Life in Relationship

Author: Heidi Goehmann

Writer, licensed clinical social worker, and theologian, Heidi Goehmann, produces resources that advocate for mental health and genuine relationships. She loves her family, post it notes, Jesus, adventure, Star Wars, Star Trek, and new ideasnot necessarily in that order.
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Genres: Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Relationships, Society & Culture

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Nature & Identity Development
Episode 7
Friday, 19 September, 2025

Question: I'm tired of figuring out who I am, can nature help? Tip 1 - Developmental awareness - it's a lifelong process, friends. Tip 2 - Nature invites a "state of openness" Value of introspection groundedness of reflection through natural world is possibly more accurate Studies found people were more hopefully but also saw the size of their problems more accurately Clarity, connection, and creativity come forward in the act of "be-ing" God's intimacy with nature Movement and our sense of agency Tip 3 - Do we have an attachment relationship with nature? Biophilia hypothesis- our attachment with nature makes us feel more relaxed and cared for, "provisioned" Builds our foundation to do the work of identity development Gives energy or a sense of vitality for life + delight Topophilia - love of places, particular environments Stress reduction - helps us see ourselves more clearly (IFS and parts theory) actual change in cortisol concentration in blood tests after forest bath Recovery rate for stress was 87% (after forest therapy sessions) Recovery rate for headaches was 52% (after forest therapy sessions) Tip 4 - Nature offers Rest Replacing or releasing negative thoughts and identity weavings opportunity Reduction in loneliness Expanding access to invitation skills Feed and provided for in nature might help us to feed and provide in our relationships in turn Nature reflects God and therefore offers us spiritual rest (Song of Songs, Job 38ff) Experience towards decolonizing the natural world and improvements in minority or global majority identity development References & Resources: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7036903/#B33-ijerph-17-00685 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204624000707 https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1527&context=expressive_theses heidigoehmann.com https://substack.com/@heidigoehmann https://www.instagram.com/heidigoehmann/?hl=en