Hey earth muffins! If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen that I recently read the book The Nature Fix by Florence Williams. This book was great, as it lays out facts on why nature is good for you in all ways… And I definitely have to agree! Spending even 5 minutes with Mother Nature always improves my mood. Now that the months are getting warmer, here are my suggestions on how you too can get connected to nature this summer. 🌲
Hike
Growing up on the East Coast, I went hiking a lot when I was younger. I live in Michigan now which does have some hiking, just not super gorgeous trails like I was used to. The Upper Peninsula has more mountains than the area I live; but, there are still flat trails all over the place here. I encourage you all to see what hikes are in your area! You might be surprised at how many forests, nature preserves, and parks are accessible to hike in.
Walk
If you don’t consider yourself a hiker and want something a bit easier, then a walk is for you! Head out for 5 minutes, 30 minutes, or even a few hours to just enjoy nature. Instead of listening to music or that latest podcast episode, I suggest walking with no distractions. Look up and out at all the beauty around you!
Stare at water
The East Coast obviously had the gorgeous ocean to look at, but now I have some beautiful lakes. I bet you have some sort of water source nearby – a lake, river, stream, even a puddle will do! Just like with walking, have a no distraction encounter with water. Dip your toes in, attempt to skip rocks, or stare at the shimmering water. Such a great way to stay connected to nature this summer!
Garden
If you want to get up close and personal with nature, then try your hand at gardening. There is something about planting flowers and/or vegetables, pulling weeds, or doing a bit of landscaping that is super rewarding. You get to enjoy the plants, animals, and bugs while also getting a finished product at the end. I know I have been doing more gardening recently now that I have a beautiful backyard to take care of. 😊
Read or write outside
Even on a relaxing day, it is still possible to spend time outside. Lay out in the sun and read a book. Or, do some writing or journaling… You can really do anything outside! Many public parks are even offering free Wifi now, so get those last few hours of work done with nature instead of inside. You might be surprised at how much inspiration you get from a little fresh air.
One of the best things about the summer is getting to spend extra time with nature. Sure, there might be days when the weather is unbearably hot but who says you can’t get up a little earlier to spend a cool morning outside? 😍 Mother Earth is amazing; make sure you take the extra time to stay connected to nature this summer! What is your favorite thing to do outside? Comment below and let me know what your summer plans are!
Love,
Jenna ♥
One thing that I have done a lot of the past few years is kayaking. Nothing hardcore, I just go out and float around a pond or small lake and watch the birds. Love it. #happynow