Top Tips for Connecting with Nature
As humans we are also animals, so we’re supposed to get outside and be in nature. It can be one of the greatest joys in life to be observant and really look and feel part of your surroundings.
Connecting with nature can help you to feel more relaxed and peaceful, increase your quality of life and can really benefit your mental wellbeing.
So here are our top tips for connecting with nature:
Tip 1 – Start Small
It doesn’t have to be a daunting activity. It could be a window box or a pot plant on a window sill. There is so much variety of things you can grow – herbs, flowers even bonsai trees.
Tip 2 – Get Outside and Breathe
Take 5 minutes out of your day to just go outside and breathe. Taking that break away from work or home business can help you feel grounded again and conscious of the larger world.
Tip 3 – Visit the Countryside
Rambling or cycling is a great way to ‘get away from it all’. Being in the countryside, away from traffic and noise can really help you to feel recharged, with the added bonus of getting some exercise.
Tip 4 – Notice Your Surroundings
When you’re outside, just take the time to look around you and have an awareness of where you are. Nature is everywhere – plants, animals insects – and if you stop and really look there is so much going on. Often, we’re so busy going about our day that we hardly notice it all.
Tip 5 – Use a Nature Tick List
If you have children a good way for them to connect with nature is to go to a local park with a tick list of all the different insects/trees etc they can find. They will be amazed at all the different things they can find. There are some fantastic free resources for every season here.
Tip 6 – Try Gardening
Gardening is a great way to feel connected as you’re actively creating your own version of nature. Every year we always have a veggie patch because not only do the vegetables taste so much better, the plants change every day so there’s always something to see or pick. You can read more about the benefits of gardening here.
Tip 7 – Connect with Your Senses
When you go outside, actively connect with nature by using your five senses. Go through each sense using your awareness of where you are to engage with your surroundings. You could listen to the birds, actually take the time to smell the roses or feel the grass beneath your feet. !
Tip 8 – Challenge Yourself
If you’re feeling adventurous you could commit to a big challenge that takes you into nature. There are many examples such as the 3 peak challenge or walking/cycling 100 miles in a month. Even walking around the block each day and looking at people’s front gardens could be challenging enough.
Tip 9 – Explore Different Times of Day
Try getting outside at different times of the day. You could wake up early to watch the sunrise, or plan to be out in nature to watch the sunset. Or you could even go outside at night and stargaze.
Tip 10 – Eat Alfresco
Eating meals outside is a great way to spend more time in nature. This could be sitting on the patio to eat your breakfast in the morning, leaving your desk and eating your lunch in the park, or an evening BBQ with family or friends.
Tip 11 – Get Creative
Getting out and spending time in nature can be a fantastic opportunity to have fun, be creative and try something new. Why not try bark rubbing, sketching the landscape or practising your photography skills on wildflowers or local wildlife. You could keep a record of what you find using the A Photo a Day app.
To find out more about the benefits of connecting with nature, take a look at our blog post: Why is being in nature so good for our mental health?
About the Author: Carmen Harrington practices from her therapy room in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. As someone who has struggled with confidence and anxiety in the past, she knows how positive and lifechanging hypnotherapy can be. Carmen’s specialties include: Anxiety, Confidence, Addictions, Teenagers, and Phobias.
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