WHAT:
This habit is about spending time intentionally immersing yourself in natural environments and engaging with nature.
WHY:
Research shows that proximity to nature is extremely beneficial for overall health.
Natural environments can significantly reduce stress levels, lower symptoms of depression, and enhance mental focus. Additionally, nature exposure boosts the immune system, increases endurance during exercise, reduces tiredness, and may decrease the risk of certain diseases.
Our evolutionary history ties us deeply to natural landscapes, making this connection essential for our physical and psychological well-being. The more surrounded you are by artificial man-made structures and environments, the more important this habit is for you.
HOW:
Dedicate at least five minutes each day to connect with nature.
This could be as simple as sitting in your yard, observing the trees, listening to birds, or feeling the breeze.
Engage all your senses to fully experience your surroundings.
For those who can, walking barefoot on grass enhances this connection, offering a sensory awakening and grounding experience. Even urban dwellers can incorporate this habit by enjoying a morning beverage near an open window with a view of the sky or listening to natural sounds.
TIPS:
✅ Make it a morning ritual to align your natural rhythms, aiding wakefulness and improving sleep quality at night.
✅ If you have a garden or access to a park, take a short walk, focusing on the sights, sounds, and smells around you.
✅ Urban residents can integrate nature by keeping plants at home or visiting nearby green spaces regularly.
✅ Combine nature time with other activities like drinking coffee outdoors or taking a short break at work near natural elements.
✅ In colder seasons, even brief exposure to natural light and fresh air can be invigorating and beneficial.
✅ Embrace variety by exploring different natural settings or activities, such as bird watching, gardening, or simply sitting quietly and observing.
RESOURCES:
- Precision Nutrition: Your brain on nature
- Healthline: 8 Health benefits of getting back to nature and spending time outside
- Healthline: Why spending just two hours a week in nature is good for you
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: Mental health benefits of nature
- Examine.com: Nature cure? The effects of spending time in nature on physical activity levels, blood pressure, and mental health
