Jackson Hole, Wyoming always works!
- Juli Henderson
- Aug 12
- 4 min read
Did someone say mountains, water and great friends? Yes, please!
A gracious invitation from dear friends led our family to make travel plans. I wasn’t aware I was in so much need of outdoor conversations and nature’s gift of quiet self-care. From meals shared surrounded by majestic sunsets, every detail reflected their thoughtfulness. For seven breathtaking days, nature showed off!
So, this is my encouragement to you today. Take a breath, a beat, and a few moments to get outside and find yourself again. Your experience may not look like these photos of our family trip, but I promise you nature itself can relax your caregiving heart. Spending time outside on a walk or bike ride listening to birds sing in the fresh air can offer caregivers a powerful and restorative boost. Take the time to realign yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Here's my secret … I am finally taking my own advice and soaking in the outdoors. I am learning now that caregiving doesn’t always end when a loved one passes away. Caregiving becomes part of your DNA. It shapes how you lead, love, and live for the rest of your life.
Let’s consider together a few benefits of embracing the outdoors when we are feeling overwhelmed:
Tension and Stress Reduction: Exposure to nature can lower cortisol levels and offer a calming escape from caregiving demands. (Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by your adrenal glands which plays a crucial role in your body’s response to stress.) I wish I had taken in nature’s beauty more often when I was emotionally drained during Robert’s caregiving. I believe it would have grounded me.
Clarified Focus: Beautiful natural environments can help caregivers regain concentration and mental clarity, especially when feeling overwhelmed. Just listening to birds singing in the morning can reset my entire outlook for the day. I started opening up our kitchen windows in the mornings so I can hear their diverse and melodic voices. It’s awesome!
Vitamin D Lift: Sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, which supports bone health, immune function, and mood regulation. Vitamin D deficiency is estimated to affect approximately 35% of women in the U.S., and women are more than twice as likely as men to have low levels of vitamin D. I am currently working on this aspect of my health because, Lord knows, I don’t want to be deficient!
Pain Relief: A moderate walk or bike ride can be especially relevant for caregivers recovering from physical strain. For me, even 15 minutes of movement outside, relaxes my mind and body and takes the sting out of unexpected caregiving memories that can wash over me without warning.
Reduced Isolation: When caregivers feel alone, which can be a daily occurrence for most, nature can provide a welcome companion if relatable human connection feels too vulnerable. Nature asks nothing of me other than to just listen and take in its beauty. It is a safe place to be.
Spiritual Renewal: Caregivers can gain a deeper sense of peace and purpose when immersed in nature. In Jackson Hole, I prayed one morning by myself on a beautiful backyard bench and cried as the water and the mountains reminded me of how big God is. As small as I felt in that moment, I reflected on the truth that His eye was on me (and the sparrow), and He saw all of this recovering caregiver’s needs.
Lean into these thoughts this week and let nature meet you where you are. I will be out there with you, too.
Listening Library: “His Eye is on the Sparrow” (Crystal Lewis)
His Eye is on the Sparrow
Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely
And long for heaven and home?
When Jesus is my portion
My constant friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow
I know He watches me
He watches me
Let not your heart be troubled
His tender words I hear
And resting on His goodness
I lose my doubt and fear
Though by the path He leadeth
But one step I may see
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
He's watchin' over me
Whenever I am tempted
Whenever clouds arise
When songs give way to sighing
When hope within me dies
I draw the closer to Him
From care He sets me free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me, yeah-yeah
I sing because I'm happy
Oh, yes, I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
I sing because I'm happy
Oh, yeah, I sing because I'm free, yeah-yeah
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches-
I know He watches-
I know He watches me, yeah-yeah
He watches over me
Oh, yeah
He's watchin' over me
He's watchin' over me
He's watchin' over me
He's watchin' over me
Songwriters: Bernie Herms, Charles Gabriel, Mark Hall, C.d. D. Martin
His Eye Is on the Sparrow lyrics © Wb Music Corp., G650 Music, Dinah Washington Music Publishing, Backbone Pub, Pure Note Music, Integrity's Hosanna! Music, Word Music, LLC, Songs Of Universal Inc., Wordspring Music, LLC
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