Struggling with Self-Doubt? How Nature Can Help You Shift Your Mindset 🌳🧠
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“Am I good enough?
Why should I succeed?
Do I deserve to live my dreams?”
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From the song, “Enough. Worthy. Deserving.” by Suzan Alakas
Hey lovely! 😊 If you’ve ever hit that moment of doubt as a woman entrepreneur - whether it’s before pressing "post" on a social media update, wondering if you’ll ever make consistent income, or feeling like you’re not good enough to present that pitch - you’re not alone.
✨ Let’s dive into 3 NATURAL strategies to shift your mindset that you can try today! ✨
• Originally written: 12 September 2024
• Last updated: 12 September 2024
• Written by: Suzan Alakas
Suzan is Growtharmony’s Founder and Editor-In-Chief. She is passionate about spreading the amazing work and inspiring stories of heart-centered women entrepreneurs working to make the world a better place. When Suzan’s not writing, finding leverage points or learning something new - you can find her in the garden, playing in the snow with her family, or in the kitchen cooking up a nourishing meal!
Self-doubt is normal, but it can really hold us back from growing personally, and in our businesses.
What if you could tap into nature’s power to help calm your nerves and reframe your mindset?
Ok, so you might be thinking:
How is NATURE going to help me hit "publish" on that blog post? 🤔
Or get through my presentation without feeling like an IMPOSTER? 🤔
Here’s the thing - self-doubt isn’t just mental; it’s also physiological. And NATURE can give your physiology the boost it needs to break free of those "What if I fail?" thoughts in your head! 🌳💪
How SELF-DOUBT Affects Us
What’s happening in our brains when we doubt ourselves?
When you’re sitting there, second-guessing your decisions (whether it’s choosing software for your business or thinking you should just quit entrepreneurship entirely!) your brain’s amygdala kicks into high gear. 🧠
This is the part of your brain responsible for fight or flight responses. It’s like your brain is telling you that this new task (sending out that email campaign, for example) is a life-or-death situation. YIKES!
Nature's Secret POWER
Here’s where nature comes in! ✨
Studies have shown that spending 20 minutes in a natural environment (even just walking in a local park) can calm that stress response and reduce amygdala activity.
That’s amazing news, because after connecting with nature, you’ll feel more grounded, confident, and ready to take on those tasks that had you frozen in doubt.
According to a University of Michigan study, nature can even improve cognitive function by 20%, helping you think clearly and make decisions without being bogged down by fear. That means you’ll be better equipped to finally finish that PowerPoint presentation you’ve been dreading, or select the right business tools with ease! 😎
3 Nature-Based Strategies to Overcome Self-Doubt
1. Grounding / Earthing
If you're someone who:
feels overwhelmed by a never-ending to-do list
is constantly questioning if you’re doing enough
then grounding can help you re-center!
⭐️ HOW TO DO GROUNDING / EARTHING:
Take a break, step outside, and plant your bare feet on the earth. It’s as simple as that! 🤩
Whether it’s in the grass, by a tree, or on a sandy beach, grounding has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, aka the stress hormone. 🌳✨
As the earth's energy flows through your body, it helps calm your nervous system and clear your mind. This can be especially helpful before tackling something big - like that overdue project or launching your latest social media campaign!
👉 Tip for Overwhelmed Mom Entrepreneurs:
If you're juggling multiple responsibilities like business and family, this practice can give you the mental clarity and emotional reset you need to balance both.
2. Forest Bathing
If you're the type of entrepreneur who tends to overthink…
Should I post this?
What if no one likes it?
then forest bathing might be your new best friend! 🌳🌲🌴
⭐️ HOW TO DO FOREST BATHING:
Go to a park, a wooded area, or even your backyard if it has trees.
The best part is you don’t have to DO anything specific, but rather, you can just BE.
Being surrounded by trees has been proven to reduce blood pressure and increase positive emotions, according to the book FOREST BATHING: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness by Dr. Qing Li, highlighted in this TIME Magazine article.
Think of it as a way to hit “refresh” on your mental state, clearing the self-doubt and opening up space for confidence to flow in.
👉 Tip for Creatives:
If you're feeling stuck in writer’s block or design indecision, a forest bath can help bring clarity and boost creativity!
3. Visualization
If you're someone who loves to visualize your future but feels blocked by self-doubt when it's time to take action, visualization can help you step into your future self with nature’s support.
⭐️ HOW TO VISUALIZE WITH NATURE:
Find a quiet, peaceful natural setting like your backyard or a nearby garden, and close your eyes.
Imagine your future self achieving a goal you currently have - like confidently running a thriving business.
What are you wearing?
What are you doing?
Now, imagine nature surrounding you - trees, mountains, or even the ocean - supporting your journey and helping you grow. ✨🌱
After this visualization, write down your thoughts.
The act of envisioning yourself in a supportive natural environment has been shown to increase resilience and confidence, according to the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley.
👉 Tip for Owners, CEOs and Visionaries:
If you’re a visionary or big-picture thinker, this practice helps you connect your internal goals with your external environment.
In SUMMARY
Your brain jumps into fight or flight mode when you experience self doubt, and nature offers wonderful solutions to calm your nervous system and get back on track!
You can try:
Grounding before hitting “send” on a tough email.
Forest Bathing when you're feeling stuck in a creative rut.
Visualization during your morning walk to boost confidence and gain clarity.
As simple as it seems, the more time you spend in nature, the easier it becomes to shift from:
"I don’t know if I can do this…"
to
"I am capable and growing every day!"
So if any or all of these resonate, give them a try today! Even a few minutes is proven to help!
Happy connecting with nature! 😊
Here are even more ways to leverage nature’s power to reduce stress and increase productivity!
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