Most of us spend a large portion of the day on our computers or smartphones.📱 As much of the world is at home due to the pandemic, we are even more likely to be relying on our devices to fill the hours, catch up on work, news📰, homeschooling our kids🧒🏻, face-timing with family and friends, relaxing with music 🎶 and movies 🎬, and the list goes on and on.
That’s a lot of screen time. We’ve got to stay connected, right?
Right – but what about that other connection? You know, the connection to nature.
The Great Outdoors. Mother Earth. Our planet. 🌏
If you are lucky enough to be able to get outside for a walk or a run during this time, that’s a huge plus. For those who live in cities, small apartments or countries where being outside is prohibited, do not despair!
There are still other ways to connect to nature which I will discuss in this blog.
Why Is Nature Vital To Our Health?
Research studies have shown that depression, anxiety, fatigue, and ADHD in children is linked to large amounts of screen time. Being close to electronics all day long means you’re absorbing all those negative ions. When you take a break and go outside, you receive positive ions from nature.
Other studies reveal that those of us who live in green spaces 🌴 or closer to the countryside have fewer health issues and live longer healthier lives. Not only that but the actual green space itself helps us to combat challenges, stress, and anxiety, thus contributing positively to our health.
We know that vitamin D found in sunlight ☀️ is beneficial to our health, being outdoors in natural light is a wonderful tonic to the system.
Studies have also found that being near trees, touching trees 🌳 can significantly reduce stress hormones, improve blood pressure, and soothe anxiety.😌
These same studies show that you don’t even have to be outside for this to work, even just looking at images of trees or nature can help.
Japanese researchers also found that the chemicals emitted by plants (phytoncides) can strengthen our immune systems. When we breathe in these invisible chemicals, we increase the natural killer cells in our bodies.
Walking in nature can also make us more creative, 👩🏻🎨 increasing our intuition and cognitive abilities. Just think of how many great artists, musicians, and writers were inspired by nature?
It’s a well-known writer’s trick to go for a long walk when faced with a story problem.
There is something about being outside that can work wonders with our imaginations, soothing the mind and giving us that mental and physical space to figure things out. Ernest Hemingway was a famous walker, as was Charles Dickens.
How to Harness the Healing Power of Nature?
1. Go Outside
Nothing complicated about it, just take 10-30 minutes a day outside. You don’t have to run or walk if you can’t, even gardening, sitting outside or even meditating 🧘🏻♂️ outside is amazing for your mind, body, and soul. The best way to be outside is to do it mindfully. That means engaging with your environment.
Observing what is around you and feeling grateful for the blessings of nature. Allow yourself to engage all of your senses and absorb what is around you. Your mind and body will enter a deep state of calm. 😌
Great, But What If You’re Stuck Inside?
2. Bring Plants Inside
Make sure your home is filled with plants, particularly those spaces where you spend a lot of time in. Having a plant in a room can lift the energy and create a positive, inspiring atmosphere. Some plants are even specifically known for being great air filters, check out plants like Aloe Vera, Peace Lilies and Spider Plants.
3. Plant Herbs
If you have even the tiniest outdoor space such as a balcony or terrace, you can turn it into a mini herb garden. You can even plant herbs on your window sill or in a sunny spot in the kitchen. Planting herbs like basil, cilantro, mint, sage, rosemary, and thyme is relatively straightforward and ideal for the beginner gardener with limited space.
You will love the aromas these herbs bring as well as enjoying their greenery. Even if you feel like you have no space whatsoever, get creative, hang your plants from the ceiling, there are so many great resources out there for learning how to plant in buckets, jars, pallets, old coffee cups you name it!
4. Images of Nature
If you’re lucky enough to have a room with a view, use it! That means take time to actually stare out at the green spaces, trees or whatever glimpses of nature you can see. If possible, spend as much time as you can in that room and regularly take breaks to look out at whatever greenery you can see. If that’s not an option, make sure you have photos or pictures of nature around you.
Turn your favorite photo of nature into your screensaver or desktop picture. Don’t underestimate the power of this. Just looking at the picture can calm your anxiety and give you a boost of positivity.
5. Eat Fresh and Connect to Nature
If you can’t get outside, you can make sure that what you put inside is natural. That means foods that come from the earth. Buy fruits 🍊, vegetables 🥦, nuts 🥜, and seeds and make these the dominant part of every meal. If you can buy organic or from a local farmer or farm coop or have a box of vegetables delivered. Take it to the next level and grow your own vegetables if you can! You’ll be getting the joint benefits of eating well, being outside in nature as you tend to your plants and getting some fresh air.
Remembering to regularly connect with nature is like taking the easiest medicine 💊 there is. Even just placing your hands or feet on grass or soil is an incredible way to ground yourself and bring a deep connection to the earth. It’s a reminder that we are all connected as living organisms.
Nature evokes harmony, serenity and a sense of adventure. The wilderness of our planet is full of miracles and wonders. You can appreciate this whether you are out climbing a mountain ⛰, jogging through woodland or watching the first sprout of your homegrown tomato plant out of the soil.
Nature is so incredible, it always finds a way to carry on, and in the midst of all this disruption in the world, that can be an incredibly comforting thought. ❤️
