Why Now Is the Perfect Moment to Rethink Your Connection with Nature
The renewed sense of appreciation for the natural world we gained during the pandemic might be the key to long-term wellbeing
When the world shuts down and uncertainty envelops every aspect of your life, the best thing to do is to go out for a walk in nature.
Simple as that may sound, being outdoors—be that a garden, a park or a forest—is not only a fundamental human need but also the best cure for the constant stress and anxiety we feel due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A recent study published by the Mental Health Foundation shows that 45% of respondents admit that having access to green spaces during the pandemic has been vital for their mental wellbeing.
This innate urge to seek a connection with nature and other living organisms is known as the biophilia hypothesis and was first introduced in 1984 by American biologist Edward B. Wilson in his book, Biophilia.
For centuries, long before industrialisation and digitalisation left their mark on our daily lives, humans developed and thrived in natural environments.
So, if you feel happier and calmer in the middle of nature that’s because your ancestors did too.
How to connect with nature to boost your wellbeing
As we move further into 2021 and restrictions are loosened up, nature remains a powerful way to enhance mental and physical health and encourage safe social interactions.
Here are 5 key tips you can use to build a strong connection with the natural world and transform your life:
1. Carve out time for going out in nature
With home offices becoming the norm last year, the work-life balance was just another victim of the pandemic. How many times has your mind been stuck on projects and deadlines long after work hours had ended?
Spending time in nature either by simply taking your lunch outside or having a picnic in the park after work can help you de-stress and put things into perspective.
According to a 2019 study, spending only two hours a week in green spaces can significantly boost your wellbeing. That’s less than 20 minutes a day to have your exhausted mind at peace again.
2. Practice mindfulness whenever you’re in a natural surrounding
Whenever you feel like a swarm of worries has invaded your mind, take the time to completely immerse yourself in nature using your senses.
Breathe in the fresh air and feel the gentle breeze on your arms. Listen to the birds singing, notice the soothing movement of the clouds, or smell the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers.
Using mindfulness to connect with nature is a popular practice in countries like Japan, where shinrin-yoku or ‘forest bathing’ is used to treat mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.
3. Move your next workout session outside
If you’re not yet ready to go back to the gym, no worries. There are still effective ways to exercise that will keep your body and mind in top shape.
Going for a run in the park or enjoying a walk along a river or on the beach can help you minimise stress and any negative feelings you’ve accumulated during the day and strengthen your immune system.
Whatever workout you have planned, make sure to leave your headphones at home so you can listen to the natural sounds around you.
4. Use nature as inspiration for your creative hobbies
The natural world has been a primary source of inspiration for some of the world’s most breathtaking works of art. Van Gogh described it as the only place where he and his work could thrive.
You can too build an emotional connection with nature and capture its intricate beauty by taking photos, painting the surrounding landscape or writing in your journal.
5. Incorporate natural elements into your home
Raise your hand if the pandemic has turned you into a devout plant parent with a carefully planned watering schedule and more than one plant care app.
This sudden need to fill our homes with plants is another example of our minds wanting to form a close relationship with nature.
Incorporating nature-inspired home accessories that mimic the colours, shapes and patterns found in natural spaces—a concept known as biophilic design—can turn our living space into an oasis of relaxation and increase productivity.
Final Thoughts
Nature is and always will be part of us, bringing joy and wonder into our lives with each cheerful birdsong we hear and each mesmerising sunset we witness.
To ensure that our connection with nature is enduring, we must take care of natural spaces through our actions and choices.
From recycling to choosing to walk instead of driving your car and organising a cleanup of your neighbourhood green spaces, your implication can change the natural world for the better one step at a time and inspire others to do the same.
