Personally, I'm a water person. And even more narrowed down: A beach/ocean person.
Not the holiday kind though. You won't find me sunbathing on a busy beach very often, although it has its charm at times. For me, a walk on the beach around sunset or just before feels like heaven. Or just sitting there quietly enjoying the waves and the sun going down. The beach at night time is also very calming to me. And on the water, I'm completely in my comfort zone. But the ocean is not the only thing that makes me happy! So let's see what my favorite moments with nature were!

Water, Water, and Horses

The Beach from Aughris Head, Co. Sligo, Ireland

I started horseback riding when I was quite young. Around the age of 5 or so.
As a child, I always dreamed of owning my own pony or horse one day.
I learned riding not by going to classes in the beginning. My father always 'knew people' and this time he knew a farmer who had two ponies my sister and I could ride. There was no saddle, only a blanket. Now, I feel that's the way to learn because it makes for a natural posture, without all the bells and whistles.
Not that a whistle would be a good idea on a horse hehe.

Later, I actually did get lessons but nothing beats direct contact with the horse's back without the saddle.
My favorite experiences on horseback was when I would bring a horse out on my own and just ride in the dunes near where we lived. Only me, the horse and nature mattered. Very therapeutic I must say. All worries just disappear.

When I was in my twenties, I learned natural horsemanship, which was actually very close to what I had learned as a child. Natural horsemanship is all about mutual respect and friendship. The horse's willingness to trust the rider without any pressure or force, like whips, pieces of metal in the mouth of the horse or anything, and vice versa the rider's trust in the animal. It's amazing once you've experienced this! There's no other way for me.
Eventually, I got my own horse but that's a whole other story. Maybe one day I will tell you all about it.
One day, I hope to own a horse here in Mexico, and gallop along the coast. Till then, being on and in the water will have to do...

Photo by Pixabay

When I wasn't with horses, I used to go Windsurfing every chance I had, and later I picked up sailing as well. I had friends with the same hobby (windsurfing) and one of them actually had a car that was bought just for its ability to carry more than one surf board plus their sails. It was a Citroen DS, and those who know the car would probably call us thugs for using such a beautiful piece of art to transport surf gear. But to us, the car was a dream, and we were all jealous that our friend got to drive one. It had a sun roof, and we'd tie two boards to the roof. However, there was always some movement, so the two passengers on the outside would hold on to the boards so they wouldn't slide... Yeah, not too much safety concern in those days I guess. Nowadays we'd be arrested...

We usually wouldn't surf in the ocean because that would have been a long drive (with traffic jams even longer), so we were happy to bounce around on one of the lakes close to home.
The freedom that I felt when I was on the board can't be described. Everything else, all worries and concerns just disappeared, and all that was left was me, the board in the water and the wind. Nothing else mattered.

Later, I felt the same with sailing. Although in a different way because you're not as close to the water but still close enough.
When I lived in Singapore, I had become acquainted with a pilot who worked for British Airways. On a nice day on Sentosa Island off the Singapore coast, I met him there as he was just taking his Hobie Cat (a small catamaran) for a spin. He offered to bring me along, and I happily agreed. He then introduced me to his colleague who'd be there on and off, and I'd go with either of them whenever they were there. Not much later, they trusted me enough to go out on the boat on my own. That, to me, was absolute freedom!

My Favorite Time in Nature

As a child, I used to love camping. Or 'cramping' as we used to call it.
So it was only natural to bring my kids camping whenever the chance came up.
In Ireland, there weren't too many opportunities to camp out, so we'd go when we had a reasonably warm, dry day.

One time, in the spur of the moment, we quickly packed our stuff and drove to Easky, County Sligo, which was about 20 minutes from our house. The coastline there is part of the Wild Atlantic Way, and the name says it all. The coastal scenery is quite dramatic, and demands respect.
Swimming here, let alone boating or anything else on the water, is not for the faint of heart. The waves are rough, and riptides aren't uncommon. The area is quite popular for surfers though. It's just raw, pure wilderness.

We'd camp on the high ground, just above water level, with waves crashing down on the rocks just below us. The kids quickly found others who had the same idea, and were running around exploring while I'd get the make-shift barbeque ready for our dinner under the stars. We would go to sleep not long after the darkness had come, and I don't think I ever slept any better. With the sounds of the ocean beside us, and the wind softly moving the tent: there was really nothing topping that.

Our camping spot to the left, just above the rocks. Easly, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Conclusion

Experiences in nature don't have to be the most profound to be good for us.
In fact, I doubt if this experience actually done me much good haha, since the part where I felt fear was hardly enjoyable.
A simple walk in a forest, or in a field, time by a lake, or a stroll on the beach can be just as great. 'Grounding' by walking barefoot in the sand or soil can, in my opinion, make the difference between staying healthy and becoming depressed.
When I lived in St. Martin, I used to drive out to one particular beach that was known for its strong current and rough waves. I'd park the car, and then walk towards the beach, which was pitch black. It kind of felt like walking towards the end of the world, because it was so dark.

I'd sit down at the beach, and just listen to the waves crashing into the rocks.
Those were always moments I enjoyed immensely. Just me and the waves, and the wind.
Nothing else.
Connection with nature is important, because it brings us back to our true self, and makes us forget, even if it's just for a moment, about our daily troubles.
I believe it can even resolve some of those troubles if you let it.