Let Nature Help You Rest Today
As a child, I remember spending a lot of time outside. Nature is relaxing. When birds sing, I find joy in the sound.
Have you ever sat quietly watching birds fly from tree to tree?
They seem so free, so at peace.
Then, as the sun goes down, a full piece of foliage becomes their home for the evening as they sing their last song for the day.
After rain falls, their sound is strong, even uplifting.
The crisp air after a storm is fresh and filled with a certain tranquility.
You know, walking is pretty good for us. And, there’s a world of nature to be enjoyed while taking a leisurely walk in a park, along a river, around a pond, on a beach, or even in your own backyard.
Have you ever just sat and watched the sky?
The fluffy white clouds move around while forming different shapes. You can see pictures of animals, people, and objects in their formations. The clouds float, separate, and lazily cover the sun for fleeting moments, as a cooling effect touches your body. Now and then, you can see a bird gliding in the air as it stretches its wings.
The world feels at peace to me when I watch the sky.
The aroma of roses, honeysuckles, and lilacs calms my stressed mind.
Have you ever picked an orange from a tree and squeezed the juice right into your mouth? The taste is sweet and delicious as the juice touches your tongue. Your senses come alive with the freshest of the wonderful smells and tastes. It is as though you can almost feel the vibrating energy flow from the orange into your body with every bite.
It makes me feel alive!
Have you ever experienced a spring shower while walking in the woods or maybe just sitting in a park? It comes on quickly but doesn’t last long. The rain is light as it falls upon the leaves of the trees and grass.
The grass and leaves come alive with a richer shade of green. Squirrels and rabbits come out of their hiding places to do a happy dance when it stops. The wind lazily blows the leaves across the ground, rearranging its surroundings.
There is a world of beauty for us to enjoy outside in nature. It is peaceful, relaxing, and breathtaking at times. It’s there for you and me to enjoy.
It costs nothing, yet it is worth so much.
It can help us to see through the eyes of a child and feel young at heart. Our pleasures are many if we just take the time to look around, relax, and enjoy the moment.
Have you given yourself a healthy break today?
Have you taken the time to take your brain for a much-needed, loving, and peaceful walk? It’s not too late!
More Reasons to Get Outside
Did you know that spending time in nature is healthy? According to studies, spending just 120 minutes in nature (roughly two hours a week) can make you healthier and happier. “It’s well-known that getting outdoors in nature can be good for people’s health and well-being, but until now we’ve not been able to say how much is enough,” says Matthew White, of the European Centre for Environment & Human Health at the University of Exeter. “Two hours a week is hopefully a realistic target for many people, especially given that it can be spread over an entire week to get the benefit.”
Some of the many health benefits of communing with nature include:
- A healthier immune system
- Lower blood pressure
- Better sleep
- Less anxiety and depression
- Accelerated recovery from an illness or surgery
- More energy
- Better focus and cognitive function
- Increased self-esteem
So, if you’re feeling weighed down by stress, insomnia, or just can’t concentrate, the answer might be simple: Get outside and reconnect with the world beyond your windows! You don’t have to spend two hours in nature all at once to reap the benefits. Instead, try breaking up those two hours into smaller periods of time. For example, if you still work, use your lunch break (or other breaks) as an opportunity to take a walk and rejuvenate yourself with a little sunlight therapy. When you go out to get the mail, spend a few minutes outside, admiring the beauty of nature and breathing the fresh air. Here are a few other ways you can spend a little more time in the great outdoors.
1. Plant some flowers.
A garden can give you a reason to go outside a lot in the summer! Plant a few flowers along your walkway or find a space in your yard that’s begging to be turned into a beautiful floral wonderland. If flowers aren’t your thing, you can also grow fruit or veggies, climate permitting. And, if digging in the dirt doesn’t appeal to you at all, buy a few hanging plants and beautify your front porch!
2. Sit on your front porch.
Before we got smartphones and computers, we all got a lot of use out of our front porch. We’d sit on them for hours, watching life go by and occasionally chatting with our neighbors. We might live in a technological age, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still sit on our porches and relax! On a nice day, step out onto your front porch. Sit in the shade and watch life unfold before you, just like you did when you were younger. Not only is this a great way to get in touch with nature, but it can also help you get in touch with your younger self.
3. Try out nature photography.
The world around us is one big photo opportunity waiting to happen. From sunsets that even Monet couldn’t capture on a canvas to an entire field of cheerful daisies bobbing their yellow heads at all who pass, there are always scenes that capture our interest…and hearts. Use nature as an opportunity to step outside and enjoy a new hobby. Grab a camera (or your cell phone) and start snapping a few pictures! It doesn’t matter if you’re an amateur or an experienced shutterbug. All you need is some time and an appreciation for the world around us. Who knows? It might even turn into a fun side gig for you!
4. Watch the sunrise (or sunset).
Have you ever gotten up extra early to watch a sunrise? Or stayed up a little later to admire a sunset? If you’ve never watched either, now is your chance! Set your alarm and get up to watch the sun rise from the horizon and burst across the sky in glorious color and life. Or find a nice vantage point in the evening and slowly slip away from the sky, letting the moon and stars replace it until morning. I promise you it’ll be well worth the sleep you might lose!
5. Fly a kite.
Chances are, when you were a child, you flew a kite or two. There’s nothing quite so exhilarating as commandeering a brightly-colored piece of fabric as it soars high in the sky, buffeted by the wind but resilient as a hawk. Well, you don’t have to be a child to fly a kite! You can always purchase one on Amazon, step outside, and get in touch with your inner child. If you have grandchildren, invite them to join you and share the simple magic and joy of flying a kite.
6. Take a nature walk (or run)!
Exercising is good for us, and walking happens to be a wonderful low-impact activity that almost anyone can do! Grab your favorite shoes and hit the nearest walking trail. Take your time and walk slowly, drinking in all the sights and sounds around you. Leave your phone in your pocket so you can tune out the world and enjoy your time with Mother Nature.
7. Just sit in the sunshine and let the breeze play with your hair.
Sometimes, you don’t have to do anything special to connect with nature. You can find a nice, quiet spot in your yard and just sit. Nature can take care of the rest. Close your eyes and sweep your hands along the grass, letting the blades tickle your palms. Savor every golden kiss the Sun places upon your face. Let the breeze play with your hair, like a fascinated child with a new toy. Watch a beetle crawl along the grass and marvel at how even God’s tiniest creatures serve a big purpose.
8. Journal.
Journaling is a healthy practice that can declutter our brains and keep them sharp and active. Oftentimes, we journal indoors, at a desk or a quiet corner of the house. Is it any wonder that we sometimes struggle for things to write? Sitting at our desk, staring at a blank wall, isn’t exactly the recipe for creativity. On a nice, warm day, take yourself and your journal outside. Sit down on your front porch or a picnic table, or even a conveniently-placed tree stump, and do a little journaling.
9. Birdwatch!
There comes a point in every man’s life when they look outside and feel great excitement when they spot a robin or a hawk. Birdwatching is a fun, inexpensive hobby that anyone can do, regardless of their age or knowledge base. You don’t even need binoculars, though they can make it easier to spot distant birds. Step outside and watch some birds pluck worms from the Earth. Or listen to them sing from a power cable. If you want to make it extra fun, get a bird field guide and try to identify all the birds you see.
10. Have a picnic.
There’s something extra special about eating outside on a picnic blanket. Sure, it isn’t always comfortable, and you have to be mindful of tiny, uninvited guests invading your picnic blanket and making off with a crumb or two. But having a picnic lunch is refreshing, a way to really slow down and savor every bite. It’s much healthier for your mind to eat outdoors instead of in front of a TV or phone screen. To make it extra special, invite some friends or family members. They can probably benefit from a little sunlight therapy, too!
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Originally published May 28, 2025
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