Nature is everywhere. Her beauty is endless. It saddens me to think about how many people have disconnected themselves from this vast and epic place.
Some people, though, wish to come back and connect again — they just don’t know where to start. Here are four ways to start you connection with the great outdoors.
1. Hike
Hiking, or in my case, bushwhacking is one of the best ways to reconnect to the Earth. Even ten minutes talking a short walk through a local park or groove can boost your metabolism, plus you get some exercise as well. For me, taking long, meandering walks in the woods is the best therapy, and when I return home I am reset and happy.
2. Observe
Everything in our world changes constantly, that’s easy. But how they move, develop, decay and grow is a mystery. One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to lay down on the edge of the riverbank and looking down at the little ecosystem that thrives there. To watch the fish interact, the water move, and just how different it is down in that foot of water. If you watch things long enough, you start to see patterns, you start to understand more and untangle the “ball of string”.
3. Go Shoeless
Nature has lots of positive things to give us, but our connections start in our roots, just like the trees. Walking barefoot or as it is typically called, “earthing” is essential to a worldly feeling. Dirty feet are my favorite kind of feet. There more you walk shoeless, the better you will get at it and the happier you will feel. Even just walking through your backyard shoeless can do wonders for your soul.
4. Embrace Trees
Being a tree hugger isn’t bad. Trees are good company, shelter, sometimes food and heat. They provide very much to help us become more wild in our lifestyle. Every time I use a tree for something, break a branch, I always thank it or give it a hug. This might sound silly to some, but both trees and humans benefit from this kind of kindness towards each other. Trees don’t complain when we take their leaves, and we should be grateful for what they allow us to take.
And there you are, four great ways to start to connect with nature. Even if you live in a big community, there should always be places you can go to get back with the Earth.
