Whether it’s a small group of flourishing trees in a park, a collection of flowers in a garden or a forest that covers dozens of miles, it’s easy to enjoy the natural scenes around us. Nature can help us to de-stress and renew our perspective on life and our purpose in it. Look at a few ideas on how you can enjoy nature.
Take a Walk
Taking a walk after a stressful day at work or school can help you to feel more relaxed and focused on the world around you. Breathing in the fresh air and listening to the birds singing all around you can help to lighten your spirit. Many authors such as Ilchi Lee write about how nature can contribute to spirit renewal.
Wade in a Creek
Wading barefoot in a creek is an exhilarating experience. The sensation of the cool water, the texture of the rocks and the sounds all around you can help to focus your mind and relax you. It’s best to find a shallow area of a creek and one where the water is trickling a little bit. If you don’t want to go barefoot in a creek you can wear old tennis shoes. Even with old shoes on you can still enjoy the feel of the water as well as the sights and sounds around you.
Sit by a Pond
If you are lucky enough to have a pond near your home, you may want to take some time to relax next to it. You can sit on a folding chair or a towel. Look at ripples in the water and see if you can spot any frogs sitting on the shore. Tadpoles, crayfish, minnows and dragonflies are just a few of the creatures to look for in or around a pond. Sometimes just closing your eyes and listening to the insects buzzing all around you can be very soothing.
Go Birdwatching
Most people love birds. You can enjoy nature by going to a nearby woods or park to observe the activity of some local birds. Take a pair of binoculars so you can get a closer look at a bird’s feathers, beak and other features. Some people enjoy taking a bird identification book with them, so they can look up any birds they are not familiar with. Birdwatching can also be done in a simple way by choosing a shady spot in the woods and looking up into the branches of a tree.
Plant Flowers
Planting flowers can be done practically anywhere. As you plant flowers in a window box or garden, you are adding to the beauty of nature. Digging your fingers into the moist soil and making sure your flowers are planted properly can be very relaxing. You can even enjoy nature from inside your home by planting flowers in containers and putting them in the kitchen window. In short, you can make your garden as small or as large as you want it to be.
Lastly, author Ilchi Lee contends that spending time outside in nature is a great opportunity to meditate. It is the perfect environment for refocusing and calming anxious nerves.
