Today’s stressful lifestyles have people wanting to spend more time relaxing indoors. Other people have gotten used to the fast and furious pace of daily life, preferring push-button conveniences to other more leisurely pursuits. And it doesn’t help that skyscrapers and expansive supermalls are the usual places for work or play.
But for those looking for something a little different or more fulfilling, there are countless fun outdoor activities that can be had to live an enjoyable and happy life. Fortunately, there are some who are now rediscovering the beauty and value of exploring the outdoors and have started their journey towards connecting with nature.
Disconnect to Connect
Modern technology has given humanity ways to enjoy many conveniences. Almost everything can be had in an instant — food, entertainment, news, and even products you would normally have to go shop for at a mall. This is probably the reason why a lot of people have become hooked to the wireless world.
You see people of all ages glued to the screens of their gadgets. Almost everyone is online all the time. Even those who have nothing to do online still compulsively get online to while away their time browsing through social media or the net.
Unfortunately, technology use for some people has come to a point where it has impacted their lives in unhealthy ways. Aside from suffering from health issues, there are also social and psychological consequences brought on through the irresponsible use of technology. These include deteriorating relationships with friends and family, disinterest in daily life, and the neglect of one’s responsibilities.
To avoid these, people should make time to disconnect from the hold of technology and connect with nature instead. In fact, a paper published in Scientific Reports in June 2019 says that spending at least 120 minutes in natural environments can prove to be beneficial to one’s health and wellbeing. This, along with other studies, has led to the popularity of doctors prescribing time with nature to patients as part of patient care.
Not only does communing with nature contribute to better health and wellbeing; it is also an effective means to promote environmental awareness. Experiencing what it’s like to be one with nature can lead to awakening people’s concern for the environment, and encouraging them to act on its behalf.
If you want to know how the natural environment can be a “natural pill” that can boost health and wellbeing, then consider taking part in eco-related escapades. Here are some simple yet fun outdoor activities that you can do to connect more with nature:
1. Adventure Activities
While some are absorbed with online games or social media, other people, especially the younger generation, are “re-wilding” or getting out there and getting up close and personal experiences with nature. They are opening themselves to adventure, embracing the wild outdoors to rediscover themselves and the natural world around them.
If you want to try this kind of fun, then you can certainly choose from a variety of eco-exploits. If you’re fond of the water, you can join a kayaking activity in the mangroves, snorkel to a coral garden, or dive deep into the ocean and learn about marine life.
If you’re more comfortable on land, then why not trek out into the dunes and spend a night in the desert? In the morning, you can observe desert flora and fauna and discover how life in the desert goes.
2. Conservation Capers
To know more about the natural world, you can also take part in conservation events. These programs blend fun with environmental education by conducting hands-on activities that encourage benevolence, compassion, and other environmentally responsible behaviours.
There are conservation efforts organised by both public and private entities that you can join. For example, you can take part in beach cleanups, nurdle hunts (nurdles are the raw materials used to produce plastic), or early morning turtle patrols. You can also join a scavenger hunt and explore a protected wetland.
3. Fitness Fun
Enjoy the feeling of being one with the environment as you flex your muscles and go for a wild workout. Whether it is running around lakes, a sustainable city, or through a green park, you can definitely enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.
Whether you’re a pro runner or running just for fun, you can also join a trail run. If running proves too much for you, you can also do outdoor yoga to enhance that sense of peace and calm in your life.
Be One With Nature
If you want to connect or reconnect with nature, then grab the chance to do so.
Whether you’re doing it to improve your health, alleviate stress, or discover the wonders of nature, you will surely learn more as you participate in nature-related activities or environmental volunteer work.
Whatever your motivation may be, the important thing is that you have the will and the passion to be one with Mother Earth.
References:
Digital 2019: Global Internet Use Accelerates: https://wearesocial.com/blog/2019/01/digital-2019-global-internet-use-accelerates
Digital Responsibility: http://www.digitalresponsibility.org/health-and-technology#targetText=Being%20overly%20connected%20can%20cause,hearing%20loss%2C%20and%20neck%20strain.
Social and Psychological Effects of Internet Use:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789623/
Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44097-3
How much nature is enough? : https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/13/health/nature-outdoors-health.html