In a world where we are surrounded with distractions, constantly moving and never allowing ourselves to slow down and take a breath, we tend to disconnect from nature and the world around us. Studies have shown that spending time in and connecting with nature reduces stress, improves cognition, lowers blood pressure, aids in better sleep, and can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
While it can be hard to find time in your schedule to fully immerse yourself in nature consistently, there are many simple ways to invite more nature into your life.
Crystals: Crystals are a part of earth, and they do in fact connect us to nature. You don’t need to be an expert in the meanings of each crystal to utilize the benefits that they can bring you. Keeping them around your home, on your desk, or even in your pocket can help with grounding your energy. They are a fun and easy way to help with focus as well, stones like palm-stones or worry-stones are often kept on you to hold and give you something to focus on or do with your hands. Staying present is something that we don’t do enough of, and crystals can help snap you back to the current moment.
Forest Bathing: Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is a therapeutic Japanese practice of walking through a forest (or anywhere with a lot of trees) and noticing the things around you. When you surround yourself with trees, you are helping to not only connect yourself with nature, but also supporting your immune system, clearing your mind of stressors and anxieties, elevating your mood, and boosting creativity and connection. Placing your hand on the bark, noticing the scents, the way the leaves look, and navigating a pathway are all ways to ground yourself and be at one with the world around you. This may take a bit more time out of your day than carrying a crystal around, but it is well worth it. Finding even 20 minutes in a day to take a walk through the trees can immensely benefit your day to day life, and help to lift your spirit.
The Beach: Living so close to the coast is something we often don’t appreciate enough. Beaches are one of the most perfect ways we can connect with nature and soothe our souls. Between the warm sand, the salt air and water, and lots of creatures to discover, it’s an all-in-one healing place. Placing your toes in the sand and water, peeking into tide pools, and looking out towards the horizon all help to clear your mind, increase brain activity, and de-stress. Salt water and air are also shown to help with swelling and inflammation, improve breathing, and are great for skin health!
A Visit to SGB for Flowers or a Houseplant: Bring home a lovely arrangement, or take home a bouquet and build it yourself! Touching each stem, and placing them in a vase to create a beautiful piece of living art is a perfect way to connect with nature and to reduce stress.
Alternatively we can help you pick and repot a houseplant to provide you with a touch of green to add in your space. Houseplants and flower arrangements not only connect us to the Earth, but also aid in reducing cortisol levels, increasing dopamine and serotonin, and they have the ability to “clean” the air by removing the irritant particles in your home or office, which is better for your lungs and cardiovascular system.
It’s important to consider spending time in nature a priority in your life, balancing it equally with other aspects and treating it as a form of healing. Your mental and physical health are just as important as anything else, and isn’t spending time outside, experiencing life on Earth the best way to feel better?
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