Natural Healing

CONNOR MORIARTY Inspiration often strikes without warning, bringing life-changing ideas swiftly into crystal clear perspective. For therapists Connor Moriarty and Joshua McSparin, inspiration for their meditative outdoor adventures struck one beautiful day while kayaking on Lake Nockamixon. It was that day the two friends conceptually founded Reset Outdoors.

“I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors,” says Moriarty. “I grew up camping and paddling and all the stuff you do when you live in the middle of nowhere. Once I stumbled into counseling as my chosen profession, I decided to pursue a focus in trauma, which is a particularly intense specialty in the world of psychotherapy and mental health.”

As a result, after about five years of working in intense public agencies, Moriarty found himself pretty close to burning out. “Josh and I were sitting on our kayaks, and I forget which one of us asked why we couldn’t do this with our clients,” he recalls. “So we started doing research and, as luck would have it, there’s a growing body of work drawing clear links to the outdoors and mental well-being.” and McSparin put in close to a year’s worth of research and development, surveying literature on similar approaches across the world to help them find a strong theoretical foundation for doing what they do.

“Psychology is a little less concrete than medicine, but you still need a good body of research before anyone adopts something as an intervention,” says Moriarty. “We did our homework, and the evidence was strong. Physicians and psychiatrists will regularly prescribe time outdoors—simple walks in green space, and preferably, if you have access to it, trees and water.”

HOW IT WORKS

As part of its unique counseling option, Reset Outdoors offers a plethora of low-impact outdoor activities, including trail walking, hiking, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, biking, geocaching, yoga, snowshoeing, and team-building activities—each of which is lead by a counselor who helps maximize the positive benefits of these restorative outdoor experiences. Soon, rock climbing, river paddling, and multi-sport excursions will join the list.

The key idea behind Reset Outdoors is what Moriarty calls “active mindfulness”—letting your senses wander and seeing what you notice. His company’s individual counseling sessions, group counseling sessions, and team-building exercises all rely on this simple idea. The positive results of mindfulness and spending time outdoors are cumulative and just take a little practice to be perfect, he says.

“You really just need 20 minutes a day... maybe you get out for a walk at lunch, or on the weekend for an hour, hour and a half,” he says. “Those results immediately start

We work with anybody who wants to re-establish the balance in their life and improve well-being.

impacting your brain. You reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Your heart rate drops. Do that with some regularity, and those results last for upwards of three months. It’s not a magical fix, but if you are able to keep those stress levels down for a good amount of time, the positive benefits are tremendous.”

Moriarty is the principal full-time counselor and co-director of Reset Outdoors, and McSparin, also a codirector, practices as a consultant. Both are certified kayak and stand up paddle board instructors. Moriarty’s wife Emily will be licensed to practice with Reset Outdoors as well. Her debut will correspond with the early autumn grand opening of the business’ new location on 3rd Street in Bethlehem, just above Domaci.

WHO THEY HELP

Initially, the big focus for Reset Outdoors was on working with “helping professionals”—police officers, doctors, firefighters, and others whose main objective is to help others. But their clientele quickly expanded.

“When we were testing the model, enough people outside of helping professionals still felt like they benefitted from the experience,” says Moriarty. “So now we work with anybody who wants to reestablish the balance in their life and improve well-being.”

He notes that people naturally get swept up in the responsibilities of life and begin to forget the restorative things they once did so naturally—things that helped them decompress and destress, like getting outside. Reset Outdoors helps people reconnect and find new, healthy ways to get more enjoyment out of life.

For more information or to book a session, check out Reset Outdoors online at resetoutdoors.com or at facebook.com/ResetOutdoors1.

RESET OUTDOORS 23 E 3RD ST BETHLEHEM 484.893.4545 RESETOUTDOORS.COM

BY KATE M. VAN DRUFF

Sometimes with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, all you really need is a little fresh air and a glimpse of nature to lower your stress levels. The Lehigh Valley is home to so many beautiful creatures and stunning nature preserves and sanctuaries. Add these natural settings to your list of must-see outdoor attractions right here in our own backyard.

TREXLER NATURE PRESERVE

With humble beginnings as a refuge for bison, elk, and white-tailed deer, the Trexler Nature Preserve now encompasses 18 miles of trails for active outdoor adventures in mountain biking, hiking, walking, horseback riding, birdwatching, and observing other wildlife. The Jordan Creek offers fishing and picnic opportunities while the ADA trail accommodates those with disabilities. The Trexler Nature Preserve is a place anyone can enjoy.

Within the central range of the Trexler Nature Preserve is the Lehigh Valley Zoo, which is home to more than 275 animals spread across 70 species. Zoo admission directly pays for the food and care for these animals. lehighcounty.org/Departments/Parks-AndRecreation/Our-Parks/Trexler-Preserve

LEHIGH GAP NATURE CENTER

At the foot of the Kittatinny Ridge, the Lehigh Gap Nature Center promotes conservation of local wildlife and habitats within the Lehigh River Watershed. The center’s mission encourages education, research, and outdoor leisure for all ages. The Lehigh Gap Nature Center comprises wetlands, ponds, forest, cliffs, slopes, and savanna. Be sure to check out the “green building,” the Osprey House, while taking in the sights of the 756-acre refuge. Many volunteer opportunities and special events make it easy to experience this wildlife sanctuary in your own way. lgnc.org

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WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY

The Lehigh Valley has no shortage of sanctuaries and nature preserves. Take the Wildlands Conservancy, for instance, which comprises nine different natural areas (although some locations require prior permission or scheduled visits). wildlandspa.org

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BUEHLER MEMORIAL PARK

40 acres of protected woodlands offer study opportunities outside Emmaus; permission/ appointments required. wildlandspa.org/buehler-memorial-park/

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BURKHART PRESERVE

Over 32 acres of wooded trails are ideal for hiking and biking in Emmaus. wildlandspa.org/buckwha-creek-preserve/

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DOROTHY RIDER POOL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

77 acres with 7 trails and 2.6 miles of hiking in Emmaus offer active experiences. Responsible pet owners are also welcome. wildlandspa.org/pool-wildlife-sanctuary

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FREEMANS ISLAND

11+ acre wooded river island in Freemansburg features picturesque remnants of flooding such as loose silt and ravines. wildlandspa.org/freemans-island/

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HAMMONDS–KEELEY PRESERVE

10 acres of riverfront and woodland ecosystems nurture nesting birds and evening owl flights in nearby Lackawanna County. wildlandspa.org/hammonds-keeley-preserve-2/

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MAPLE TRACT PRESERVE

While not easy to access, Long Pond’s glacial wetlands are home to various plants and wildlife—such as snowshoe hare, beavers, and bears—amid 7+ miles of trails and 680 acres of forest, thickets, and marshes. wildlandspa.org/mapletract/

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REIMERT MEMORIAL BIRD HAVEN

11 acres of mature woodlands surround a walking trail flanked by Macungie Mountain, home to a diverse native bird habitat. Use off-

street parking on Mountain Road in Macungie. wildlandspa.org/reimert-memorial-bird-haven/

SOUTH MOUNTAIN PRESERVE

An impressive 350 acres of natural topography provides 9 different trails and 9 miles of hiking and single-use biking trails enjoyable to runners, responsible pet owners, bicyclists, and others seeking outdoor adventures. wildlandspa.org/south-mountain-preserve/

THOMAS DARLING PRESERVE

Just north of Blakeslee within one of Pennsylvania’s largest spruce forests and glacial wetlands lie plentiful birdwatching, hiking, and hunting grounds. The vast 1,300 acres include trails as well as educational opportunities with the environment. wildlandspa.org/thomas-darling-preserve/

HAWK MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY

Hike Hawk Mountain for a chance to see stunning raptors like golden eagles, hawks, falcons, and other birds of prey. Mid-August through mid-December months provide ample opportunities to see hawks migrating, generally between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Modest trail fees support the conservation of raptors at this natural preserve. hawkmountain.org

NATURAL LANDS MARITON WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Easton’s Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary boasts 200 acres of unpaved trail systems, particularly the River Lookout Trail that peers down on the Delaware Canal and the Delaware River below. Home to wildlife and bedecked with wildflowers, the sanctuary nurtures deer, red fox, eastern chipmunk, many species of birds, butterflies, turtles, and hummingbirds, to name a few. Sprawling views of the Delaware River create immortal memories of how we hope our natural surroundings will always be. natlands.org/mariton-wildlife-sanctuary

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