Did you know our bodies naturally detox and reset throughout the year?
It’s not just about tidying our homes — our minds and bodies benefit from seasonal changes, too. One of the best ways to support this natural process is by spending time in nature.
While a weekend (or week-long 😁) retreat to a mountain cabin sounds amazing, it’s not always practical for a busy schedule. Can anyone else relate?
Incorporating more nature into your daily life has proven health and wellbeing benefits — like reducing stress, improving mood, and even lowering blood pressure (click here to read more from the American Psychological Association).
Keep reading for 5 simple ways to bring more nature into your daily routine and give your body and mind the refresh they deserve, no matter the season!
Go for a walk in your neighborhood park or a nearby green space. Even as little as 15-20 minutes has a host of benefits.
Bring a plant (or two…or three…who's counting?) into your home or office space. Bonus points if it's something with a natural scent like an herb. Take a few minutes to do some deep breathing and savor the scent.
Take a 10-15 minute mental break with some nature sounds. Close your eyes, put on some relaxing nature sounds (birds chirping, a flowing stream, or the sounds of the beach are great options), and visualize yourself in that place.
Add a rock garden or zen garden with sand to your space. Giving your sense of touch a space to be grounded connects you with nature.
Surround yourself with art of natural landscapes. Taking a break to look at nature, even if you're not actually there, has been shown to increase cognition and lower the stress hormone, cortisol (check out the science in this cool YouTube video from researchers Tierney Thys, Tan Le, and Nalini Nadkarni on Neurobiophilia).
