If someone had told me I would be the type of person to explore the mountains on snowshoes in rural Japan, I would have laughed. But there I was, my boots dragging through the soft layers of snow, being led by a local guide in the Hokkaido region to walk around Lake Mashu and enjoy the majestic scenery. Despite the cold, I couldn’t get over the serene beauty of the landscape, which seemed unreal at times. It was a peaceful feeling to be surrounded by the sounds of nature and to enjoy the moment.

I would never describe myself as a “nature person.” In fact, I was the exact opposite. As a city kid, my idea of ​​nature was a stroll through Central Park. I guess you could say I was the typical New Yorker, more comfortable around concrete than greenery. But my travels have shaped me into someone who appreciates nature and revels in wonder. I felt a euphoric sense of peace I didn’t know existed while hiking through a misty rainforest to discover hidden waterfalls in Costa Rica, snowboarding in Aspen, kayaking with a Maori guide in New Zealand, snorkeling next to a pod of dolphins off the coast of Kenya, and reaching the top of a wondrous hill in Greenland for the perfect view of moving icebergs.

I’ve suffered from crippling anxiety and depression since I was a teenager. My newfound love of hiking, running, and being outdoors has healed me in many ways. But I’m not the only one who feels that sense of calm. Being surrounded by nature is powerful, and it can do wonders for your health. Physically, being in nature has been shown to help lower blood pressure, increase vitamin D intake, and even improve breathing. According to the American Psychological Association, being in nature can also help with cognitive issues like concentration, facilitate better sleep, and reduce stress levels—something many Black women struggle with.

Through our lived experiences dealing with racial microaggressions, in family, work, and finances, we often find that stress plays a large role in our lives and impacts both our physical and mental health. Black women process stress differently than their white counterparts due to factors such as racial discrimination, including in the healthcare system, microaggressions that can occur in the workplace, and our need for strength and resilience during difficult times.

But even in nature, we have to come to terms with the fact that we are often not there. Black faces are rarely seen in advertisements for outdoor activities – but our numbers are growing, whether hiking, running, camping or even snowboarding. According to the Outdoor Foundation, the participation rate of Black people in outdoor recreational activities increased by more than five percent to 40.7% in 2022. Traditionally white spaces like campgrounds have also seen growth in this sector as more Black people take camping trips and try RV travel.

While there’s been little growth in this sector when it comes to inclusivity in nature, it hasn’t erased the past of hostility and racism. Historically, we’ve often felt unwelcome in these spaces. We’re harassed while walking and fishing in our neighborhoods. Even our national parks must confront their histories of racism. That’s why communities designed for Black women are so important. When Angela Mitchell and Ivory Levert (pictured at the top of the page) founded Black Women in Nature in their hometown of Columbus, Ohio, their goal was to create a safe space for other Black women to find peace of mind amid the spread of COVID-19.

“While people around the world were impacted by the pandemic, Black and brown communities were disproportionately suffering stress, COVID-19-related deaths, hospitalizations, and health issues due to pre-existing structural and social inequalities,” Mitchell tells ESSENCE. “To make matters worse, Black people experienced what we like to call a ‘double pandemic’ due to the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery that occurred this year.”

Through their group, the two encourage other black women in their area to try outdoor activities such as hiking, reflective dialogue, and yoga and meditation.

“Systems of racism and environmental injustice have limited Black people’s access to green spaces and broken our ancestral connection to nature,” says Levert. “Black people have always been connected to nature. We are simply helping Black women reconnect with our roots and find healing in ways that have always been available to us.”

Levert, who is trained as a yoga and meditation teacher, took a liking to Mitchell, who shared fond memories of spending time outdoors in Anchorage, Alaska. Both wanted to show that the stillness of nature can help us process difficult emotions during difficult times. Mitchell experienced this when her older brother passed away from Lou Gehrig’s disease at age 39. This fueled her desire to create a community where black women could have the chance for the same kind of healing.

“Nature has given me a peace that surpasses all understanding,” Mitchell says. “I believe being outdoors is a privilege that many of us take for granted.”

So next time you need a break, put your phone away and take a walk in a nearby park, or visit a destination surrounded by natural wonders on your next trip. Instead of a city tour, don’t be afraid to venture out into the suburbs and go for a hike to enjoy the beautiful nature around you. I promise, it will be worth it.