Bringing Nature Back in Style
Image Courtesy: Ellie Amos
How many people say, “Today I’m going to be really productive – I’m going to sit outside and enjoy nature?” In my experience, not a lot. Spending time outside is often considered a luxury that only comes when you happen to have some unexpected free time. As a college student, unexpected free time is pretty rare. And when it happens, it’s so easy to just get on your phone and scroll through Instagram or watch YouTube – that’s the downtime that’s “in style” nowadays.
Phones provide instant gratification, and your brain is so wired from constantly staying busy that you want to keep up that adrenaline. Instant gratification keeps your brain engaged and whirring. It allows you to “relax” without fully decompressing. While this isn’t always a bad thing, over time, it can wear you down. Your mind is meant to slow down so that it can work properly when you really need it to kick into high gear.
But what about the world outside of your phone? Unlike technology, nature is inherently grounding and calming. Think about sitting on the ground, the grass tickling your legs: here, your body is connected to the Earth, and that provides a physical reminder to slow down. Even passive observation in nature grounds you in the present moment as you admire sights of ferns growing on trees, birds flying by, or clouds rolling overhead.
Image Courtesy: Ellie Amos
The problem is that slowing your brain down takes an active decision – and that means consciously putting aside the time to allow yourself to relax. You may have to (in the best way possible) force yourself to go outside and take time for your well-being. It can feel counterproductive at first; we live in a world where technology and staying constantly busy are heralded as worthy, and thus, taking downtime can feel lazy. I know that I constantly feel like I have more important things to be doing. But that constant push to stay busy can wear you down so to the point where you’re burnt out and unable to get anything done. So, how can you get yourself out in nature and take time to rest, when it can feel unproductive?
Image Courtesy: Ellie Amos
First, I’ve found that reading or journaling in nature helps me ease into relaxation. Yes, it is important to just be in nature – either snoozing or just observing everything around you – but if you go straight from hyperactivity into this type of relaxation, it can make you feel stressed and anxious. But reading and journaling both keep your brain engaged and produce something worthwhile. You can finish a book or even get through one of those journals you bought a while ago that sits untouched on your bookcase.
Whenever I finish a book or journal, I feel so productive (and yes, even a little bit smarter). But both books and journaling slow your brain down a lot more than, say, scrolling on Instagram. Sometimes I find myself reading outside, and then I ease into this relaxed state where I can close my eyes and listen to the birds without that constant thought of, "You should be doing more stuff right now!” It’s always a great feeling to reach that state of relaxation where the worries in your mind fade into the chattering of people walking nearby, the chirp of the birds -- or if it’s really quiet -- the sound of the wind in the trees.
Image Courtesy: Ellie Amos
Second, moving your body can add some activity and excitement to your time outdoors, and the experience can bring peace simultaneously. When I’m running along trails in the forest, or just walking down a path in a field, I feel productive because I’m exercising. But the fresh air, sunshine, and scenery also calm my mind and soothe me. It’s a win-win situation!
Of course, I don’t always feel like exercising, so I move my body in a different way – I explore nature. If you’re looking, you can find some really cool opportunities for exploration. Some parks have pretty bridges or railroads, some rivers have boulders jutting out over the water, and some forests have fallen trees with little mushrooms growing. There’s always something cool to discover outside. And if you have that journal handy, you can always write about your discoveries!
Image Courtesy: Ellie Amos
Inevitably, your mind and body will need a break from the everyday hustle. While getting on your phone or napping in your apartment can be beneficial, try tossing in more time outdoors! It’ll take conscious effort at first, and you may need to ease yourself into relaxation through reading, journaling, gentle exercise, or exploration. But once you get into the habit of seeing time in nature as important, then your brain will associate the outdoors with a new type of productivity: self-care. Then, even in the digital age we live in, you can make time in nature a healthy part of your life.
Image Courtesy: Ellie Amos
Strike Out,
Writer: Ellie Amos
Editor: Isabel Wilder
Tallahassee