Many of us devote a big chunk of the day on our devices, be it computers, smartphones or tablets.
As the majority of the globe is stuck at home due to this pandemic, we’re most likely depending on our devices even more to work from home, read the news, help our children with school, video call our family and friends, binge-watching TV shows, or just filling the hours to pass the time.
Well, that’s a great deal of screen time. Wouldn’t you agree?
We must stay plugged into the matrix, right?
I know this is a tough question and believe me, the last thing I want do right now is be The Captain Obvious…
Now, regarding the other connection. What about it?
You know what I’m talking about, the connection with mother nature, the great outdoors.
For any of those that stay in cities, small apartments where your only escape to outside is the window that probably face another apartment block.
For those that live in places where being outdoors is forbidden by law, do not surrender.
Being outside nowadays could be considered a luxury and if you’re fortunate to enjoy a 1 hour walk or run, make sure you appreciate every moment of it.
Let’s not lose heart, there’s still other means to stay connected with nature.
I will try to approach some of them in this article.
Why Is Nature Essential To Our Health?
Studies revealed that anxiety, depression, ADHD, and fatigue in children is connected to significant quantities of screen time.
Staying in close proximity to electronic devices for large periods of time implies you’re assimilating all those ions.
While being outdoors taking a break, you charge with positive ions from nature.
Other researches show that people who dwell in green locations or near to the countryside have less health problems and live longer lives.
Not just that but the green place itself aids us to deal with difficulties, anxiety, and stress, hence adding favorably to our wellness.
As we all know vitamin D provided by the sunlight is useful to our health and spending more time outside in natural light is a great tonic to our system.
Additionally, studies also discovered that being near trees, touching trees can drastically decrease stress hormones, calm anxiety, and improve blood pressure.
Same researches show that for this to work you don’t even need to be outdoors, just looking at pictures of trees or nature can help.
Nippon scientists from Tokyo discovered that chemicals released by plants called phytoncides (wood essential oils), can reinforce our immune system.
Plants secrete phytoncides to protect themselves from insects and rotting.
When we breathe in these invisible chemicals, we increase the natural killer (NK) cells – a type of white blood cell that supports the immune system and is associated with a lower risk of cancer.
Walking in nature can also make us more creative, increasing our intuition and cognitive abilities.
Think about for a second. How many exceptional musicians, writers, and artists were inspired by nature?
When faced with a writer’s blockage, it’s widely known that authors go outdoors for a long walk.
There’s a thing about staying outside that can work marvels with our creativeness, calming the mind and offering us that space to figure things out.
Ernest Hemingway was a famous walker, so was Charles Dickens. Must be a coincidence? I don’t believe so.
How to Harness the Healing Power of Nature?
Go Outside
Nothing complicated about it, just take 15-30 minutes a day outside.
You don’t have to run or walk if you can’t, even gardening, sitting outside or even meditating outside is amazing for your mind, body, and soul.
The best way to be outside is to do it mindfully. That means engaging with your environment.
Observe what is all around you and appreciate the blessings of nature.
Allow yourself to engage every one of your senses and absorb what is around you. Your mind and body will go into a deep state of tranquility.
Cool, but what if you’re stuck inside?
Bring the Plants Inside
Ensure that your home is filled with plants, especially those spaces where you spend a great deal of time in.
Keeping a plant in a room can elevate the energy and create a positive, motivating environment.
There are some plants that are recognized great indoor air filters.
Plants like Aloe Vera, Peace Lilies and Spider Plants help remove harmful air pollutants also known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).
Images of Nature
If you have a room with an outside view, take advantage of it!
And if you’re fortunate enough to have some green areas framed within that window put aside some time and gaze out at the nature greenery.
Ideally you should spend as much time as possible in that room and every hour take 10 minutes breaks to stare at whatever plants you can see.
If that’s not possible, you can have images of nature around you.
Use your favorite photo as a desktop screensaver or background on your most used devices.
Do not undervalue the power of it. Even if it’s artificial, images or sounds of nature can soothe your stress levels and have positive health effects.
Plant Herbs
If you have even the smallest outdoor space such as a veranda or porch or balcony, you can transform it into a tiny herb garden.
Make use of your window sill or any sunny spot in the kitchen and plant some of your preferred herbs. You can also hang them from the ceiling.
Here are some herbs that any newbie gardener can grow with minimal space:
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Sage
- Mint
- Thyme
- Rosemary
You’ll adore these herbs flavor, also you will definitely appreciate their greenery.
If you seem like you have no room where to put these herbs, use your imagination. There is so much content on DIY projects for you to get inspired or learn how to plant herbs in jars, small buckets, used plastic bottles, old drinking glasses the options are limited to your imagination.
Even if you feel like you have no space whatsoever, get creative, hang your plants from the ceiling, there are so many great resources out there for learning how to plant in buckets, jars, pallets, old coffee cups you name it!
Eat Fresh and Connect to Nature
You can make sure that what you eat is natural if you can’t get outside.
Vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts should be the prevalent component of your every meal.
Choose organic whenever the situation allows it.
If we’re at growing plants and herbs why not take it up a notch and grow your own vegetables if you have a backyard.
You’ll be shooting two rabbits with one bullet. You’ll benefit from eating well, also spend some time in nature enjoying a great garden in plenty of sunshine.
Keeping in mind to frequently connect with nature is like taking the simplest medicine there is.
An amazing technique to ground yourself and bring along a deep earth connection is to sit or walk empty feet on green grass.
We are one, we’re all connected on this good green earth.
You can cherish this whether you’re on a mountain trail, running in a park or enjoying your first homegrown tomato plant sprouting.
Nature is so amazing; it constantly sees a path to carry on. Appreciate it and enjoy it.
Stay well, stay healthy, stay connected.