It all starts with one breath, a pause, where you allow yourself to simply exist. When you no longer try to prove your worth and you give yourself permission to just be. That moment can seem like a lifetime – because it changes everything. It alters how you perceive the rest of your day, how you carry yourself, and how you interact with your surroundings. That’s why it’s important to take a break and try to reconnect with nature.
When we breathe, we ground ourselves.
Today’s technologically driven world full of grind culture causes us to forget to breathe. Thankfully our bodies do it automatically, but modern society neglects the power of deep breaths. Mindful inhales and exhales do more than merely keep us alive – they rejuvenate our mind, body, and soul.
To reconnect with ourselves, we have to reconnect with the natural world. We’re part of nature, and whenever we disconnect from our breath, we disconnect from the beings that give us that breath – the plants that release oxygen, the soil that swaddles the plants, and the water that nourishes the plants.
To reconnect with nature, we can use our senses with more intention.
We limit our ability to connect when we look down at our phones rather than up, at our surroundings. As we rush through life, we forget to use all five senses – eyesight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste.
1. Eyesight:
Just looking at a landscape photo can be calming (that’s why so many devices come with nature-based wallpapers). But sight can be taken a step further: go outside and observe. Pay attention to even the slightest movement, such as the gradual fall of a leaf or the calculated journey of a snail. You’ll begin to see things you didn’t before, and that’s where you’ll find inspiration.
2. Smell:
Smell the flowers. Literally. Smell their perfumes and others, like the salt of the ocean breeze and the aroma of your tea or coffee – after all, everything we consume comes from the Earth. Smell helps ingrain memories into our brains, so let’s ingrain the delicious fragrances of our blue and green home.
3. Hearing:
Even when it’s tranquil and seemingly still, nature is constantly moving and, therefore, making continuous noise. Don’t just hear but listen to the evening calls of creek frogs as they notify you of sundown. Go underwater and listen to the crackling of busy coral cities. My mom taught me the beauty of rushing water, and now I always close my eyes to listen to the river as it seamlessly cascades over rocks and logs. These are the sounds of energy coursing through nature.
4. Touch:
Don’t be afraid to become a tree hugger. Touch is a love language, and what our planet needs right now is more love. When we interact with the natural world, we act out our admiration for it. Respectfully demonstrate your affection as you would to a loved one.
5. Taste:
Taste the sweetness of the Earth. Everything we eat comes from soils or oceans. No matter how many artificial ingredients we add, everything edible originates from the planet. So why not taste all the elements? Gather food as close to its source as possible by supporting local small-scale farmers or growing your own food.
When we unwrap the potential of our five senses, we gain an understanding of our place in nature. Daily tasks become meditations. A walk at the park evolves into a vibrant journey when you observe, smell the plants, listen to the birds sing, touch the grass with your bare feet, and taste the juiciness of ripe fruit.
Let’s rebuild our relationships with the beings that give us life.
