When our pace of life is fast and our to-do lists are never-ending, it’s easy to become disconnected from the natural world. Finding time to connect with nature and reap its benefits can seem daunting but it doesn’t have to be. From delicious seasonal recipes to simple 5-minute activities, we’ve got you covered this summer with 12 easy ways to reconnect with nature.
1. Take work outside
with a little help from an extension cord, take your work outside for at least a couple of hours each day; it's a nice way to get fresh air and break up the work day!
2. Repurpose (food) waste
Short on time, outdoor space, and want to save $? Look to your compost bin and turn your food scraps into a windowsill garden that keeps on giving. Our favourite place to start is green onions, all you need is a is the end of your green onion, a jar and some water to get started.
3. Get social outdoors
When catching up with friends or family (on the phone or in person), suggest a 'walk and talk' as a nice way to connect socially while also connecting to nature.
4. Opt for an adventure novel
Use the power of imagination to 'connect' with different environments by living vicariously through others' experiences in the wild (bonus points for taking the book outside!)
5. Guided 'nature walks' (Great to do with kids)
This is fun to do at any age: use an identification or sightseeing scavenger hunt to become more aware of the ecosystem when you take a walk. With kids it can be a fun opportunity for everyone to choose a different plant/animal to observe, or an invasive/native species to identify, and then share what they learned about it to the group.
6. Picnics
a great way to really settle 'in' the outdoors – pack your fave seasonal snacks and spend your lunch break outside.
7. Recreating
Hiking, camping, rolling, strolling, swimming, paddling, yoga in the park, game day at the beach, or catching an outdoor movie, there is something for everyone!
8. Start with one (plant)
Growing a garden can be overwhelming, make it easier by starting with one plant at a time -- whether a herb, a pollinator, or a native shrub the act of planting and nourishing and witnessing a plant grow is a great opportunity to reconnect with nature.
9. Eat the seasons
So many memories are connected to food, and the abundant local fruits and veggies available in the summer can be a great way to tune in to the nature around us while creating those lifelong connections to it. With cherry season upon us, check-out our favourite cherry cheesecake smoothie!
10. Look up!
Stargazing (or cloud gazing depending on the weather!) is an underrated outdoor activity that has so much to offer: it’s free, accessible, and can be incredibly calming to spend time looking up at the sky.
11. Walk, ride or make it a combo
With the nicer weather, try spending more time outside by simply changing how you get from A to B. If the place you’re going is too far to walk or ride, consider walking part-way and finishing the trip on a bus or with a bike-share service!
12. Bathe in Nature
Have you ever heard of forest bathing? Not only is this a great way to connect with the nature around you, but it’s scientifically proven to increase your mental and physical health.
Follow along our social media accounts for more resources and how-to’s (and recipes) for reconnecting with nature this summer!