Two years ago I did not know I had a chronic disease. It turned out that I had several. Systemic Lupus, Raynaud’s, and Sjogrens are my new chronic disease family.

Two years ago I lived in the City of Burlington, Ontario, Canada. This a city between Toronto and Hamilton. Burlington was home for my two boys and me. We lived in huge modern suburban “mansion”, as we first called it when we moved in.

After the divorce ten years earlier, I wanted to keep this family home for the boys. For our stability. And it was our refuge. We liked it — a lot.

Working More

Keeping the big mortgage, meant working more.

I added sessional a professor of nursing position to my full time nursing administration position.

I Hated My Work

I hated my (more than) full time nursing administration position. I hated my boss.

I hated getting in my car to get there. Getting in my car signalled the beginning of my day of sitting in meetings.

After these meetings, I got most of the team’s work. I sat at my computer and worked late into the evenings.

The hospital parking lot was usually empty by the time I left work. My legs spasmed in pain and seized. Some days I struggled to walk back to my car.

I Loved Going to The Gym

After work, I drove straight to the Goodlife gym. I had to hang on to the railings to get up the stairs.

Once I got there and started moving, I got better. The gym was my lifeline. When I moved, I felt better. The pain went away.

When I got home I fell into bed.

The kids helped themselves to leftovers. I cooked in batches on the weekends. They were looking after themselves. We were in survival mode.

Every morning I wanted to drive by my highway exit to work.

Looking Back At My City Life 

Now that I look back on my old life there I see I lived a limited life.

I was tired all of the time.

I worked, went to my Goodlife gym, and slept.

Sometimes I wished I would not wake up. Ever.

I backed out of doing things because I was so completely depleted.

Did Not Realize That I Had Options

I did not realize that I had an option to move to where life would be easier.

I knew what it was like in my small hometown in “the bush” as we call the forests. I yearned for this.

But I needed to stay in the city for my kids and for my career. I wanted to stay close to my friends.

My Small Hometown

My sisters and I still had our family home in small town Manitoba. We kept it after our mom went into the nursing home with dementia. We had a comfortable place to stay while visiting her. And we loved the house.

After her death, none of us felt we could leave our respective the cities. Our lives, work, friends, and families were there. We could not part with the house — with the memories.

Once in my hometown of Pine Falls, I often thought “I am happy here.” I knew that.

Many things made me resist the thought of moving to the country.

My Fears of Losing My City Life

I had fears of losing my city life. I did not want to give up our suburban home. Although the boys were in now away at unversity, they came back often to our safe haven.

Finally after 10 years on my own found a new man. An angel of a man. I spent 10 years on online dating sites to find this guy. How could I leave him?

I would miss my closest friends.

Not Listening to What My Body Needed

I was not listening to what my body needed. I was focused on making money and home for the kids.

I had no idea what my body was telling me. I needed a slower life. An easier life.

Why I Moved From The City To The Country

Despite my anxiety about moving, many things propelled me to ditch my city life.

My kids were finishing unversity and moving to Toronto. The house felt too big and empty without them.

I needed to work less and have a better life.

First I Retooled 

I knew I needed a place where I could live a  better life for less money. I needed to work less.

I was no longer interested in a sitting career. I was no longer interested in a hospital administration career.

I retooled to go back to bedside nursing. At least I could move in that job. My joints and legs would not cease. The would be less pain. The fatigue would still be there, but still.

The Moment I Knew I Had To Do it

The moment when my sister said “you could work in the hospital in Pine Falls and go home to sleep in your lunch break.”

The house is right beside the hospital.

That sealed it for me. I knew to survive work, I needed to a place to sleep at intervals during the day.

I did not know I had a chronic disease at this time.

I decided to sell our suburban home and move back to my hometown.

Shortly after this decision I was finally diagnosed with my chronic diseases.

Where I Live Now

The house I live in now is the one I grew up in. Green surrounds me.

Our house that backs on to the edge of the boreal forest or “the bush” as we call it here in the North. I live a 10 minute walk to the Winnipeg River.

I can move with ease. My mind untangles the minute I step outside. My heart soars when I am among the trees.

Why Trees Will Save You in the City or In The Country 

I now know the reasons why. I now study and share the science of spending time close to trees. I see trees with new eyes. I have a website called TreesMendUs to share the science.

I write science backed articles that show that the air that floats down from the tree tops is more powerful than any medicine.  (Allthough I do take my Plaquenil because it helps too).

Tree aerosols are loaded with antinflammatories. Tree aerosols are immune system regulators. Trees change my mindset — effortlessly. Tree aerosols will make me live longer. Tree aerosols make me happier and healthier.

I have a new perspective on life. This is where I need to be.

City Trees Work Too 

Now that I have done the research I see that I did not need to move to the country to be saved. I just needed to get outside more often to the trees wherever I could find them.

City trees work even harder. So they give off even more tree aerosols. So whether you are in the city or the country, step outside, and take a deep breath. Your body and mind will thank you.

Culture Shock

To be honest with you though, my move to this small hometown has been a bit of a culture shock. It has taken me two years to adjust. (I am sharing my journey in an ebook soon.)

Equipping For The Outdoors

On the trails, I have to equip myself. I moved to a place where black bears and wolves live. I now walk, often alone in their territory. There are sometimes packs of wild dogs in the bush. I carry an airhorn like this.

It is simple and free to refill. I use a bicycle pump to fill it up.

For Canadians: Amazon.ca link

For Americans at Amazon.com

There are also hunters around here. I want to be seen. So I wear this reflective vest. I wear it when I walk around town too. It helps drivers to see me in the early mornings or at dusk.

For Americans the best seller at Amazon.com

For Canadians at Amazon.ca

Drink in the wild tree air wherever you are — city or country.

Until next time, please say it with me “Healthy Tree, Healthy Me”

Verla