Sometimes we need a break from the daily stressors life throws at us. Taking a few moments each day to reconnect with nature can be the perfect way to bring peace back into your life.
Think of a time when you were outside in nature. Enjoying a walk alone or maybe with a friend or having a family picnic.
Do you remember the feeling you had being outside? The fresh air, the sunlight on your skin?
It probably felt pretty magical.
That’s because there is something special about spending time outdoors. When we reconnect with nature the quality of our lives can improve greatly.
We are meant to connect with nature, it’s a part of who we are. We are one and the same.
With most of society today living in big cities we rarely spend time connecting with nature. People have lost touch with one of the most important parts of our beings, this earth.
But the good thing is that we can get it back quite easily. And you don’t have to forget about your current life and go live in the middle of the forest.
Although you can, there are lots of other great options.
This post is all about the 9 best ways you can reconnect with nature and why it’s important for our wellbeing.
Why Connecting With Nature Is Important
Spending time outside in nature makes us feel so good; most people know this.
That’s why it’s recommended to get outside if you’re feeling stressed or having a bad day. Something about being outside in nature heals our souls.
There are several health benefits to reconnecting with nature.
Spending time outside can help decrease depression and anxiety which is becoming more and more of a problem these days.
Along with decreasing depression, it helps to improve your mood and mental health, which increases your feelings of happiness.
Being outside in nature also has been shown to reduce cortisol levels. And when our cortisol levels are lower the body’s immune system and injury response improves.
As a result, your body’s healing process speeds up, and you can recover quicker.
Also, because our cortisol levels are lower, stress levels decrease. Allowing you to feel lighter and be able to enjoy life more without constantly worrying.
Your blood pressure can also decrease with time spent in nature, and you may even notice improved attention when needing to focus on tasks.
Women & Nature
Some people believe that women have a special connection with nature because of our similar structures.
Both women and nature are known to be nurturers and caretakers. Providing homes for our loved ones.
For women spending time to reconnect with nature can be very important.
This is because women go through cycles during their lives similar to the Earth.
Cycles of birth, menstruation, needing to slow down and rest. Just like Mother Earth shifting through her different seasons.
When women spend time in nature, they can immediately feel a sense of peace. It brings us back into a state of calmness and love, the state we are meant to be in.
How to Reconnect with Nature
There are so many ways to reconnect with nature and take in all the benefits this beautiful planet offers. Here are a few great ones.
1. Go For a Walk
The first way you can reconnect with nature is to simply get outside and go for a walk. Anyone who can walk can partake in this which is wonderful!
No matter where you live take a few minutes and go on an intentional walk.
You can go right around where you live. Or if you have a nice nearby park that would be another great place for a walk.
You can go even further and practice barefoot walking, also known as grounding or earthing.
This is the process of walking barefoot so that the earth’s free electrons can be absorbed into the body. Grounding can have many positive health benefits for our bodies.
2. Exercise Outside To Reconnect With Nature
Another great way to reconnect to nature is to do your exercise outside!
This can be a great one.
Some great physical activities that you can do outside for exercise are going for a run, biking, or even practicing yoga.
You can also do any stretching outside in the sunshine, or if you have any free weights you can do a dumbbell workout outside with weights.
Even if you don’t have weights here are 11 bodyweight exercises you can do while breathing in fresh air.
3. Read or Journal Outside
The next thing you can do is read or journal outside. Most people do these activities inside but they are very easy to practice outside as well.
As long as you have a comfortable place to sit while you read or journal you are good to go.
Plus, reading outside is a very relaxing experience.
And if you are journaling sometimes changing up the environment you normally write in can help if you feel stuck and don’t know what to write about.
If you have space in your backyard to do this that would be perfect or you can find a local park with a table or bench you can use for a while.
Either option is great.
4. Create an Outdoor Space You Love
If you’re finding you really love to spend time outdoors but sometimes you’d simply love to sit and enjoy the peace without having to work or be doing something physical then maybe you need to create a place to relax.
Creating a nice outdoor area to relax in and enjoy will help encourage you to spend more time outdoors.
Create a little patio area with a couple of chairs and maybe a table for you to place your favourite beverage on while you’re outside.
You don’t always have to be deep into the woods to enjoy nature, even sitting in your backyard will benefit you. Being around any part of nature will provide you with a feeling of peace.
5. Connect With Nature By Gardening
Gardening is another great way to reconnect with nature.
It is great because we are getting down and dirty with our hands and creating something beautiful with flowers and plants.
You can create a flower garden with all your favourite colours, or you can plant some of your favourite trees.
You can always research which flowers and trees are native to your area.
Another great thing to do is learn how to grow your own food and have a garden that can provide you with fruits and vegetables. How amazing would that be!
There are so many resources online about gardening. It’s a learning curve for sure but either way getting outside and being a part of nature will feel so great.
6. Bird Watching
If you’re an animal lover you may really enjoy bird watching.
Depending on where you live birds can be so peaceful and enjoyable to watch.
And there are usually so many different species that create homes in one area.
I know people who buy books and learn about all the different kinds of birds so that when they watch they can identify which is which.
Bird watching can be an extremely peaceful activity to reconnect with nature. Grab a cup of tea and sit outside to see what you find!
7. Watch the Sunrise & Sunset
Another wonderful way to reconnect with nature is by watching the sunrise and sunset. These are simply some of the most beautiful ways the earth shows herself off.
The sky fills with colours of warm yellows, oranges, and reds and it’s breathtaking ,in my opinion.
But I do know many other people who agree.
You can enjoy sitting and watching the sunrise in the morning with your breakfast or a cup of coffee or tea. Or you can combine watching the sunrise or sunset with some physical activity like a walk or run outside!
Just really absorbing all Earth has to offer is the key.
When you watch the sunrise or sunset it can immediately bring so much peace and calm into your life.
And I know most of us can always use a little more of that these days.
8. Bring Nature to You
The next way to reconnect with nature is to bring it to you!
By this, I mean helping to create a little natural ecosystem in your yard.
You can build a small pond for frogs and other water-loving critters so they can enjoy it and call it home.
You can also build bird feeders and welcome the local birds to nest in your yard.
Also, if you decide to garden that will also help increase biodiversity and create a wonderful habitat for other animals.
Gardening is good for birds, bees, butterfly’s, frogs, toads, bats, and many more!
Each of these animals plays a role in keeping nature alive and thriving, so by creating the wildlife space for them you get to be a part of nature.
9. Go Camping to Reconnect With Nature
Finally, the last great way you can reconnect with nature is by going camping!
If you love being truly surrounded by nature and enjoy the aspects of spending all day outdoors then camping can be a great activity for you.
It’s a little bit more of a commitment than just taking a walk outside, but it can really give your mind and body a break from your daily lifestyle stressors.
Usually, wherever you live there are campgrounds within an hour or two where you can go for a couple of days.
Most parks offer water hookups and electricity if you have a trailer or if you decide to sleep in a tent, and want power still.
There are always public washrooms in most campgrounds as well.
Or you can venture further into the woods and go “off-grid camping”, as long as there are areas around you where you can do this.
This is where you usually don’t have any electricity, running water, or toilets, and you have to fully depend on yourself for all of that.
If you really love outdoor adventure, you might love this style, or you can always opt for the full-service version of camping.
I know I am a fan of having running water and a flushing toilet!
Remember that reconnecting with nature isn’t about forcing it and making it a chore. It’s about feeling the flow and feeling naturally connected to where we belong.
Spending more time in another is a part of creating good healthy habits that will benefit our health and wellbeing.
When you’re outside, remember to take a moment and pause.
Breathe.
Inhale the fresh air, and listen to the sounds of the animals. Be in the moment and enjoy it.
