Reflections of a Ranger: Good Medicine

As autumn begins to flirt with winter, the nights get colder and invade the afternoon. Many of us begin to abandon outdoor activity in favor of recreation in a warmer locale. However, this is a mistake. Most people do not get outside enough even when the weather is ideal. Nearly every job today involves at least some time spent in front of a computer. Over the past several decades our careers have demanded less and less from us physically while advances in technology have lubricated the slippery slope leading to sedentary living. As a result many of us have felt the atrophic effects of this lifestyle. The damage is not merely to our muscles, joints, and waistlines but also to our senses. After a long day of staring at a computer screen many of us go home to relax, which generally involves staring at a television set while lying on a couch. Our ears are bombarded with a cacophony of artificial sounds and white noise, while our eyes are taught to focus on a rectangular area no larger than the biggest LCD screen in our house.

There is, however, a simple remedy for all of this. Take a walk in the woods. This does not have be an exhausting activity, merely start walking through a familiar patch of woods. Allow your ears to drink in the unstructured sounds of the forest. It may take awhile to soak in all the layers. After the hum of fluorescent lights, ringing of phones, chiming of computers, and dozens of other noises we get at work, the subtle tones of the woods may be elusive at first. However, eventually you will learn to distinguish the different parts of this sylvan symphony even if you don't know how to identify them.

See everything. Break out of the narrow visual tunnel that you use at work. Our field of vision is about 120 degrees up and down and almost 180 from side to side. You can't focus on all of that at once, but you can be aware of it. Give your peripheral vision a workout. Gradually you will become more aware of the world you are exploring.

As you move through the woods you not only work your heart and your larger muscles, but you also force several smaller muscle groups to kick in as they stabilize you on the uneven terrain. The more you walk, the stronger you will become. Some of your aching joints may cease their complaining as the muscles surrounding them grow more robust. Regular walking will also help you lose weight.

These changes will occur slowly but surely. If you are willing to deal with the few days of soreness as your body complains about being stirred from its usual complacency you will begin to notice the change. In a few weeks you will feel lighter and stronger. Your endurance will increase the more time you spend in the woods. At this point you may want to explore some areas that have steeper trails or are more remote.

Once your body doesn't mind strolling through the forest and your senses have expanded, then you can reap the full benefits. While many people come to Montreat to appreciate the splendor of our mountains, it is hard to fully soak it in when you are uncomfortable. Until your body stops complaining about being hauled up Lookout Trail you can't enjoy the trip to its fullest. Most people trudge up the trail with their head down lest their underused feet trip on the uneven ground. These people only really experience the bottom of the trail and the top, and perhaps those spots where they took a break to catch their breath. The woodland world opens up more of its wonders to the person who is able to walk the trail without fear of injury or exhaustion.

So walk in the woods often; it is good medicine. Your body will thank you and you will become more aware of your surroundings. When both of these things happen your soul will be able to drink in more of the medicine of the forest and wonder of creation.

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Jason Nanz comes to Montreat from Roanoke, VA. He is a 2006 graduate of Roanoke College, an Eagle Scout, long-time Montreat Ranger and a highly experienced outdoorsman. Jason runs Montreat's Wilderness School and can be reached at montreatwilderness@gmail.com