A growing body of evidence suggests that being in nature provides many benefits, such as reduced stress and anxiety, improved mood, and even enhanced immune system function. When you’ve taken other approaches to achieve the same results without success, it can be worth seeing if being out in nature results in any mental or physical health changes.
However, not everyone knows how to truly immerse themselves in nature to make the most of their experience. If you struggle to get out in nature as much as you would like, consider taking some of the following actions:
Turn Your Yard Into a Natural Oasis
If you don’t have many natural attractions near your home, turn your yard into a natural oasis instead. Install a backyard cabana to enjoy the outdoors year-round with shelter from the elements, and plant a garden you can admire.
Sometimes, something as simple as a comfortable outdoor seat you can relax on with a book, surrounded by your favorite plants, can be all it takes to feel happy and have the day’s stresses melt away.
Bring Nature Indoors
Apartment living can greatly limit your ability to enjoy nature. While you might not have a backyard, you can still bring nature indoors. Purchase house plants you can place in your home and on a balcony or patio area if you have one. Plenty of easy-care options might help you feel happier and less stressed, such as snake plants, spider plants, jade plants, and peace lilies.
Grow a Garden
If you’re fortunate enough to have your own yard, growing a garden can be an excellent way to motivate you to spend more time outdoors. Vegetable gardens require constant care to produce healthy plants, while flower gardens typically lure you outside with their vibrant hues. While growing a garden might seem overwhelming, it can be straightforward whether you grow plants in garden beds or in the ground.
- Think about the plants you want to grow
- Clear the ground/purchase garden beds
- Buy or create healthy soil
- Plant your plants
- Water them at the right time
Once you have a well-established garden, you might enjoy benefits like reduced stress and sadness, lower blood pressure, and improved mood.
Take Breaks Outside
Whether you’re an indoor worker or are working on an indoor project at home, you’ll likely be taking breaks to give your mind and body a much-needed rest. Rather than sitting indoors and scrolling through your phone, make the conscious decision to head outdoors. A short walk around the block, a stroll through a nearby park, or simply standing outside in the sunshine might give you that much-needed nature injection you’ve been seeking.
Visit a Natural Attraction With a Friend
While many people love visiting their local café to catch up with friends, you might see the value in changing up your meeting location and heading to a nearby natural attraction. A short walk through a national park, a meander along a beach, or a quick jog around a lake might help you feel less stressed and happier. Walking may also provide many health benefits, such as boosting immune function, lowering breast cancer risk, and fewer cravings for sweet, unhealthy foods.
When many of us have indoor jobs, it’s not always easy to find time to spend out in nature. However, by growing a garden, visiting local natural attractions, and creating your own outdoor oasis, you might be able to change old habits and reap the rewards.