5 Ways To Connect With Nature To Help Ease Social Distancing & Isolation
As hearing phrases like social distancing has become normal in everyday conversation, it is no surprise that many of us are feeling isolated and just plain bored.
The consequences of feeling dissociated is leading people to increasingly become overwhelmed by worry and loneliness, and experiencing an increased sense of anxiety. All of these stressors pose a major challenge to our mental health and sanity.
Nature is attributed with being healing, and can help you reconnect with yourself during these troubling times. I have found that incorporating nature into my (new) daily routine has been rejuvenating and often even inspiring.
Though not a complete substitute for regular human interaction, here are 5 tips to connect with nature and incorporate them into your new way of life that help ease this time of isolation:
- Get a plant or two
Get a plant, a cactus, flowers — something living and green to brighten up your home. Not only do they add a bit of color and life into a living space, but depending on what kind of plant it is, it might also help in cleaning the air in your home.
You could also buy an herb plant, or start a mini herb garden in your backyard, or on a balcony which could be used to enhance the flavors in cooking the food you eat, or used to make an herbal tea.
Beyond aesthetic reasons, taking care of a living thing requires care and consistency creating a ritual and giving a sense of stability, which can help during these uncertain times.
Additionally, as owning and caring for plants has become even more popular, there are a number of online communities offering information about plant-care and ways to connect with other plant moms and plant dads.
Plants come in all sorts of sizes and shapes and need varying degrees of care — you are bound to find one that suits your lifestyle.
2. Take a break outside — everyday
If you are someone who is now primarily working from home, finding a bit of time everyday to get out of your house can be essential in helping maintain good mental health.
Try taking a short mid-day walk. Drink your afternoon coffee out on the balcony. Read a book on the bench in the park. These short moments outside can help break up the work day, and give you the mental and physical energy boost to work more productively the rest of the day.
Having a change of scenery for even just a short-period of time can be mentally stimulating.
3. Get active outdoors
To continue with the theme of going outside everyday, take up a hobby that gets you moving that you can enjoy outside.
Start going jogging, go for afterwork walks, cycle to the store instead of taking your car. Bring along your exercise mat and practice yoga in the park instead of at home.
Being active is shown to be essential for good health, and may even help you get in better shape, and improve your sleep.
4. Get some vitamin “sea”
Not everyone has the luxury of living right near the sea, but if you do, go there, and go there regularly. If you are close enough to take an excursion there — do so.
Allow the sensory overload that the sea offers. Listen to the waves, inhale the smell, and listen to the sounds of how the water hits the shore. Dip your feet into the icy cold water.
Even if you do not live near an ocean or sea, try to find a river to walk along, or even sit by a man-made pond. Being near water can be very relaxing.
5. Watch the sunrise and/or sunset
Depending on the time of year, and current weather conditions, waking up to see the sunrise might be rather challenging, but push yourself every once in awhile to do it.
Alternatively reserve a time slot to go see the sunset. Seeing the colors illuminated in the sky, can be a wonderful, peaceful moment, and improve the day — even if just a little bit.
Try some (or all) of these out when you can and see how they add to your life. Please do share these and other ideas with others. And as always stay safe, and be kind to yourself, others, and nature.
