Enjoying the great indoors: 10 ways to bring Nature to you
It’s 3pm and you’re still on-the-clock. Or maybe you only have an hour to spare, but your nearest park is all the way across town. Or maybe it’s just too hot in your city to comfortably be outside. For whatever reason outside isn’t accessible to you, when you’re in need of a dose of what only Nature can offer, give these activities a try.
If you have 5 minutes
1. Water your houseplants
That living, breathing pseudo-pet on your bookshelf isn’t just an aesthetically pleasing way to freshen your air; they’re as full of feel-good potential as hugging a tree. As you offer it some TLC, tune into how you feel. Is there a smile pulling at the corners of your mouth? Did you naturally feel inclined to take a deep breath? Are your thoughts still on your to-do list, or can you focus, for just a few minutes, on any changes you see in your plant's height, color, fragrance? This simple act of mindfulness can help get you grounded and reset your whole mood.
2. Interact with a pet
If you have a pet, you’re probably already pretty clear on how spending time with them can make that hour in traffic or a burnt lunch seem totally irrelevant. Even a goldfish can be a little piece of Nature’s happiness inside your home. Snuggle up, throw a ball, or have a little chat (it’s totally normal) with your best friend.
3. Let the light in
Experiencing daylight first thing in the morning is an important part of circadian rhythm health—this is the way your body tells time and acts accordingly. Things like a good night’s sleep and the ability to focus are factors of your circadian rhythm. So, take your morning cup of tea near a window, with a side of vitamin D.
4. Buy yourself flowers
The vibrant pops of color and fresh, uplifting aromas are a fast-track to joy. Put them in whatever space you spend the most time in for maximum pleasure!
5. Put on a forest-soundscape playlist
We experience Nature with all five senses. Take a moment to sit in stillness, eyes closed, and listen to birdsong and rustling trees or crashing ocean waves, imagining yourself there, fully immersed in that soul-soothing landscape. Keep the playlist going while you move into your next task to bring that feeling of calm into the rest of your day.
6. Make a cup of tea
A good cup of tea is all in the ingredients. Herbs, flowers, fruits, roots, stems, seeds—even mushrooms—can be used to make a delicious connection with Nature. Want to feel energized and uplifted: try YOGI TEA® Green Energy. Want to feel soothed and relaxed: try YOGI TEA® Ashwagandha Balance. Nature does it all.
If you have an hour
7. Enjoy a plant-centric meal
It’s no longer a secret that the more plants in your diet, the better—but that doesn’t just mean salad. Grilled vegetables with hummus, fresh pasta sauce, a stacked sandwich—let your creativity take over, making this a nutritious experience for your imagination and body.
8. Read
Let your imagination wander into Nature through storytelling. Some great options:
- • Braiding Sweetgrass | Robin Wall Kimmerer
- • The Hidden Life of Trees | Peter Wohlleben
- • A Life on Our Planet | David Attenborough
- • Plant Magick | Jessica Hundley
If you have an entire afternoon.
9. Get crafty
Consider starting a small collection of rocks, shells, preserved flowers—whatever your favorite components of Nature are—to make beautiful things with. A seashell-covered photo frame. Rocks painted in the likeness of where you found them. Naturally tie-dyed anything!
10. Have a tea party
What better way to enjoy a love of Nature than with others? Natural decorations, intentionally paired snacks, and good conversation are all you need to bring the picnic to you.
In a hustling, bustling, concrete-jungle of a world, it can be easy to forget that we’re not just visitors to Nature—we are Nature. So, it doesn’t matter if you’ve got back-to-back meetings all afternoon, or it’s raining in July; Nature is always available to you.
