Sensory Rest with Amy Downham.
Artifical lights, sounds and being constantly available can lead to sensory fatigue. I interviewed Amy Downham to talk all things nature as a way to soothe the senses.
Alerts and notifications and pings and alerts. TVs, smartphones, radio news bulletins. Artificial light. Streaming services and on-demand. Sensory overload can be dysregulating for the nervous system, sending the body into a state of hyperarousal or, through the yogic lens, a rajasic state. If we’re not intentionally moving into a place of regulation, or sattva, we can get stuck in a chronic state of dysregulation and the ‘window of tolerance’ diminishes.
Today, we’re exploring sensory rest with a truly inspiring guest.
Complete sensory quiet is impossible but, to rest, you can consciouly choose your inputs. What is nourishing for the senses for you? The smell of home-baking? Reading a good book? A walk in nature? Research often points to the natural world as the route to regulate our frazzled nerves.
I’m delighted today to welcome my beautiful friend Amy Downham to share some wisdom on how nature connection can offer sensory rest. More than that though, her inspiring story shows how nature connection gave her strength during a cancer diagnosis and has now become a way of life and a gift she shares with others.
As I was writing this little intro, beautiful words from Ram Dass set to music by East Forest began to play - it’s glorious and perfectly reflects Amy’s inspiring words. Have a listen here while you enjoy this interview with the incredible Amy.
Hi Amy. Tell us a little bit about wonderful you.
I’m Amy. Mum. Wife. Teacher. Nature Lover. Mindful Moment Maker. Breast Cancer Survivor. Life Thriver.
What does ‘rest’ mean to you? What is your relationship to rest?
Rest to me is slowing down. It’s having time to reflect, to savour moments, to be fully present, peaceful and mindful of the wonders of life. Rest is the ultimate way I fill my cup to ensure I am the best I can be in all of my roles in life.
That’s not to say there’s not that inner self-talk when I choose to rest. I can feel guilty, lazy, unworthy, useless. But I rest and replenish and ignore the self-talk - I always feel on top of the world after, sometimes literally! The self-talk is something I am working on.
Tell us a bit about nature connection and the outdoors as a space of sensory rest.
I call it nurture through nature.
Taking opportunities to rest is essential for me coping with the fast pace of life. As a mum and wife I have a big association that, when I’m at home, I need to be busy. I struggle to rest when I know there are things to be done which is why my rest takes place outside, in nature. In the outdoors I can feel fully grounded and have the most precious moments of peace.
I have always loved the outdoors but it is only in the last few years I have grown to mindfully ADORE nature. I don’t know whether it was becoming a mum or it was after my cancer diagnosis but shifts took place and I now know it is the support from Mother Nature that truly gives me moments of pure sanctuary and freedom.
What are the benefits of the practice? What do you want people to know about this practice?
Nature to me is about being able to breathe a little deeper. Fresh air really is the best tonic. I believe it should be the key prescription to helping everyone’s mind, body and spirit.
Breaking it down - the mind is key to being able to cope. Nature has the ability to improve your mood, reduce stress and helps you connect to your thoughts and feelings. Being outside can simply be about having a break to nourish your mind and take in the beauty of what is around us.
The body can be transformed with the effects of nature. My joy is exercising outside - whether that be a run round the block, a walk through the woods, a scramble up a peak, a swim in the lake or a bike ride around the lanes.
I find nothing more spiritual for me than having the ground beneath my feet, thinking of all the crystals that lie below me and the expanse of the universe above me. I feel so tiny but yet so big. The sky fascinates me. I love taking in moody, cloudy skies, sunsets and at night the beauty of Mamma Moon and the stars give me the support I crave and fill me with energy.
I believe everyone can take what they need from nature and, if we truly appreciate what we have around us in the outdoors, we are giving back the love to our beautiful planet.
How did you discover this practice?
Five years ago I lived a relatively care-free life with my husband, with work and adventure as my joy. The first life-changing part of my journey was that I became a mum. I felt a huge responsibility to my little boy and I loved it. I gave up rest and my priority was my precious baby. Becoming a mum was incredible and I loved going to many baby groups. There was one group which became the highlight of my week - an outdoor exercise baby group. Every week I met with a group of mums, in nature, to exercise, connect and breathe. My baby boy slept so well being outside and it felt like Mother Earth gave me the rest and solace that I needed in the form of exercise.
An unexpected diagnosis of breast cancer when my baby was 10 months old led me to see the world as I had never seen it before. I read about mindfulness and it blew my mind. I woke up to my life, I appreciated everything I saw, did, smelt, ate. I faced my battle and came out the other side with a new found love and respect for everything. I leant into my intuition and the needs of my body for rest. The need to get my life back on track and live after cancer connected me back to nature.
I began to fill my life with nourishing activities that would support my mind, body and spirit and this lead me to cold water therapy. The need to be fully immersed in water was something I craved during treatment and something I couldn’t do due to the picc line (a type of catheter) in my arm. My love for outdoor dipping and swimming in rivers and lakes has developed giving me the feeling of pure presence and freedom and it reminds me that I am so thankful to be alive.
I am even more of a ‘yes’ person now as I feel I’ve got a second chance at life. That includes saying yes to new outdoor activities - I have recently tried climbing, wake surfing and I have recently completed my first triathlon.
I really do think though that it’s the simple activities that matter most to me. During the lockdowns I loved going for walks. This has continued into hikes and scrambles with my husband and, everytime we go adventuring, I literally see hearts in nature - everywhere. I feel that this is a sign from Mother Earth and the Universe showing me they’ve got my back and are always there supporting me.
What value does this bring you personally?
My reconnection to nature has literally been a saviour and has helped me immensely in my journey over the last few year. My love for the outdoors continues to support me on a daily basis.
As a school teacher I have recently introduced the children in my school to tree hugging and leaf breathing as a way to connect with nature in its simplest form. Seeing the calm that comes over them when they are fully present in nature is incredible.
As a mum I see the value of helping my son learn about the world in which he lives and this leads us to our adventures from running, paddling in the lakes or hunting for creatures in the woodland.
I share my experiences of connecting to nature and the support it has given me as I hope that I can go on to inspire others.
What is possible when women take time to rest?
As women we need to make time for rest and find a form of rest that fills you with joy. For me, of course, that is being in nature with the earth beneath my feet - the most grounded and supported I can physically, emotionally and spiritually feel.
Nature is constant and always there. It won’t let us down. We are all looking at the same moon in the same sky and standing on the same earth.
Each season has its own gifts to share and it’s a case of us noticing each little bud, leaf, flower, raindrop, snowflake and star.
Our life is like the seasons - an ever-changing journey.
As women we have support all around us - from Mother Earth below us to ground and support us. And Mamma Moon above us giving us light, strength and power. We are never alone. It’s just tuning into the support around us in times of need.
What would be your version of perfect rest?
Perfect rest for me would be in the middle of a beautifully-still lake on a sunny day with the blue sky reflecting on the water. Or being in a trickling stream surrounded by mountains. Or sat on the top of a peak with the sky in reach and the wonderful expansive world below. Or simply with my arms around a tree in a woodland feeling true connection to nature.
How can people put this into practice today in a micro moment of rest?
Head into the outdoors and take a moment to appreciate what’s around you. In this short video, I’ll show you a couple of my favourite mindful exercises to connect to the wonder of nature. I’d love to know how you feel after giving these a try!
If anyone would like to reach out and head for a dip in a river or lake then get in touch and let’s go and feel fully liberated and free.
PRACTISE WITH AMY: You can access a 5-minute mini-vlog and teaching from Amy where she shares her simple but powerful practices to heal in nature. Watch to the end - I’m sure you’ll fall in love with her too! Watch HERE
You can follow Amy’s inspiring adventures over at Can Do Amything on Instagram. She often invites community to share the experience with her in and around the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. Follow Amy.
Comment below with your favourite place to experience ‘sensory rest’. Let’s share some hidden gems!