Playful nature connection…
In 2015, I began my final year of a science degree. I had just increased my study load to full time and felt like I was gaining momentum. Our daughter was enjoying her education. Everything seemed steady. Hopeful.
But before the end of February, the world I knew unravelled.
My beautiful home.
The partner I shared it with.
Familiar routines.
Beloved pets.
Everything I had poured my heart into for 15 years — I had to leave behind. The months that followed were a desperate scramble for:
• Financial stability
• A place to live
• Preserving some sense of normality for myself and a bewildered child
The three years that followed were the hardest of my life.
An Unexpected Gift
During that difficult time, something else happened — something we both still remember with smiles.
At university, I had enrolled in a course on insect evolution and diversity. One assignment required us to:
• Capture insects
• Preserve them
• Identify them
• Label and present a collection
We both loved spending time out in nature, so the project seemed perfect for a joint activity with my daughter. She has always had a keen eye for spotting creatures — no matter how well camouflaged — so she became my field assistant.
We made a game of it.
We laughed.
We searched carefully.
We felt enticed by discovery.
The whole experience was deeply satisfying. Only much later did I realise just how valuable that simple activity had been for our mental health.
Why Playful Nature Connection Heals
Playful nature connection is powerful for wellbeing. Several key ingredients make play especially effective — and our insect collecting had all of them.
1. The Right Level of Challenge
Not too hard. Not too easy.
We had to stay alert. Insects are easily missed if you aren’t attentive to your surroundings. It required focus and engagement.
2. Novelty and Lack of Mastery
We had never done this before.
There was mystery. Curiosity. The question: What might we find?
3. Clear Purpose
We were working toward a defined goal — a completed collection. Purpose creates satisfaction.
4. Autonomy
It was up to us:
• When we searched
• Where we searched
• How we approached the task
• How the final collection would be displayed
Freedom matters. Especially during times when so much feels out of your control.
What Happens in the Brain
Experiences like this stimulate brain cells to form new networks of positive connections.
Over time, these networks:
• Boost creativity
• Strengthen problem-solving
• Increase empathy
• Help buffer the negative impacts of chronic stress
Playful, purposeful engagement in nature doesn’t just feel good in the moment — it reshapes the brain in constructive ways.
Why I Now Teach This
Playful nature connection is a powerful strategy to have at your fingertips in a world beset with challenges and uncertainty. I know that first hand.
My workshops apply the knowledge and experience I've gained in sharing this strategy.
These hands-on events are currently available across:
• Adelaide, South Australia
• The Adelaide Hills
• The Fleurieu Peninsula
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to share the healing power of playful nature connection with others. So many people are living in survival mode right now, and it’s the small, playful acts of connecting with nature that can help us heal and rebuild.