3 Ridiculously Easy Ways to Reconnect With Nature on a Tight Schedule
You're motivated to improve your health by reconnecting with nature.
However, running a business takes so much of your time that you don't know how you could possibly get outside more often.
What if you discovered that nature could improve your mental performance and sense of purpose at work?
Even better, what if you could reap these benefits without significantly changing your workday?
Yes, even you, a super-busy entrepreneur, can find easy ways to get outside every day.
Curious? In this blog, you’ll discover:
What happens mentally and emotionally when you reconnect with nature
Why it's so important to get outside more as an entrepreneur
Some super simple tips to help you feel connected to the outdoor world
In short, you’ll know how to start reconnecting with nature, even when your calendar is booked.
Everyone Can Reconnect With Nature
People's preconceived notions about what reconnecting with nature look like can be limiting. That's why it's so important to understand how versatile and personal this process is.
You don’t have to live in acres of leafy forest. You can spend time near the ocean, a local trail, or even a city park.
The point is to take advantage of whatever natural landscape you have around you. Whether you live in a rural, suburban, or urban area doesn’t matter.
In fact, Trent University psychologist Lisa Nisbet says that spending time in urban nature can be just as beneficial as time in more rural settings.
So, how much time should you spend outside to reap the benefits? Yale states that two hours a week is all you need.
It’s up to you whether you get it in all at once or sprinkle your time throughout the week. (Although, with your busy schedule, you might want to spread it out.)
Yale also notes that two hours is a “hard boundary.” This means that you need to spend at least two hours outside to feel a difference.
What Happens When You Reconnect With Nature
Now it's time to dig into how getting outside more boosts your mental and emotional health.
Mental and emotional health is at the forefront of every entrepreneur’s mind because it plays such a huge role in running a business.
For example, your stress levels, memory, and attention span determine how productive you are during day-to-day tasks.
As your own boss, you don't have anyone else setting the pace or telling you what your daily schedule looks like. While this kind of independence is a huge benefit, it also means that taking care of yourself is doubly important.
So, reconnecting with nature is not simply a nice thing to do, it's necessary for all entrepreneurs.
That being said, let’s talk about mental benefits:
Cognitive development
Improved attention
Better memory
Lower stress
These perks are all connected. Since you’re not spending all that energy thinking about what’s worrying you, you can focus on the tasks ahead free of distraction.
Imagine how much better your workday would be if you had a better attention span, improved memory, and less stress.
Think about it – you would buy a tool if it saved you time and effort, wouldn’t you?
So, why not invest in nature, a free resource that helps you function better on the job? For those who want to level up their business flow, this is more than a fair deal.
And these aren't the only benefits. The American Psychological Association (APA) discusses the emotional perks of reconnecting with nature:
Increased sense of purpose and meaning
Greater feeling of well-being
More positive social interactions
Emotional health is a huge element of entrepreneurship. Some solo entrepreneurs experience loneliness and doubt the value of their work. However, this does not have to become a problem for you.
A case study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health concluded that people with few social connections still feel satisfied and happy when they spend time in nature regularly.
In addition, who doesn’t want to feel fulfilled at their job and know that what they are doing is important?
According to the APA, all these benefits apply equally across every age group and demographic.
Between better mental performance and a greater sense of purpose and connection, getting outside is a no-brainer.
How to Reconnect With Nature as a Busy Entrepreneur
Most people have an all-or-nothing mindset when it comes to spending time outside. They imagine spending the whole weekend camping or hiking steep trails.
However, you don't have to spend all your free time outdoors.
For instance, walking a few times a week can be as beneficial as a hiking trip.
Here’s the point: reconnecting with nature isn’t an all-consuming hobby that’s separate from your everyday life.
In fact, the key to successfully getting outside is to incorporate it into your schedule.
The following three simple tips have busy entrepreneurs like you in mind. They don’t take a lot of time and are designed to either fit into your workday or be done while you work:
1) Personalized chunks:
One of the easiest ways to incorporate nature into your workflow is to break it up into small chunks.
For most workers, the best times would be in the morning and midday. It won't interrupt your work because you can complete each chunk in as little as a minute or two.
You can always spend more time, but the beauty of this tip is that you can personalize it.
Here's an example of what this might look like:
Morning: Open up your windows and step outside.
It’s a smart idea to start your day with a bit of nature, rather than telling yourself that you’ll do it after your day is done.
This sets the tone for the rest of your day.
Midday: When working from home, you have many opportunities to reconnect with nature.
Go outside and take a few deep breaths for a minute or two every few hours. We all need breaks during the work day, so why not spend them in nature?
You can also take a short walk during your lunch break. Work outside, even if it’s only for one task per day. On rainy days, work near a window so you can look outside and observe nature.
See how simple this is?
When done regularly, each of these little practices can add up to the recommended two hours a week.
2) Consider all the senses:
People experience the world through their senses. While sight is one of the primary ways to observe nature, don’t underestimate the power of sound.
The APA cites a study that concluded listening to natural sounds (like crashing waves) helped people perform better on tests than those who listened to non-nature sounds (like traffic).
This study is a perfect example of how reconnecting to nature through sound is beneficial.
Try implementing this in your own life. Play a nature soundtrack throughout the day instead of listening to music. You don't have to listen all day, but try it for a specific amount of time, such as a half hour.
Your lunch break or next work session are both great times to try this out. You’ll feel more focused and productive because your brain will be calm and ready to take on tasks.
3) Get an outdoor pet plant:
The beauty of having an outdoor plant is that it doesn’t take as much time and effort as a garden.
It can be as simple as one small potted plant.
While indoor house plants are a good choice, outdoor plants are preferable because they get you outside. (But you can always have both!) The basic act of watering and tending to your little leafy friend is a simple way to reconnect to nature.
Make it even easier with these tips:
Purchase a pre-potted plant.
Choose something hardy that doesn't need a lot of attention.
Herbs like basil, chives, cilantro, and mint are good options.
If you're looking for a vegetable, try tomato plants.
It’s Okay to Start Small
Start by incorporating one of the tips above.
For example, you could try taking a walk during your lunch break or you could get an outdoor plant.
It doesn't matter what you do, as long as you're reconnecting with nature for two hours a week.
Don’t deprive yourself of nature’s mental and emotional benefits.
You don’t need a lot of time to implement them…
so start today!
