Planet Benefits of Coaching Outdoors
“Our planet, struggling to live under the conditions we have created, desperately needs us to reconnect and take steps towards repair.”
Allen, 2021, p.19
A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.
Coaching outdoors can play an important role in the sustainability crisis the world today faces. If we wish to survive (I say ‘we’ referring to the human species, as Mother Earth will continue to evolve in response to what we have done, without us!) then we need to take responsibility for making survival choices that maintain an environment that our, and other of today’s species, can tolerate. The action required to save our planet will not come from a cerebral place as the sacrifices required are too great. It will come from an emotional place deep within, unstoppable, even with the pain of the sacrifices required. It will come from a place driven by love. We protect what we love and will suffer any pain to do so. I propose that there are ecological benefits of taking our coaching conversations outside based on the premise that through spending time engaging with nature in our coaching conversations we develop a level of nature connectedness.
On what evidence to I base the link that coaching outdoors can create an opportunity for nature connectedness? Here is a comment from a participant on one of the coaching outdoors programmes I run: “There was a moment on this programme when I felt deeply rooted and connected to the earth.” While the programmes are designed to equip people to coach outdoors, there are 2 further unspoken strands to them; Wellbeing and Nature Connection. The same is true of most coaching outdoor experiences. Let’s take a look at what Nature Connectedness is and why it matters.
Nature Connectedness
Nature connectedness is the strength of a person’s relationship with nature. It is more than simply visiting and being in nature.
I believe that ‘minding our landscape’ also has implications for us developing more reciprocal relationships with the natural world; for, as a connective practice, it inherently evokes care for the place. Overall, this amounts to what I would term a sustaining transaction, where both individual and environment are potentially nourished by the contact.” (Marshall, 2016).
Mackay and Schmitt (2019) define nature connection as the sense of ones ‘openness’ with nature. They demonstrate that nature connectedness is a route to both human and natures wellbeing. Their recent systemic review has shown a causal relationship between nature connectedness and pro-environmental behaviours (Mackay and Schmitt, 2019). It highlights that those who are in relationship with nature are likely to use fewer resources and “take positive actions to help wildlife.”
Vignette
Here’s an experience from a client of mine (Gavin Wray, Sales Executive, Keter. 2021) illustrating his experience of moving from being outdoors to being in connection with nature.
Despite being from Yorkshire and living in a fabulous rural area with amazing scenery, rivers and forests on my doorstep, I’ve taken this a little for granted. I’ve enjoyed the feeling of being outdoors for most of my life playing sports like rugby and football, running and cycling, but it’s fair to say that the ‘outdoor’ element has always been secondary to the actual activity I was doing. When out running, my focus was often on pacing myself correctly, preparing for the big hill that was just around the next bend or checking my stopwatch to see how I was measuring up against my target time. The route I took was pre-planned, measured and functional. I rarely even looked up, though have always enjoyed the challenge of the ever-changing weather.
I really did need to change my mind set for these self-coaching, connection walks and wind things down several notches. The slower pace of walking meant I had time to look around. I became aware of so much. Rather than just hearing a background engine noise, I noticed which field that tractor was in and stopped to look at what the farmer was doing. The overhead power cables on the pylons I have run beneath for 20+ years on my regular run, actually sizzle when it’s raining…..never noticed that before!!! How quickly do things grow??? 3 weeks ago, I walked down a narrow track to get to a field, this week I’d need a machete to get through!!!
It’s all been about allowing myself time to slow down and look up. You just put your boots on and get out there. Brilliant. I’ve loved it.
Pathways to Nature Connectedness
The University of Derby has developed ‘Pathways to nature Connectedness Framework’ from a 3-year programme of research. As Gavin shared, it’s more than just being outside exposed to nature. Connectedness is increased through:
Senses - sensory contact e.g., touching petals, walking on grass, listening to birds
Emotion – having meaningful experiences involving emotions; happiness, wonder, joy, calmness
Beauty – appreciation for natures beauty
Meaning – belonging, purpose, relating to natural cycles, celebrating the longest day for example
Compassion - care for nature; feed the birds, plant flowers, beach cleans, bug hotels
The Coach’s Role
I view the coach’s role in the environmental agenda as one where we can (re)connect people with nature for the multi-faceted benefits that brings; wellbeing both for us and the planet, coaching outcomes and business benefits. Coaching outdoors ‘incorporating the pathways to nature connection’ is the powerful active way that you can influence positive environmental change beyond your personal commitments.
But first begin with yourself.
In Summary
It is not science but love that will bring us back to nature time and time again. Love that we feel instinctively in our bones at an ancestral level, love for what is being lost, love for ourselves and each other and the great wish to alleviate suffering, love for the wonder and precarious brilliance of being alive in the universe on a beautiful planet. Allen (2021)
The climate emergency and crisis of biodiversity loss show that the human – nature relationship is failing. People will be more supportive of the big changes needed for a sustainable future if they are more connected to nature and feel that nature matters to them. Being outdoors, in relationship with nature can soften our collective tread on the earth.
We protect what we love
Lesley
Lesley holds an MSc in Executive Coaching from Ashridge Business school and she has 16 years commercial experience with Mars. She is also an EMCC accredited Senior practitioner. Read More >
She is the author of ‘Coaching Outdoors; the essential guide to partnering with nature in your coaching conversations’.
Contact by calling +44 (0) 7799 581792 or email info@coachingoutdoors.com.