In a world where technology forms such a huge part of our everyday lives, it’s important to take a step back regularly and reconnect with nature. There’s no denying that mobile phones and computers have made our lives easier. Instant access to entertainment and the ability to communicate with anyone we want at the touch of a button means we’re more connected than ever. But we’re not hardwired to spend all day looking at screens.

All the clicks, swipes, and likes are having a huge effect on our mental health, as we’ve become accustomed to always being switched on. Turning our attention away from Instagram, Netflix, and the PlayStation, and finding a way to reconnect with nature will vastly improve our well-being.

Ways to Reconnect with Nature

Finding a way to experience the great outdoors can be tricky if you’re short on time or live in a bustling city. Likewise, putting down the phone when you have an important job and people who depend on you can be a struggle as well. But it’s important to reconnect with nature in any way you can, whether that’s by taking 15 minutes to yourself or an entire weekend.

Below is a list of ways to get you back outdoors, so you can find a routine that works for you.

Go for a Walk Regularly

Going for a walk is one of the simplest ways to reconnect with nature. Take a few minutes on your lunch break to step outside and enjoy the fresh air rather than staying indoors on your phone. If you need to get a few bits and bobs from the shop, ask yourself if you need to take the car. Chances are, you won’t need to.

For those who have a bit more time to spare, venture a little further out and trek through the woods or the hills, and experience a section of the world free from concrete towers. Why not take your partner and children and make a whole day of it? If the weather is nice, you can even take a picnic. Studies show that walking outdoors makes us feel more rejuvenated and helps us to become more mindful, meaning it provides a wonderful array of physical and mental health benefits.

Outdoor Exercise

Exercise doesn’t have to be confined to the gym. Explore your options, and you may find a new way to keep fit without being surrounded by four concrete walls.

Weekend Breaks

One of the best ways to reconnect with nature is to block a significant amount of time out of your diary and just escape the urban jungle. A weekend break in the countryside, enjoying a digital detox, is exactly what our brains need from time to time.

Taking a few days away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life can help you discover new and enjoyable ways to pass the time. Exploring the environment, going for a bike ride, stargazing, or even just sitting back and listening to the sounds of nature will help you unwind. While it may take some time to get used to putting your phone down, you’ll soon see that taking a rest now and again could be the best thing for you.

Natural Light

Try to let natural light into your space or get out into it. Natural light holds many benefits such as:

• The production of vitamin D

• Lowering blood pressure

• Improving mental health

It’s well known that a lack of sunlight causes a significant change in our well-being, and many experts believe it’s related to SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

Colours & Materials

We can bring nature into our homes with colour and texture. There are many colours that we associate with nature; a vivid green for grass, bright blue for the sky, and sandy hues to represent stone and clay. These are the shades that help us reconnect with nature, colours that remind us of the great outdoors.

Benefits of Reconnecting with Nature

Spending time outside has proven benefits for both our well-being and physical health. The mental health charity Mind also champions reconnecting with nature, sharing stories on how getting out into the open world has helped those who have been struggling. Here are just some of the ways individuals have benefited:

A Sense of Purpose

Reconnecting with nature can take several different forms, and one of those includes caring for the environment. Planting trees, growing flowers, and creating nests and dens for animals makes you feel dependable, as you know you’re doing a good thing.

Improved Mindfulness

Exploring nature allows you to open your eyes and ears to the world around you. Many people find a sense of calm and tranquillity when they take in the vivid scenery, clearing their minds and helping them to re-evaluate what’s important in their lives.

Feeling More Active

Getting out and about can boost your endorphins, giving you a feel-good factor. And the more you explore, the greater that feeling grows. When you reconnect with nature, it’s rejuvenating, and you’ll start to feel healthier physically as well as mentally.

Finding What Works for You

There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to reconnecting with nature. We all lead different lives, and we have to find what works for us as individuals. The important thing is making the effort.

If you can take the time to go away for a tech detox on the weekend, that’s great. If there’s only time in your diary for a quick walk every day, then that’s good, too.

And remember, you can always bring nature to you. Natural materials and colours can help you reconnect with nature no matter where you are, and a few indoor plants make for great additions to any room.

Find what works for you, and you may discover that a break in the great outdoors is exactly what you need.