It was a day of constantly checking my news apps to look at stats related to the pandemic.  I was oscillating between that and distracting myself on social media.  As time went on, I realized that the constant checking did not improve my mood or change anything in my reality.  It occurred to me that the best thing to do was to get up and change my focus. 

A walk outside was exactly what I needed.  

Nature connection is the goal is not to exercise, the goal is not to key out or name everything before you. It is to be in nature.  

And what are some of the benefits of being in nature?

Being in nature engages you in a dynamic way. 

Some of the magic here is something called fractals. 

A fractal is a repeating pattern of many sizes and scales.  It’s a term coined by mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot in 1975.  Examples of fractals can be seen in trees, flowers, leaves, pinecones, panoramic views, frost, mycelium, rivers, and more!  Fractals are pleasing to the eye and very efficient in design.  Humans love seeing them.  They are so beautiful that they will often stop someone in their tracks and they will experience awe for what’s before them.  According to Psychology Today, there are several studies that prove being surrounded by fractal patterns reduces stress by up to 60%.  We love to see and experience the efficient and pleasing beauty of fractals. 

When we walk through a forest and breathe in the air nearby trees, we are breathing in chemicals produced by trees called phytoncides. 

These antibacterial and antifungal phytoncides protect the tree.  They are proven to increase tumor killing and virus fighting cells in humans when they simply breathe them in.  Trees support our health just by being themselves.  Trees make good friends. Pine, cedar, locust and oak are all high in phytoncides.

Spending time in nature helps improve mood, making grey days sunnier.  Slowing down in nature helps you to feel your feelings.  Things might come up, feel your feelings, allow them to pass, or if you prefer, allow them to pass through and into your surroundings, into the earth, to decompose, and eventually enrich what’s already there. Being in nature also helps with creativity and problem-solving.

Nature is the mirror before you, reflecting you, even the awe about you, you are nature.

Spending time in nature helps you understand your world.  Everything we make on earth was found on earth, in a way, everything is natural.  Spending time in nature helps you understand what’s going on around you in a new way.  Your relationship with what’s around you evolves, for example, you may notice how trash carelessly tossed into a wild space interacts with that space.  It allows you to see the problems that arise when things are out of balance. These observations may have practical applications to our goals, and everyday lives. 

So, what are you waiting for? 

Carve out 20 minutes a day for nature connection and do yourself some good! For tips on nature connection in an urban context, check out this guide.