5 Ways to Spend More Time in Nature

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“Standing quite alone, far in the forest, while the wind is shaking down snow from the trees, and leaving the only human tracks behind us, we find our reflections of a richer variety than the life of cities. “

Thoreau “A Winter Walk”

Nature: A Top Priority

As I’ve developed a minimalist lifestyle, being in nature has become a top priority. It brings me so much joy, and solves many ailments. It is my best therapist, mediation tool, personal trainer, stress reliever, truth teller, challenger, and entertainer. I have recognized nature’s healing manner for my high strung tendencies again and again throughout life. Honestly, a walk in nature to me is more relaxing than a glass of wine. At a time in my life where I crave silence, nature has this all encompassing calming effect on my mind that I just can’t get anywhere else. Because of this, I’ve sought out ways to spend more time in nature.

Have We Become too Comfortable?

Many of us don’t interact with nature on a daily basis. We begin the morning by starting our climate controlled car, driving to work, selecting the closest parking spot, quickly walking 20 steps indoors, sitting inside, driving to the gym, working out inside, driving home, going inside and unwinding with a beer and a T.V. show, never interacting with nature once during the day. This behavior is heightened especially when the winter sunlight hours are less.

I remember as a teacher commuting an hour both ways to work. I would get in my car in the morning when it was dark, and by the time I would get back home it would be dark again. Weeks would go by and I never interacted with nature. I felt like a hamster on a wheel in a climate controlled cage.

Consequently, some major global problems are a result of our disconnect from nature. I hate to say it, but I think we’re getting too comfortable. We’ve lost our grit, or as my Finnish grandparents would say “Sisu.”

Grit and Nature

A Lesson from the Finns

In the book The Finnish Way, author Katja Pantzar describes the “sisu” or grit it takes to actually interact with nature on a daily basis. Obviously, it’s a little bit different in Finland where biking everywhere is made convenient because it’s the top mode of local transportation. There are trails for bikes that are separate from the road. They are safe to ride on even at night, and paths are cleared even during winter months. This simple priority allows people to exercise outside, build grit, and interact with nature at least twice daily in any season.

Finns also have a sneaky way of interacting with nature in the winter months: the sauna. You can read my post about the researched benefits of a sauna here. The sauna coupled with a cool jump in a frozen lake, or a roll in the snow takes grit. You have to consciously decide to jump in freezing water. Yeah, it’s a tough choice, but refreshing post jump.

Rain and Snow Builds Grit?

Anyone in the Midwest would agree, it takes grit to shovel snow, go outside in negative temperatures, and remain optimistic with a late snowfall in April. In the Pacific Northwest, where I live currently, it takes grit to go for a run even when it’s raining, hike through the mud with water seeping in your boots, or find joy in the 3^rd week of foggy and overcast skies. There is a certain amount of grit needed to get outside. Inside is comfortable, and predictable, but it’s also boring, lifeless, and controlled. Obviously, I love warming up by a cozy fire with a good book, but I love it even more after my cheeks are rosy from chasing my daughter around the park.

Even the act of exercising has been made to be an inside activity. As a P.E. teacher myself, I’m happy to hear when anyone is exercising, and in the past I have found the convenience of an elliptical machine or lifting weights great during the work week. However, the high I get from running through the woods, skiing in a forest, swimming in a lake, or hiking up a mountain far exceeds any elliptical I’ve ever been on.

Nature: Convenient But Diverse

We’ve become accustomed to man made conveniences, but really there’s nothing more convenient than taking a walk in nature. It doesn’t require you to drive to a store, have any money, or plan ahead.

I try to do most of my exercise outside. I do this for two reasons. The first being that we’re on a debt free journey and a gym membership costs money, even though the childcare option is extremely tempting. Secondly, because it’s convenient. I’m totally that mom at the park doing lunges, planks and squats with a stroller. I don’t have to drive anywhere and I don’t need equipment to walk or run to the park, except of course the stroller.

The diverse seasons force you to build grit. You can’t continue the same 3 mile run you do every day when there is 5 feet of snow on the ground. You have to get creative, and that’s also where variety enters, and perhaps joy in simply moving your body in a new way.

Workout with The Changing Seasons

Changing with the season is better for your body and mind anyways. Technically you’re supposed to change your workout routine every three months. The reason for this is because your body becomes so efficient that you actually stop burning as many calories, and you are more prone to injury. I used to be an all year runner, but now I try to change my routine based on the season. If I’m lucky I spend some of the winter in Minnesota where I can ski and ice skate. When it gets warmer I bike and swim, then in the Fall I pick up running again. Nature reminds us of the seasons, and gives us yearly variety.

Build Ownership of Nature

After being inspired by the watching eyes of my daughter, we routinely pick up trash on our walks to the parks. We have now taken ownership and responsibility of the parks we like to use. When people are out in nature more, respect grows, and you work hard to keep them that way.

By contrast, people seem to respect their things more than they respect nature. How can we show ownership of nature and responsibility in our community? First, be in nature more. Teach your children and friends the beauty that can even be found within city limits. Instead of buying new toys for your children, take them to a new park, a beach, a river, a stream, a mountain. Identify different plants, and animals. Seek out opportunities to witness the changing seasons, weather, or local environments. Follow your own curiosities in nature. Another post this month will focus on getting children outside more. 🙂

Minimalism and Nature

Most of what I write about is related to minimalism, and I can see so many connections to nature and this concept. Minimalism forces you to cut out all excess that does not benefit or serve you. When you set boundaries on a lot of distractions like phones, T.V.’s, negative people, and excessive social media interactions, you’re left with pretty clear priorities. There really is no trade off with nature. When I’m in nature the benefits are numerous.

Another way nature is related to minimalism is because you can’t take nature with you. I can’t put a sunrise in my pocket and save it for tomorrow night. I have to experience it in the moment, and it won’t be the same the next time. It forces one to be present, not think about saving it, or keeping it, or organizing it, but instead just be.

Nature: Relatively Inexpensive Entertainment

Nature, in most areas, is relatively inexpensive, and so it fits nicely into our debt free journey. Obviously, if you want to buy land that is different, but walking to a park is covered in the taxes you pay each year to your city. You’re paying for it anyways, and yet many people never enjoy it. In WA, state parks can be accessed with a Discover pass, which is only $30 each year.

Access to Nature

In some other countries like Finland, nature is extremely inexpensive and accessible. A legal concept called “Everyman’s Right gives everyone the chance to enjoy outdoor pursuits, and the freedom of the country’s vast forests and fells, and many lakes and rivers, with few restrictions. Public access to private land is much wider in Finland… than in most other countries” (The Ministry of the Environment). Basically, if you see land you want to hike, you can.

Growing up in Minnesota, my sweet mom would drop me off at the ice rink, swing by to bring me lunch, and then sometimes I’d be there skating with my friends until evening. My husband recollects hours spent with his childhood dog Maverick in the woods after school. As children we both took full advantage of the convenient access to nature locally. I suppose we have our parent’s example to thank for that.

Why Are We Not Outside?

Of course, there are other countries where access to any land is not accessible due to transportation difficulties, water safety, environmental hazards, or extremely hot or cold temperatures. How blessed we are to live in a vast country with many diverse landscapes accessible to its people.

So why do so many people never interact with nature? A lot of reasons halt Americans from interacting with nature daily: location, bad habits, distractions, time, lack of weather appropriate gear, or lack of appreciation. All of these problems though can be solved. Here are 5 ways to spend more time in nature. I promise you’ll reap the benefits each season. 🙂

1. Buy Weather Appropriate Clothing

I’m speaking to myself with this one as well. I have spent almost 10 years in the PNW and have yet to buy a quality rain jacket for myself. I always just wear one of my husband’s, but of course it doesn’t fit properly and I’m usually left a bit damp. You are much more likely to get outside if you can remain dry and warm under quality clothing. Buy quality so you won’t have to purchase a new one each season.

2. Find Nature Loving Friends

Seriously, if your friends just like to sit inside and watch T.V. then find new friends. Engage with others who like to hike, bike, swim, run, or walk. Join walking, hiking, or biking clubs to meet people who enjoy being in the outdoors.

You can also suggest ways to get outside next time you get together. I love meeting up with my mom friends at a park. We both get to walk around and our children get to play outside. #momwin!

3. Find Nature Locally

To make nature even more convenient, find local parks that are within walking or biking distance from your home. You don’t have to be in a state park with no one around to feel the benefits of nature. If there are no parks around you, find some close to where you work. Instead of taking a coffee break, you could take a 20 minute walk. Make getting in nature as convenient as possible.

4. Prioritize Experiences over Things

A change that my husband and I have made in recent years due to our debt free journey and the concept of minimalism is making experiences more important than things. We only buy things we really need, and any gifts are usually in the form of experiences. We love going to the beach, or visiting MN so we make these top priorities instead of buying stuff. Consequently, these experiences usually involve nature, which is relatively inexpensive. As mentioned previously, a WA Discover pass is only $30 every year. Now that’s a great investment!

5. Focus on How You Feel During and After Being in Nature

Just yesterday, I stopped in a silent wood. I was deep enough in the forest that I only heard a few rustling branches. My breath rose up, and I witnessed a completely clear mind. No thoughts jumping in and out, no tasks to be completed, literally no worries. These moments are fleeting, but they refresh the rest of my day. Even though it was a task to get out the door, get the wool socks, wear 4 layers, find the skis and begin, that single moment was worth it.

It’s alarming to me to think how many years have gone by in my life that I wasn’t appreciating these moments, and then I think of how many people on earth who never experience a moment like this in their life. Don’t miss these moments. A good time to begin is today.

Final Words

Nature to some is almost too convenient. It’s like water. When asked what one’s favorite drink is no one says “water.” Nature is similar in this regard. It’s needed, but forgotten among the distractions of the world we’ve created.

Wishing you a silent moment in the woods, on the beach, at a park, up a mountain, or surrounded by snow and ice. 🙂

Join the Discussion

Where have you added more nature experiences into your life?

P.S. I always ask readers to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. I consciously try to document my everyday simple life. Since we happen to be on a debt free journey it can be motivating because most of my activities are intentionally inexpensive. However, if you’re trying to cut out social media, you’ll need to subscribe directly to this blog.  

Sources

Pantzar, Katja. The Finnish Way: Finding Courage, Wellness, and Happiness through the Power of Sisu. TarcherPerigee, 2018.

“The Ministry of the Environment > Everyman’s Right.” Environmental Agreements | Ministry of the Environment, www.ym.fi/en-US/Latest_news/Publications/Brochures/Everymans_right(4484).