiking or backpacking on their own, whether through Poway Backpackers’ Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite, or with friends exploring other parts of the Sierra Nevada or in the Wasatch Mountains near the University of Utah’s college campus. They too feel the unexplainable benefits of hiking that nourishes their spirit and feeds their soul.

Nature is There for Everyone!

Getting out in nature is fit for all levels! Whether sitting or walking in the park or hiking to a peak, the benefits to mind, body and soul remain. Each person’s relationship to nature is unique, yet essential to our mental health.

I encourage you to find a regular practice of incorporating stillness into your life in nature. It is the best medicine to balance out our over-stimulating world, and there is endless research on its benefits. You will definitely find more than you seek! Be Well!

About the Author: Norma Flood, Integrative & Functional Nutritionist

Norma Flood is a Registered Dietician Nutritionist guiding adults and teens to better brain balance and gut health. Holding a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences, she is recognized as one of San Diego’s top Integrative and Functional Nutritionists. With a deep commitment to holistic well-being, Norma provides personalized health counseling and applies functional nutrition therapy to effectively support digestive health, mental health, and eating disorder recovery. She offers both in-person and group counseling as well as online education. Follow Norma Flood on YouTube as she shares small, easy steps that you can take each day to support better gut health and mental health using an integrative and functional approach.

Take a Hike! My Favorite Path to Self-Discovery While Nourishing Mind, Body and Soul.