Sophie Casenave shares some tips on how to connect with nature between your hikes.
Hello, my name is Sophie and I have a mission: to help each of us (re)connect and take care of Nature. Because it’s good for us and it’s good for the planet – win-win! (yes, read my bio below and you will see that I am unapologetically a self-confessed environmentalist!)
If you follow London BackpackersI’m pretty sure you’re like me: addicted to the outdoors!
You know it’s what makes you breathe deeply, smile, relax, put things into perspective and generally feel better about yourself, calmer, happier. It really is like a drug.
And when it’s been too long since you’ve seen a mountain, the sea, or just a field with cows or sheep, your legs start to itch, you become irritable, you start to feel the tension in your shoulders (it’s funny, that’s enough, you have no problem carrying a big backpack in nature)… We have to get back to Nature!
The problem is that sometimes, for a whole host of reasons, we just can’t get out of town.: a loved one really needs you to stay close; a baby is on the way; you’re in the middle of a big project at work or at home; you broke your leg; your bank account is already in the red even before the 15th of the month; your partner gave you an ultimatum: he wouldn’t allow you an extra getaway for at least 3 months… we all go through similar times at some point! So what can you do?
The only solution, in times like these, when you cannot go to nature, is to let nature come back into your daily life.
The secret to staying sane is to adapt what you do each day, multiple opportunities for contact with natural elementssmall points of contact, I call them, and I repeat them every day.
And the other secret is actually to notice when nature is close to you…. After all, we are all so good at speeding through our daily lives, heads down to be more productive, that we forget that even in the middle of a big city, nature is all around us! We take this for granted as we dream of big adventures.
With this in mind, here are some suggestions you can apply to let nature reintegrate into your daily life.
1. SEE THE LIGHT AND GET OUT!
Try to get as much natural light as possible during the day. It’s good for your mind and your body.
If it’s warm enough, try exposing your arms and legs to the sun. Think of all the vitamin D you will produce! Exposure to daylight will also increase your production of serotonin (a natural antidepressant) and help regulate your sleep. This means walking to work, or if it’s too far, getting off public transportation a few stops early, or parking your car a little further away and walking the rest of the way.
At lunch, go out to eat your sandwich, instead of staying inside and checking your Facebook notifications or Twitter feed at your desk. If you have a park nearby, that’s fantastic. Go for a ten-minute walk there every day, or sit on a bench; to slow down; take a few deep breaths in and out.
Clear your mind to focus on where you are, on what is around you; listen to the breeze rustling in the trees, the birds singing, even the sound of cars in the background; open your senses. If you want, visit the same place every day and start noticing seasonal changes.
And on the weekends, explore the city to find a little of what you want. Catherine’s guide to walking around London is very practical!
2. BRING THE OUTSIDE INSIDE
You really can’t go out? Bring the outside in. Research shows that employees who have potted plants near their desks are more productive and less likely to take sick leave. A quick Google search for “office plants” will show you plenty of options for low-maintenance greenery. Read: these plants would be difficult to kill!
If you can, position your desk so that you have a view of trees or grass.
You can also apply this option to your home. Bringing plants into your home is an easy way to invite nature inside. For example, you can grow aromatic herbs in pots in your kitchen on your windowsill: basil, mint, coriander, chives, etc. Or buy freshly cut flowers. If you like the idea of regular delivery to your home, check out Bloom & Wild.
If you have some daylight in your bathroom, add an orchid; this plant loves humidity!
Bring in fresh air: as much as you can, open the windows, at least 10 minutes a dayespecially in your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and your work space. Oxygen helps your brain be creative!
If you really can’t go outside, listen to the birdsong or the sound of the ocean, through your headphones if necessary. You can find great songs to download online (or buy a CD).
Use an image of your favorite landscape as a background on your phone, tablet or computer: research shows that even looking at a depiction of nature is good for our minds!
You can also start coloring: the success of stress-relieving adult coloring books that depict elaborate natural environments is also part of our desire to reconnect with nature. There are a multitude of books of this type on the market. My favorites are those by Johanna Basford.
3. EAT AND DRINK WELL
Eat fresh products, ideally local (therefore seasonal) and organic. A meta-study conducted by Newcastle University and published in the British Journal of Nutrition concluded that organic crops have significantly higher concentrations of antioxidants than non-organic crops; they also contain less cadmium (a toxic heavy metal) and fewer pesticides. And organic dairy and meat have been shown to have a better fat profile than traditional options.
Check here to see if you have a farmers market in your neighborhood. They’re great for connecting with people who know what’s growing and when, who can make recommendations and share recipes. Not only will it be good for you inside (as part of your 5 a day plan); but touching fresh fruits and vegetables, smelling them, tasting them while preparing them… all this is also good for the soul. Being mindful of what we eat is a key part of noticing the nature around us.
For convenience, you can sign up for an organic box delivery program. I’ve had one for years and order it regularly when life gets busy and I still want to eat healthy. They now offer delicious, easy-to-follow, step-by-step recipes.
Drink lots of water, your body is made of it! If you find water too boring, pour it into a jug and add slices of lemon or cucumber, or a few sprigs of fresh mint, or a few cut strawberries. It’s delicious!
4. Beware of bad guys you don’t see
By that I mean all the chemicals that surround us. The worst offenders are the ones you will stay in contact with for a long time. Most air fresheners you’ll breathe for hours are loaded with chemicals: acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde are both carcinogens; propylene glycol, a neurotoxin; etc.
Why not just make a potpourri of dried lavender or dried roses after summer? Orange or clementine peels and cinnamon sticks are perfect for winter. Or burn essential oils in an oil burner; Eucalyptus or lavender oils work well to purify the air. Mandarin and ginger oils are great for eliminating cooking odors.
Carefully examine the cosmetic products you apply to your skin, as the ingredients can pass into your bloodstream. Opt for the most natural formulas possible. Many chemicals found in cosmetics are suspected of being carcinogens or endocrine disruptors (potentially interfering with your hormonal system). Opt for brands that don’t add parabens, silicones and mineral oils and use organic ingredients whenever possible. Don’t just go for packaging that claims “organic”, check the percentage, as any product can call itself organic if only 1% of its ingredients are certified as organically produced!
I’m a big fan of organic coconut oil as a makeup remover, it works very well even on waterproof mascara! You can also make your own face mask, body scrub or toothpaste. Google is a great tool for finding recipes. I have shared some face mask recipes on my blog. Have fun and experiment!
Most importantly, learn to appreciate the nature around you, even in the city, while you plan your next trip to the hills.
Do you like what you just read? Do you want more? I regularly organize a “Nature Challenge: 28 days to be happier and healthier”. The challenge guides you to experiment with ways to add a touch of nature to your daily life, so you can experience all the benefits of a more natural way of living. If you would like to learn more and find out when the next challenge will start, please visit the challenge registration page.
A true free spirit, Sophie Casenave Does not fit easily into a box! Having many interests in life, she plays to her strengths as a natural lifestyle mentor. She is a self-confessed environmentalist, addicted to the outdoors; she loves connecting with and supporting people; Through her studies (M.Sc. Arch: AEES), she has developed expertise in the impact of the built environment on people’s well-being and she currently enjoys learning about positive psychology and ecotherapy. Above all, she is free and happy by nature and she wants to spread this feeling 🙂
Blog and website: www.sophiecasenave.com
Facebook: HappybyNature
Instagram: Sophie Casenave
Profile photo of Sophie taken by Rachel V Photography