By Caleb Knight
“Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.” – Gary Snyder
Americans spend an alarmingly large portion of every day indoors, often staring at a screen. Research suggests that the average adult spends approximately seven hours each day looking at a mobile device, computer or television. Unfortunately, this means many adults spend nearly half their waking hours looking at a screen. Children fare worse on average, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that children spend between six and nine hours daily staring at tablets and televisions.
The health consequences are frightening, too. Several studies have indicated a strong correlation between screen time and anxiety, depression, poor sleep patterns, obesity and behavioral problems.
Fortunately, reversing those consequences can be as simple as disconnecting from screen time and going outside to reconnect with nature. That is precisely what inspired longtime friends and founders Kate Reed and Valerie Hart Warner to create Wonder & Grow: Mindful Nature Experience in 2018. Its goal is to restore the human connection with nature that most adults and children are missing through focused, outdoor-oriented training programs. Both coaches are outdoor enthusiasts and are certified guides by the Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership, among other related outdoor leadership credentials, which have required an intensive study of nature-focused mindfulness.
Reed explains her vision for Wonder & Grow as reflecting her personal goal to spend less time behind a screen and more time appreciating the nature around her Elkins, WV, home.
“In today’s fast-paced world, finding solace in nature can be incredibly rejuvenating,” she says. “Whether it’s a leisurely walk in the park or a weekend getaway to the mountains, immersing oneself in the tranquility of nature can provide a much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. When we created Wonder & Grow, we wanted to create accessible mindful outdoor opportunities in our community for all ages. Everyone should feel at home in nature.”
As its website explains, an outdoor connection is essential to establishing a balanced and fulfilled life. It says, “For your body: Release stress, breathe fresh air and get moving. For your mind: Settle your awareness on nature’s soothing atmosphere. For your spirit: Venture into the woods to gain inspiration from the living earth.”
Wonder & Grow: Mindful Nature Experience is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. The nonprofit currently offers yoga, guided experiences for adults and children and private guided programs. The newest program is corporate wellness training, which the nonprofit has now offered to large and small employers and employees throughout West Virginia.
“As an expert in the field of mindfulness, I believe it is crucial to highlight the significant benefits mindfulness practices can bring to organizations,” Warner explains. “By incorporating mindfulness into the workplace, companies can enhance employee well-being, improve focus and productivity and foster a positive work culture.”
For more information about the programing available from Wonder & Grow: Mindful Nature Experience, or to read more about the founders, please visit the nonprofit’s website at wonderandgrow.org or email wonderandgrow@gmail.com.
About the Author
Caleb Knight is an outdoor enthusiast and serves on the board for Wonder & Grow: Mindful Nature Experience. He is a business and health care lawyer based in Charleston who hikes, bikes and trail runs throughout West Virginia to counterbalance his usual office environment. As a parent, he was eager to join Wonder & Grow in support of its nature-focused mission.
