October 16, 2020
Sometimes the hustle and bustle of urban life make it easy to forget about the great outdoors waiting just outside the city limits. But getting in touch with nature even in a city is possible, and important for your mental health. Find our tips below for reconnecting with nature.
Buy a plant!
House plants are the perfect way to bring a little nature into your life—they require less care than a pet and are proven to improve indoor air quality. If you are prone to forget to water your plant, make watering your plant unavoidable. Do you always drink a glass of water before going to bed? Feed your plant then, too. Or perhaps you consume a daily morning coffee? Leave a post-it note on your coffee maker as a gentle reminder. If you really don’t trust yourself, invest in a succulent that thrives when watered only when its soil is completely dried out, after up to 10-14 days. If you are still unconvinced, consider that house plants are proven to reduce stress and fatigue. Do we need to say more?
Take a real break on your lunch break
Instead of eating at your desk, grab some coworkers or fly solo and find the nearest park or cluster of trees to eat your lunch in a shady spot. If you prefer to eat at a stable surface (or just in air conditioning), eat first then make your break a short walk. Listening to a good podcast or song queue while enjoying the grand outdoors is sure to make your afternoon work session more inspiring.
Give back to the city
Even concrete jungles need some R&R—in fact, cities often require more upkeep than less densely populated areas in order to preserve remaining natural spaces. Consider volunteering with local groups that pick up litter, plant trees on sidewalks, or organize ocean clean-up efforts. Websites like volunteermatch.org and idealist.org are great places to start to find opportunities tailored to your specific circumstances.
Carve out time for nature.
Once a week or once a month—whatever you have time for—mark your calendar for a low-tech day spent hiking, camping or picnicking. You’ll get to know your city and the surrounding natural spaces in a unique way.