Five Fun Ways to Reconnect with Nature

If you live in a busy city, drive a car, have too many meetings and sit in an office all day it’s easy to be disconnected with the nature around you. But the chipmunks, butterflies, waterfowl, song birds and armadillos are all around. So is the life-giving earth you walk upon.

Taking time out to get in touch with your inner tree can really keep you inspired to be green.

How can you reconnect with nature? Many ways, and they don’t all require getting dirty. I know your next meeting may be in five minutes, so here’s a quick list:

1. Hang a recycled bird feeder near a favorite window and watch the birds as you eat breakfast.

2. Host a houseplant exchange adventure at work. To start, co-workers take a new or beloved houseplant to work and sit it on a table. During the day, everyone quietly selects a different plant. Repeat one day each month. Soon, everyone will know many plants while only taking care of one at a time. If you kill the plant, just replace it! Assigning each plant a small journal to accompany it in its travels is nice as well. A cooperative and forgiving spirit is required.

3. Pick your own strawberries. Many farmers let you do this, and they often sell you the berries at a reduced price for picking your own. You must pick strawberries at least once in your life. Strawberries are now ready in California, Texas and Florida!

4. Walk through a plant nursery at lunch. The smell of green and water will refresh you. Plus, you can slowly study new plants.

5. Watch Planet Earth. I don’t recommend many DVDs, but this mini-series takes you where you can’t go yourself, cleverly opening your eyes to hundreds of wonders in nature.

Are you going to try any of these? Please let us know if it helps you feel connected with nature.

Chipmunk image via flickr. Stawberry image via stock.xchng.