My boyfriend and I both like hiking. But often we have a very different approach. While he is about the speed, fitness, and reaching peaks, I love enjoying the views, taking photos, and soaking in the experience. We will both get to our destination, but the way to get there and our mindset throughout is a little different. Sometimes this causes tension. Unsurprisingly. This weekend, as I was hiking with our pup and taking many pictures of the gorgeous flowery meadows along the way, I was reflecting on how much I loved the hike and how much I enjoyed taking my sweet time. Rocky, our dog, certainly didn’t mind the frequent stops, as it gave him an opportunity to sniff around, explore more of the area, and, towards the end, also take a little break to lay down in the shade. But I know if my boyfriend was there, it would have been an exercise of patience for him and not the most enjoyable experience.
I believe that spending time in nature and outdoors is meditative and calming. I think all of us could use a little more nature time in our lives to give us a space to reflect, pause, and relax. In nature, we gain new perspectives and usually come back home calmer and more in peace. Yet, there is no one recipe for how to enjoy nature. My boyfriend’s and my approach to hiking differs; different people will enjoy different ways to experience nature and the outdoors. Someone will enjoy a long run on a trail and someone else will love a picnic in a city park. It’s very individual.
The most important thing is to find what works for you and what brings you true joy and benefit and then do that. There is no point in pushing yourself into an outdoor activity just because you feel you should or someone is pressuring you. Please note that I am not saying to reject an outdoor activity out of laziness or unwillingness to get out of your comfort zone. I think you should be open to trying new things and activities. What I am saying is that it is important to find what works for you, what nature and outdoor activity you truly enjoy and would want to do consistently in the long term. Just because your best friend is a dedicated runner doesn’t mean that you will love running. Trying to fit into someone else’s hobby and into what brings them joy is not a sustainable way to get yourself outside. Finding what you love doing outdoors will help you ensure that you make the time for it and prioritize it among your other activities and responsibilities.
Take a moment to think about what works for you. Ask yourself: when did I feel really relaxed outdoors? What sort of nature sights I like to look at? With whom was I when I was last spending some really enjoyable time outdoors? When am I most inclined to go and spend some time outdoors? Questions like these will help you find your own way that works for you and is sustainable in the long run.
There is a myriad of ways to spend some nice time outdoors and get the mental and physical benefits that time in nature provides. You can explore a more demanding activity such as running on trails, hiking, biking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, or sailing, or you can look for activities that can be easily done in nature like walking, reading or doing a picnic in a park, visiting botanical gardens, visiting historical or cultural sites located in natural areas, going to the beach, or even going wine tasting at nice wineries that let you sit outside near the rows of vines. Or it might be something totally different than what I listed here.
I would encourage everyone to think about which activity is doable given where they live, their means, their level of physical fitness, and their current life context. And then think about what truly makes their heart beat and their mind relax. Once you have that, it will be much easier to incorporate that activity into your life. If possible, finding a like-minded individual or a group that enjoys the same thing is a great way to have company and an accountability partner to help you do the activity on a regular basis. Spending time in nature brings calm, brings perspective, and can help improve fitness. Find your way to reap some of these benefits.
