I am sitting in my camping chair, overlooking a green valley filled with thousands of pine tree tips that stretch all the way to the other side where a series of gray mountain peaks encircles this view. After an intense rain in the evening and throughout the night, the morning is fresh, clean, with deep blue sky and just a few fluffy white clouds floating to my left. The light purple-blue Fleabanes grow in bunches on the charcoal gray rocks and dirt just below my feet, in places intercepted by the Indian Paintbrush’s bright red. Somewhere down in the valley a creek or a small waterfall rushes over rocks, sending a very subtle, but continuous gentle roar up my way. I am in peace, in a complete stage of relaxation. My mind is clear and my brain has slowed down. I savor this moment, sitting quietly.
I have experienced this peace many times before, but it took me years to really understand what an effect spending time in nature has on me. There is something deeply peaceful about looking at greenery. And being surrounded by beautiful sights such as this one helps me put things in my daily life in perspective. I feel part of the universe and connected to something bigger than me when I am in nature. I cannot quite describe it, but it is an all-encompassing feeling of calm and belonging. As an introvert, I also find refuge in nature and green spaces when I need to recharge from social life, day-to-day noise and chaos, and societal expectations. Last, but certainly not least, I have found myself getting some of my best ideas for writing and other creative projects when active outdoors.
There is plenty written about the benefits of spending time in nature. Studies have shown that it decreases stress by reducing your cortisol levels, improves memory, and increases overall well-being. One study claims that being around plants makes you absorb phytoncides, chemicals plants produce to protect themselves, which makes your immune system produce specific kind of white blood cells that go after things in your body that can cause different health conditions. I also heard that looking at greenery is good for your eyes and can improve your eyesight. And authors, such as Cheryl Strayed in her book Wild, and others speak about experiences processing deep emotional and psychological pain through hiking and exercising (often alone) in nature.
While many people will recognize these benefits, they may say they are too busy or it is too difficult to find time and space for nature. Yet others may say they are simply not a ‘nature person’ and don’t even know where to start. And as a result, many people do not spend enough time in nature and do not experience the benefits it brings. I believe that there are different ways to do so – from very easy to more challenging – and everyone can find the option that fits their personality and circumstances. I am listing some suggestions that people may find useful:
- Walk barefoot on grass for a few minutes – feel the sensation in your feet and focus on that. It is deeply meditative.
- Have a picnic with friends in your city park – it’s so easy to do and you kill two birds with one stone.
- Set up a hammock in a park to read a book – I have recently become a fan of hammocks and I think they are getting very popular so people won’t give you weird looks if you set up one in your local park.
- Find a body of water – whether it is a lake, a creek, or even a small man-made pond in a city park, there is something very calming about spending time near a body of water and watching its flow and depth.
- Go for a hike – this can be something very short in a local city park or a half a day or a day trip to a nearby nature area or national park.
- Have lunch on a bench outside – I used to do this when I worked in the city and needed some quiet time away from the office to re-charge my tired brain.
- Set-up walking meetings – if your boss or colleagues are up for it, a walking meeting is a great way to get some fresh air in the middle of the day. My former boss and I used to do these for our weekly check-and it was such a great way to break-up the day while staying productive.
- Sit down on a bench with your coffee – I noticed that when people step out of the office to get a coffee, they immediately run back. Take a few minutes to sit on a park bench to actually enjoy your coffee while you look at the trees and squirrels running around.
- Ride your bike to work or for short local errands – this may not be possible for everyone, but in places where you have some bike trails through nature that you can use, this is a great option.
- Make memories outside with your family and friends – go for a hike, rent kayaks, or visit a winery with outdoor seating with your family and friends. Who says that a social gathering always have to be a party at someone house or a restaurant visit? Connect your social gathering and time with loved ones with an outdoor activity appropriate for the group to create memories.
- Join a hiking group – if you want to try hiking and no one in your circles is into that, find an organized hike through a Meetup group or a local outdoor store (i.e. REI). There are plenty of options and you will likely also make some new friends.
- Watch the sunrise or sunset – this is especially powerful if you find a nature spot to do that. Yes, sunrise may require being up early, but I can tell you that a short drive to the hill or beach where you can sit quietly and watch the sun rise is totally worth it.
I believe that nature heals and brings us inner balance. If we all spend just a little bit more time outside, I am sure that our daily lives and the society around us would definitely see the results. So, take off those shoes, watch that sunset, or get on that bike and let me know how it goes.
