"I go to nature to calm down and heal and cleanse my senses." ~ John Burroughs
Spending time outdoors in nature is a big part of my life.
When I started hiking and backpacking for the first time, I liked to explore new places and move outdoors.
In my twenties, I traveled through the western United States to hike in the mountains and discover the incredible desert. I have moved a lot, tried new things and spent more and more time in nature.
Over the years, I realized that the benefits of my time in nature went far beyond physical fitness and enjoying beautiful views. Of course it felt good to do sports, and I liked the view of snow-capped mountains and red arches in the desert, but I noticed that nature enriched my life in other ways.
Listed below are some of the benefits I have experienced through my time in nature, which has nothing to do with physical fitness or how far you go.
1. More self-confidence
It's easy to go through the whole day without ever taking a moment to remember what is happening right here and now.
When I went out on a hike, I noticed that I was more self-confident and focused more on the present moment.
My time in nature began to meditate for me. Walking among the trees or sitting by the fire in a cool autumn night helped me calm down all the chatter in my head and land at the present moment, open and curious about what's around me.
I would start wondering how I felt at the moment. I noticed the leaves under my feet and the air filling my lungs.
In nature, it's easier for me to focus on deeper thoughts, creative ideas, and problem solving.
For example, I was offered a new job job last summer and I could not decide if I should take the job. I thought about every possible scenario in the future and just felt overwhelmed and stressed about the decision.
Fortunately, I had planned a backpacking trip this weekend.
Within an hour on the way, I confidently decided that I did not want to take this job. The decision was not stress at all, because I had created the mental space needed to find clarity and access my intuition – without stories of the past or the future standing in the way. If I have to make a decision now or feel creatively trapped, I go to nature to clarify it.
2. More Gratitude
There's probably a lot going on on a particular day, right? And while you're busy with your never-ending to-do list, you're probably also responding to the constant stream of notifications on your phone.
So much emphasis is placed on bigger, better, bigger and faster that it's all too easy to get involved in what you do not have or have to do. And considering how much time we spend on social media, it's easy to compare our lives to someone else's.
I tend to focus on what I need to accomplish rather than really appreciate what I've done and how hard I've worked. When I do that, I feel so much more stressed, scared and as if I'm not doing enough.
But every time I do a backpacking trip or camping trip, I wonder how quickly I completely forget the social media, my phone, and everything I miss or miss.
I'm more aware and I appreciate how much I have.
An idea that caused so much stress and anxiety suddenly becomes just another thought.
I do not know if it's the room, the trees, the fresh air, the smell of the plants, or a combination of all these things, but when I walk in nature, I come back and feel so much grounded and less anxious.
I'm not so easily carried away by every thought floating through my head and feel so much more conscious and grateful for what I have – a healthy body that can go outside, the supportive people in my life How far have I come and fresh air to breathe?
3. Recovery from Mental Burnout
Some of my best ideas come during or after a nature trip, and others I walk and campe with have said the same thing!
The study of how nature influences the brain is increasing. Attention Restoration Theory (ART) assumes that nature has the ability to renew attention after exerting mental energy.
There is a lot going on in modern humans. We are present in all social media, usually do not sleep enough, and our task lists are often very long. It is important that we take time to rest and recover, so that we do not burn out from mental fatigue.
For me personally, I felt refreshed after a good hike or camping trip, long before I heard of the theory of attention recovery. It's like pressing the reset button and I return to my life in the city feeling refreshed and energized.
I invite you to try it yourself! The next time you feel mentally drained or have trouble focusing – maybe just pushing yourself for a big test or presentation at work, or getting overwhelmed with personal things – you're planning a hike, a camping trip, or Take a trip Go through the park without looking at your phone. Notice how you feel afterwards.
Simple Ways to Experience Nature
Although I enjoy multi-day hikes and backpacking, you do not have to do this to experience the benefits of nature.
Here are some ways to get outside without having to hike:
Visit a local park and sit in the grass under a tree.
Sit by a stream, lake or ocean, close your eyes and focus on the sounds around you. Concentrate on your breathing for a few minutes.
Visit a local greenhouse and walk around. Admire the plants and smell the flowers. This is something I like to do in the winter months!
Plant a garden. If you have the space, this is a wonderful way to experience nature!
Plan a camping trip with family or friends. Sit by the campfire, tell stories, roast marshmallows and sleep under the stars.
If you feel confused about what to do, overwhelmed with your to-do list, or mentally drained, you can spend time appreciating the wonders of nature and relaxing your mind.
There is a whole natural world where you can sit and watch incredibly well. The more time I spend outside, the more I learn that it's not so much about how far you go, but about what you notice on the move.
About Amanda Christian
Amanda is an outdoor blogger and creator. It creates content for hiking, backpacking and camping education that helps people move from being confused and overwhelmed to confident and adventurous life in nature. Find out more in her blog at Amanda Outside.
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