Are you looking to escape reality and delve into something exciting and new? Unlock nature connection through fun hobbies like bird-watching, rock-climbing, and hiking! We know that nature offers a wealth of physical and mental health benefits, from reducing stress levels to boosting creativity. With these enjoyable activities, you’ll be sure to gain a deeper connection with nature and enjoy its many healing properties. So, what are you waiting for? Come and explore the outside world!
1. Strengthen Your Bond with Nature Through Enjoyable Hobbies
Nature has always been around us, and it’s something that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Even taking a walk around your neighbourhood can reveal nature’s random beauty. But for those of you who want to take your relationship with nature to the next level, here are some enjoyable hobbies:
- Hiking: Put on those hiking boots and take to the trails. There’s nothing like immersing yourself in the great outdoors, discovering new hidden creeks, and breathtaking views. A hike can clear your mind and re-energise you for the week ahead.
- Wild Swimming: Why stick to your regular pool when you can explore a crystal-clear river or lake? Wild swimming might seem like a daunting prospect at first, but you’ll soon be surprised at the lengths you can take it.It’s a great way to get your heart and soul into nature, and catch a glimpse of wildlife along the way.
- Gardening: Get your hands dirty, plant some seeds, and watch your hard work bloom. Gardening is a great way to exercise, take in the calming sights, sounds, and scents of nature, and of course, you can use your harvest to make delicious meals.
These are just a few of the ways you can get closer to nature and its bounty. There are lots of other outdoor activities for you to get stuck into such as bird watching, camping, or fishing. So why not check out what your local area has to offer and make sure you spend a few more hours in nature over the coming months.
2. Discover Creative Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors
Don’t let the pandemic restrict your vacation dreams! Now is a great opportunity to while still practicing social distancing. Here are a few exciting possibilities:
Explore the many different trails and parks in your area. Map out a route that takes you through the most scenic parts and enjoy a nice, leisurely stroll. Or, you can take it up a notch and take on tougher terrain with moderate hiking and biking trails. Don’t forget to bring along snacks and plenty of water to sustain you throughout the journey.
Turn your backyard into an outdoor playground. You can host a game of volleyball or badminton or set up a giant tic-tac-toe or scrabble board to challenge your family and friends. Get creative and bring out the fun – you’re only limited by your own imagination!
Rent a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddle board (SUP) to take on the river or lake. Get some fishing equipment and bring along a picnic lunch so you have an excuse to stop, sit, and relax while admiring all the wildlife nature has to offer.
Whether you’re looking for an active adventure or a peaceful escape, there are plenty of ways to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. Let your creativity flow, and you’ll be sure to come up with the perfect outdoor getaway.
3. Listen to the Therapeutic Power of Nature
Though often overlooked, the therapeutic power of nature should not be underestimated. From countryside walks to a dip in the nearby lake, immersing ourselves in nature as often as possible offers many tangible and intangible benefits.
Mental Benefits
- Nature can help you relax, reducing the risks of stress and mental fatigue, and calming overactive minds.
- It can alleviate depression, resulting in increased self-confidence, joy and sense of well-being.
- Interacting with natural surroundings can stimulate your creativity, providing a greater capacity for problem solving.
Physical Benefits
- Nature can provide an opportunity for physical exercise, improving muscle tone and cardio-vascular fitness.
- A habit of exploring the outdoors has been linked with improved overall health and stronger immune system.
- Being in nature can lead to healthier sun exposure, providing vital Vitamin D.
We are not meant to stay locked away inside, but to explore the world around us. Next time you feel overwhelmed, take a break and seek out a natural spot–even the simplest of trees or flower beds can provide the emotional sustenance to heal!
4. Dive Into Nature with Fun and Interactive Activities
Summer is a time to take advantage of nature’s abundance and have some fun! Whether it’s splashing in a lake or exploring rolling green hills, engaging in interactive activities with nature can make for an ultimate outdoor experience. Here are four creative ways to explore and appreciate nature:
- Pick Berries and Make Jam: Nature is a huge source of ripe and juicy berries, so grab a bucket and go on a hunt! Depending on where you live, you can find different varieties of berries such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and more. Once you’ve picked your bounty, make sweet and delicious jam that you can store and use later or give away as gifts.
- Identify the Wildlife in Your Backyard: Birds, squirrels, rabbits and butterflies; get to know the wildlife living and visiting the area around your home. Just a few of the many opportunities to observe wildlife include setting up bird feeders, bird baths and nesting boxes to attract more birds and other small wildlife, monitoring a pond or nearby stream and vigilant observation in your backyard.
- Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt: Scavenger hunts can help encourage imaginative exploration in nature. With a list of natural items like leaves, pine cones, rocks and feathers, a few pieces of paper and a pencil, you and your family can explore all the nuances of nature and discover things you likely never knew existed before.
- Build a Tree House: Building a tree house in your backyard or your local park’s woods can be an exciting way to bring nature and adventure closer to home. And of course, the sky’s the limit when it comes to tree house design: From the most basic of shacks to lavish multi-room hideaways, your imagination is the only limit.
These activities can be educational and also a great way to bring people of all ages together. Get creative and explore nature in a way that’s unique to you. And don’t forget to bring sunscreen and plenty of snacks!
5. Reap the Long-Term Benefits of Outdoor Hobbies
From camping to rock climbing, hobbies in the great outdoors provide a plethora of benefits that can profoundly impact our life in the long-term.
- Enhanced Sense of Self-Efficacy – The sense of self-efficacy is a core component of our mental wellbeing. Challenging outdoor activities help strengthen this belief as you continuously push yourself to meet and conquer new goals.
- Improved Mental Health – The physical and cognitive challenge that outdoor activities entail may help to improve your mental health and the ability to manage stress in the long-term.
- A Sense Of Accomplishment – Accomplishing a hike or mountaineering mission provides a sense of pride and empowerment. This can help develop an increased sense of accomplishment that can be used to fuel other goals in life.
- Strengthened Connections with Nature – Connecting with nature can develop feelings of inner peace, and also bring us to enjoy the moments of our lives, rather than letting them fly by.
Adopting outdoor hobbies may also improve our physical and cognitive health. The physical activity combined with the cognitive challenges, such as remembering the route or calculating distances can leave you feeling healthier, more accomplished, and more connected with nature.
By choosing outdoor hobbies, you not only get to enjoy a few days of being out in the wild – but reaps the long-term benefits of outdoor adventures, improved mental and physical health, and a strengthened sense of self-efficacy.
Interest in nature connection continues to soar, giving you plenty of opportunity to find fun hobbies that help you rekindle your relationship with the natural world. From annual birdwatching to foraging for wild edible plants, these hobbies are a great way to explore the outdoors and create deeper connections with nature. Whatever you choose, be sure to make the most of the great outdoors and start reconnecting with your natural world today! [dqr_code]
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