Being in or surrounded by nature has physical and psychological benefits – it also plays a major role in our mental health, as well as our overall well-being.
Think back to the first few weeks of lockdown when movement was restricted – something as simple as taking a stroll down the street down went from being an activity that we may have previously taken for granted, to valuable time we were able to spend outdoors to enjoy some mental clarity. This newfound perspective has opened our eyes to how fortunate many of us are to have various access points to nature right on our doorstep.
Being outside has been proven to lower stress, and even more so, research has shown that when we are more connected to nature, we have an improved quality of life.
“Connectedness refers to the way we relate to nature and experience nature. A strong connection with nature means feeling a close relationship or an emotional attachment to our natural surroundings.”
To foster this deeper connecting means being more present and paying close attention. Here are some of our tips to feel more connected to nature:
- Listen. Find a spot where you can be still and start to list how many sounds you can hear. Try and reach between 5 and 10 sounds depending on where you are.
- Take your camera. Try and snap some interesting photos of nature. Once you start looking around with more intention, you will be surprised by what you begin to notice.
- Activate your senses. Ever wondered what tree bark smelled like or what that interesting looking leaf might feel like? Well, go and find out.
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein.