Nature helped me enormously when my psyche was at its worst. That’s why I encourage everyone who inspires outdoor living.
Technology expert and speaker
Norway is facing a serious mental health crisis.
In 2023, 693 suicides were recorded, the highest number since 1998.
These grim statistics represent the lives of people who have lost their battle against their inner demons.
This is a serious reminder that as a society we need to find new ways to support and help those who are struggling mentally.
This is why I am upset when conservative politician Anna Konstanse Alstad Almli massacres those who try to encourage people to go out into nature.
According to Almli, “the last thing nature needs is advertising from influencers.”
This one-sided and negative view of influencers neglects the positive contribution they can actually make to public health.
Two years ago, I found myself in a very dark place, where suicidal thoughts began to take over more and more.
The pandemic had gone a long way toward destroying my livelihood as a speaker.
The consolation was that many of us shared the same fate.
But when society opened up again and missions didn’t happen, I faced the biggest crisis of my life.
This time I was all alone.
I felt trapped in a downward spiral of negativity, where I felt like taking time out was the only right thing to do. That’s when nature became my salvation.
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I finally discovered how nature could help me regain a sense of control and balance.
The healing effect that nature has on us is not just a feeling.
Studies show that nature experiences reduces, among other things, stress, anxiety and depression.
Physical activity has a positive effect on the body and mind and for me, nature has become a necessary motivation.
Every trip, whether a short walk or a longer camping trip, has become an opportunity to disconnect from the noise of technology and focus on what really matters.
Through my experiences in nature, I felt a sense of mastery and a surge of happiness that I hadn’t felt in a long time, and these positive feelings carried over into other aspects of my life.
I became more resilient in the face of daily challenges, which spilled over into my environment, both privately and in my work as a speaker.
It makes me sad that politicians like Almli choose to attack influencers instead of recognizing the potential they have to make a positive difference.
Yes, it’s important to protect our vulnerable natural areas, but that shouldn’t mean we should stop encouraging people to experience nature.
Influencers have a lot of influence, and dismissing their efforts as purely commercial and harmful is an oversimplification that serves no purpose.
Instead, we should encourage them to use their influence to promote positive behaviors in nature and inspire people to take care of themselves and the environment.
Our nature plays an invaluable role in improving our mental and physical health.
At the same time, it is important to protect it.
Influencers are in a unique position to convey this message and encourage responsible use of nature.
By promoting sustainable natural experiences, we can help improve public health while preserving our precious environment.
This is much more constructive and important than the condescending attitude displayed by conservative politician Anna Konstanse Alstad Almli.
Hans-Petter’s appeals to outdoor influencers:
1. Promote the surroundings: Encourage short-distance nature experiences and locations that can withstand heavy traffic. Not everything has to be a “bucket list” in national parks.
2. Sustainable outdoor living: Spread knowledge about how to travel in nature while preserving it. This includes principles such as taking trash home, avoiding creating new trails, and respecting wildlife.
3. Share personal, real-life experiences in nature: Be open about how nature has helped you personally, both mentally and physically. This can create a more authentic connection that can inspire others to seek the same benefits without having to visit the most vulnerable places. Focus more on experiencing nature itself than on yourself.
4. Promote better digital balance: Get inspired to experience our wonderful nature without digital distractions. A mobile phone in airplane mode will be able to offer deeper and more meaningful experiences.
5. Advertisements for lesser-known gems: Highlight hidden gems and lesser-known travel destinations that can offer equally wonderful experiences without contributing to over-tourism. It can also contribute to a more even distribution of tourism, which is better for the environment.
