Why connect to the “spirit of place”? It has benefits for you, your community, and the natural world. We’ll explore what it means, why we are disconnected, and how to nurture that connection.

What is Spirit of Place?

Before we speak about how to connect to the spirit of place, and why it is important, let’s define what it means. The best definition of spirit of place that I found is:

“Spirit of place is defined as the tangible (buildings, sites, landscapes, routes, objects) and the intangible elements (memories, narratives,  written documents, rituals, festivals, traditional knowledge, values, textures, colors, odors, etc.), that is to say the physical and the spiritual elements that give meaning, value, emotion and mystery to place.”

ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites)

So, the spirit of place includes both the physical, tangible aspects of a place as well as those that are less tangible- its history, energy; the way it affects our bodies, emotions, and souls. I would add that it includes both those aspects that we would consider natural and those that are human-related.

Why is connecting to the spirit of place important?

Connection is good for you

Perhaps the most compelling reason to connect to the spirit of place is that it is good for us. It offers a feeling of groundedness, as well as a sense of connection to those around us (both human and non-human). While I don’t know of any scientific studies specifically related to being connected to the spirit of place, there are studies on the benefits of a sense of being grounded in nature and socially connected.

We Are a Disconnected People

Americans are becoming lonelier. Between 1980 and 2016 the percentage of Americans reporting they’re lonely doubled from 20% to 40%. Lack of social connection is linked to disrupted sleep, lower immune function, more inflammation, and higher stress hormones. One recent study found that isolation increases the risk of heart disease by 29 percent and stroke by 32 percent. (https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/22/upshot/how-social-isolation-is-killing-us.html).

For various reasons, including rising dependence on technology and an increasingly hostile political climate, Americans are becoming less connected to their communities. From 2012 to 2022 the number of Americans that reported speaking frequently to their neighbors fell from 67% to 50%.(https://www.americandreamprosperity.com/insights/disconnected-community-hinders-prosperity). And 4 in 10 Americans don’t feel attached to their communities (https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2018/05/22/americans-satisfaction-with-and-attachment-to-their-communities/). Lack of connection is bad for our physical and emotional health, and it a bigger problem than ever.

Greater disconnection from Nature

Along with greater disconnection from community, Americans are becoming more disconnected from nature over time. And we are suffering because of it. Studies have found a correlation between time spent in nature and increased physical, cognitive, and emotional health and well-being. A greater sense of connectedness with nature is even linked to a greater sense of purpose (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10902-019-00118-6).

And if either choice or circumstance limits your social connectedness, connection with nature is linked with feeling more connected to friends and community. (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0013916512451901)

Connection is good for your community and the earth

One study found that a 10 percent increase in the number of people in an area who say they feel connected to others was associated with an 8 percent drop in all-cause mortality. Communities with more social cohesion have better experiences during natural disasters (in part because of better preparation) and see less violence. (https://www.vox.com/policy/2023/5/3/23707936/surgeon-general-loneliness-epidemic-report)

Another reason that connecting to the spirit of place is important is that many environmental activists and authors assert that we will never truly care for and protect the earth until we feel connected to it. Moreso, while it is admirable to help protect far-away rainforests or other places, we have infinitely more opportunities to benefit the region in which we live and work.

Why are Americans So Disconnected from Spirit of Place?

Our Lifestyles

Well, then the solution seems simple: reconnect to the place you live now. Simple, in theory, but not always in practice. There are several obstacles. The most obvious is our indoor, tech-centered lifestyle. Even those of us that are fortunate to have outside space rarely are truly present to it, even when we are in it. Perhaps we enjoy our morning coffee on the deck or patio. But we are likely to only notice the occasional songbird or especially spectacular sky while we scroll through social media, or maybe our mental to-do list.

Being present to nature sounds easy. If you think so, try it. Go to an outdoor space, whether on your property, at a public park, or beach. Then sit for 20 minutes, simply being fully present to nature. If you’re anything like me you will find it difficult to last 20 minutes on your first try. Even after years of practice, I still can find it challenging. But it is worth the effort.

Our Lack of Historical Connection

I recently read “If Women Rose Rooted” by a Celtic author, Sharon Blackie. While I loved every word of it, at times I found myself feeling sad that I didn’t have the kind of historical and mythological connection to the land where I live that Sharon spoke of. My parents moved to this general area only 50 years ago. And as far as having a sense of the spirit of this land based on age-old myths, I have no such connection. Connecting to a land where only a few (or maybe none) of our ancestors lived is more difficult. I can’t help but wonder if this disconnection from the earth is why although the US contains far less than one-fourth of the world’s population, we produce one-fourth of its pollution.

Without the benefit of a legacy of connection to this place I must establish my own, but how? This is especially difficult for Americans. I believe the majority of us, who don’t live lives closely connected to nature carry sub-conscious (or generational) trauma over it. Out of necessity, our ancestors had to forego their connection to the earth in the name of survival. Both financial survival and emotional survival of starting over in a new country an ocean away from not only their families, but their ancestors’ land, and the land they knew required it.

And whether your ancestors immigrated recently, or centuries ago, chances are at some point in the last century they had to flee the declining opportunities in rural life and move to suburban or urban areas, looking for jobs to support them. They had to forego connection to the land in the name of survival, now our wellbeing will be improved by reconnecting.

Becoming reconnected to the spirit of place

Spend time outside

Like any relationship, your relationship with nature cannot develop or flourish without an investment of time. Try to work outdoor time into your daily routine. Whether it be your morning cup of coffee, a lunchtime walk, or a few minutes gazing at the sky before bed, incorporating outside time into your routine is the first step to connecting with place. If the weather is unpleasant, you may want to try some of the tips explored in “Connecting to Nature During Winter”.

Practice being fully present while outdoors

As I mentioned before, it is very possible to be outside without being present to the place you are. Try leaving your phone inside, or at least in your pocket. Practicing mindfulness can also help you to get out of your thoughts and emotions and be fully present.

Notice what is available to your five senses. What can you see, or hear? What else, what else? Also, notice how your body feels. What catches your attention, what catches it next? When you notice yourself drifting into thought, bring yourself back to the present moment without judgment.

Observe local natural cycles

We are all somewhat aware of the seasonal changes where we live. But there are many intricacies in the seasons, and other changes that are just waiting to be discovered. As you begin to spend time outside on a consistent basis you will begin to notice when the trees begin to bud, when the dandelions wane, and when the morning dew dissipates earlier. Our ancestors were intimately familiar with these subtle kinds of changes. Becoming aware of them is like learning all the little things about a new love interest.

Interact with other beings

While there is a value to observing nature, there is also a value in interacting with it. If you thought you had a relationship with a person just by watching and listening to them, but never interacting, your delusion would quickly be pointed out. In order to have a relationship with your place, you need to do more than observe.

Starting a garden is one of the best ways to do this. If you have private outdoor space or access to a community garden. If not there are still other options. You can greet the tree visible from your window every morning, spend time under a tree at a local park, and ask (out loud or silently) to get to know it and how you can help it.

This may sound silly to our ultra-logical, human-centric minds, but having conversations with the beings you encounter is another way to interact with the spirit of place. Studies have shown that plants thrive more when humans talk to them, and I have found I thrive more when I talk to them, too.

Connect with the Spirit of Place by Connecting to the Human Side

Connecting with the people in your community will also foster a connection. Explore some local businesses or public spaces. Learn the name of the clerk at the store or gas station you frequent. Say hello to your neighbors, or find a way to be of service to your community.

In Conclusion

Being connected to a sense of place will offer the benefits of a sense of groundedness, a feeling of belonging, and well-being. Although the collective history and culture of America create challenges to this connection, by establishing and strengthening our relationship to the land and its inhabitants (both human and non-human), we can foster this valuable asset.