Being cooped up in four walls is about as good for you as you’d imagine. Here’s where nature walks come to the rescue. From conquering miles-long trails to meandering through a local park, there are so many ways to harness the power of a nature walk.
Not sure how to tap into Mother Nature’s healing energy? Give our guided nature walk a try.
Define Today’s Nature Walk
No two nature walks have to look alike. One day, you may be up for an intense 2-hour-long excursion, and another day, you might only have 15 minutes to spare for the great outdoors.
A great place to start is setting the intention for what your walk is going to look like today. Narrowing your parameters keeps you from wasting time with analysis paralysis.
Pick a Locale
Next, you need to choose a location. Really want to immerse yourself in nature? Head to nature preserves and parks. Just want to get some fresh air? Stick to your immediate surroundings.
Any outdoor location is fit for a nature walk. With the right focused mindset, parking lots with birds circling overhead and bus stops with buzzing bees can provide you with an adequate nature walk experience.
Set Your Own Pace
You don’t have to hit a “quota” of time outside to have a proper nature walk. However much time your body, schedule, and environment can afford is perfect. As you gear up for your walk, make sure to set your own pace. You don’t have to hit the end of the trail or a certain mileage. Instead, focus on opening your body and soul to nature’s presence. It’s about quality, not quantity.
Nature walks don’t have to be literal! Disabled individuals can still explore the natural world with their mobility aids, or even from the comfort of their rooms. Crack open a window and experience the outdoors using your five senses!
Related: 85 Nature Quotes to Help You Embrace the Great Outdoors
Slip Into the Present
Part of the benefits of a nature walk is rooting yourself in the present moment. Erase the worries of the past and the concerns for the future buzzing in your brain and hone your heart into the moment at hand.
If you struggle to detach yourself from past and future preoccupations, focus on each sense individually. Identify what you can see, what you can hear, what you can smell, etc. Isolate your experience to things right in front of you.
Identify the Creatures You See
One of our favorite parts of a nature walk is getting to observe and identify the creatures and critters we come across. There’s so much life happening around you, and watching it unfold can be a uniquely humbling experience.
In this day and age, we’re increasingly disconnected from our environment. Let your nature walk serve as the conduit for reconnecting to the wonderful world we call home.
Use outdoor aids like binoculars and field journals to record your experiences for future reflection.
Try a Meditation
If you have time to take a quick break on your walk, consider trying a new meditation. Meditation can help you ground yourself in the here and now as well as connect with the world at large. Not sure where to start? Give this Earth Energy grounding meditation a go!
Why Are Nature Walks So Helpful?
Getting out in nature may seem a bit hippy-dippy for some, but there is sound empirical evidence for how spending time outside can improve your mental and physical health, concentration, mood, and more.
According to the National Park Service, “Walking in nature reduces inflammation and boosts your immune system, which decreases the risk of certain diseases and cancers.” Additionally, “Listening to birdsongs and observing animals in nature have shown to promote wellbeing, reduce stress, improve mood, and reduce attention fatigue.”
Nature walks can enrich so many areas of your life, and all it takes is a little bit of your time.
Follow Nature’s Lead
Don’t let survivalists and hardcore campers scare you away from the joys of walking in nature. From calming your mind to restoring your attention, there are far too many benefits that come from a nature walk to resist Mother Nature’s call.
