We live in such a hectic and faced-paced world that we barely have time to breathe, let alone appreciate all the gifts that mother nature has to offer. We tend to forget how important it is to take a break from our mad rush every now and then and enjoy all the natural wonders that surround us. Yet our connection with nature is always there, dormant, waiting to be discovered and unraveled.
It’s a well-known fact that spending time in nature can provide a multitude of benefits. From lowering blood pressure and increasing vitamin D levels to improving short term memory, reducing stress, improving sleep or strengthening the immune system, a bit of fresh air and some sun on your skin can work wonders for your mental and physical health.
So, what can you do to fit more nature time into your busy schedule and improve your connection with nature? Well, you don’t have to go camping every single weekend or climb the highest mountain peaks to reconnect with the natural world around you. There are much easier ways to achieve this goal that require minimum effort on your part.
Spend your lunch break in a park
Who said that you can’t enjoy nature when you’re in the middle of a busy work day? If you’re lucky enough to have a park or a patch of green grass and a bench you can sit on near your workplace, you can get the best of both worlds. Instead of eating in the cafeteria or in a restaurant, just pack your lunch and eat it outside. This will help you disconnect for a short while and get a much-needed breath of fresh air before you go back to work.
Bring nature indoors
When you can’t go out in nature, you can bring nature to you. What you need to do is add a touch of greenery in your house or apartment and see how this small change can transform your space. Don’t worry if you’re not much of a green thumb, you’ll just learn as you go. If you choose low-maintenance apartment plants, the chances of you killing your new green friends will be greatly diminished. Apart from that, when the weather allows it, you can pull off the curtains, keep your windows wide open, and let sunlight and fresh air flood your home and create a natural ambience.
Walk barefoot
If you’ve never heard of grounding or earthing, you might want to familiarize yourselves with the concept. It’s a practice that relies on direct skin contact with the surface of the earth to help you reconnect with natural elements and improve wellness. So, try this: whenever you’re in a garden, park, field or forest, take your shoes off and walk barefoot for a while. That sounds simple and fun. We promise you’ll enjoy the sensation of feeling the ground beneath your feet, and for some of you this might bring back wonderful childhood memories.
Stargaze
Even if you’re stuck in a great big city with no possibility of losing yourself in the middle of nature, you can still connect with it by looking at the sky above you. Stargazing on nights with clear skies is one of the best ways to detach yourself from the material world and marvel at the beauty of the universe. This can also help put things into perspective and bring a sense of peace and serenity even when you’re not going though the best period of your life.
Choose natural self-care products
Self-care is about finding the time to address your mental, physical, and emotional needs. There are plenty of practices and natural products that you can include in your self-care ritual, to boost your health and wellness. From all-natural skincare products to supplements or plants that have health benefits like the red raspberry, there are plenty of natural products you can include in your wellness routine. And since we’ve mentioned the red raspberry plant, you might want to read up about the raspberry tea inducing labor myth before consuming it. Getting educated on these topics also plays an important role in your natural self-care ritual.
Take a trip to the countryside
Whenever the time allows it, plan a trip to the countryside alone or with your friends. You don’t have to go to a far-away exotic location to feel nature’s power – although if you have the possibility to do that, you should go for it. All you have to do is jump in your car and stop at the nearest village. Even a day’s trip or a short drive to the countryside can feel extremely liberating and give you the opportunity to enjoy nature to the fullest. However, make sure you leave your city outfit behind and wear some comfortable clothes when you’re out and about, so you can make the most of your outdoors experience.
Engage in outdoor activities
Do you like to exercise regularly, practice meditation or yoga? We suggest you ditch the gym or your living room workout space and take your wellness activities outdoors every once in a while. The weather might not be on your side all the time, but whenever you have the opportunity to exercise outside, don’t let it pass by. So next time you feel like exercising, grab your equipment and get out of the house. Nature will be the best companion for you.
Start a garden
If you have a backyard, even if it’s a small one, you can consider yourself extremely lucky. Not only because you get to spend time outside whenever you feel like it, but also because you have the possibility to start your own vegetable garden. Growing your own fruits and veggies and watching how nature works is one of the best ways to support a healthier and more natural lifestyle. We couldn’t think of a better way to deepen your connection with nature as this experience will enrich your life in so many ways.
