Spending time in nature reduces anxiety. It calms our minds, soothes our soul, and lifts our spirits. Just looking at the color green can give us health benefits. If you are feeling sad, fearful, or anxious, perhaps you just need to get outside and interact with mother nature a bit. Just a few minutes can do us wonders. If we are not able to get outside there are still ways to incorporate nature and the outdoors into our day.

Here are some ideas:

1. Take a walk or bike ride outside
2. Plant or tend to your garden and houseplants. Even if you live in a city you can have a few container plants on a porch or balcony. Indoor plants count too!
3. Decorate your home or office space with nature in mind: outdoor photos and art prints, natural objects (think wood, stones, gems, etc), indoor plants, soothing early colors such as greens, blues, beige, brick, soft yellows, orange, and lavender.
4. If you are inside you can play recordings of nature sounds.
5. Think water features: waterfall, ponds,  and small fountains in yard or in home.
6. Plan an outdoor adventure: day trips to nearby parks, gardens and arboretums, nature trails, beaches, lakes, etc.
7. Go on an exciting outdoor adventure: river rafting, hiking up a mountain, kayaking, snorkeling, etc.
8. Grab your book, beverage, and favorite lounge chair and read outside.
9. Maintain a bird feeder and birdbath to attract wildlife to your yard.
10. Consider the windows in your home and the view you have from inside. What can you do to make the view as pleasing and connected to the outdoors as much as possible?
11. Watch movies and documentaries about outdoor adventures to inspire you. I just love mountain climbing, surfing, and skiing movies.
12. Go camping.
13. Take a Sunday drive out to the country and just explore.
14. Have your computer screen saver be a beautiful nature photo.
15. Look at nature photographs. There are some absolutely stunning photos available in coffee table books and the internet. If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I share gorgeous photos from all over the world on a regular basis.

Have a blessed day.

Debra

Related Posts:

• This Spring I’m taking my yoga practice outdoors: getting in touch with the natural world.
• Eight ways to make this a great day