7 Days of Indoor & Outdoor Nature Based Activities
When the topic of interacting with nature arises, where does your imagination take you? Do you envision yourself fully immersed in the wilderness, perhaps hiking through dense forests or swimming in the ocean? Or does the concept of connecting with nature leave you with no clear image?
Whether you have a specific vision of how you prefer to spend time outdoors or if you're unfamiliar with nature-based activities altogether, Nature and Human Health Utah aims to emphasize the importance of prioritizing time spent in natural environments. While Utah boasts remarkable outdoor recreation opportunities and stunning natural landscapes, accessibility to these spaces isn't universal. Due to this inequity, the health benefits of nature often go overlooked within the community.
I dedicated seven days to experimenting with various ways of engaging with nature. From skiing and snowy walks to meditative practices and listening to nature sounds indoors, I sought to cover a diverse range of experiences. My goal was to compare the effects of physically being in nature with the experience of engaging with it indoors through visual and auditory means. While I had some preconceived notions about how these activities would make me feel, I was pleasantly surprised by the outcomes.
Day 1: A snowy walk around the neighborhood
Goals:
get outside
no distractions (music, podcasts, texting, or calling anyone)
be mindful about the way this walk is making me feel (emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially)
Feelings: calm, content, energized, grateful
Takeaways: On this particular day, I reluctantly decided to brave the cold and snowy weather for a walk. The thought of bundling up didn't excite me, but I resolved to push through and step outside. I reasoned with myself that if the winter chill became unbearable, I could always retreat back home. Despite the initial shock of the cold, I found myself wandering around my neighborhood for about 30 minutes. I observed the birds fly from tree to tree and smiling at other folks getting their daily dose of time outside. As I strolled, I had the opportunity for uninterrupted introspection and to simply just be. Upon returning home, I was pleasantly surprised by a surge of contentment and vitality. The earlier feelings of dread had dissipated, replaced by a deep enjoyment of the experience.
Day 2: Skiing at Brighton Resort & Employee Interviews
Goals:
spend time outside and exercising
talk with other skiers and snowboarders about their experience working somewhere predominantly outdoors
be mindful about the way this walk is making me feel (emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially)
Feelings: energized, happy, inspired, connected, socially charged,
Takeaways: On this day, I was able to head up the mountain for some skiing. For about four hours, I relished the solitude and freedom to explore the snow. As expected, I found myself connected to nature and appreciative of the natural beauty at my fingertips. Each breath of crisp, fresh air was accompanied by a profound sense of gratitude for what was in front of me.
I had the opportunity to discuss how working outside impacts two Brighton Resort Employees. (See the interview results here)
Day 3 & 4: Nature Meditation (1 indoor & 1 outdoor)
(Here is the Nature Meditation Guide that I used)
(Here is another Guided Meditation that I used)
Goals:
explore the difference between indoor and outdoor meditation
focus on the senses and really try to not overthink the experience (just be)
be mindful about the way this walk is making me feel (emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially)
Feelings: content, inspired, spiritually fulfilled, reflection, existential, analytical
Takeaways: With minimal experience in guided meditations or meditation in general, I approached this activity with an open-mind. Following a meditation guide, I participated in two practices: one outdoors with eyes open, and another indoors with eyes closed. Both sessions emphasized the simple act of witnessing without allowing the mind to wander. Despite the challenge of resisting the urge to overanalyze and dissect every passing thought, I tried to remain present. Outdoors, amidst distractions and heightened awareness, I found moments of appreciation for the experience. Conversely, indoors, as I closed my eyes and visualized myself in a tranquil grassy field, I just allowed my imagination to take over. Immersing myself fully, I dedicated 5-10 minutes to simply experiencing the sensations.
Interestingly, the indoor meditation left me feeling more peaceful and content than the meditation outdoors.
Day 5&6: Nature Sounds (1 indoor & 1 outdoor)
(Here is the Nature Sounds Recording that I used)
Goals:
recorded nature sounds versus actually listening to sounds of nature, in nature
be mindful about the way this walk is making me feel (emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially)
Feelings: present, happy, silly, child-like,
Takeaways: I initially dismissed the idea of listening to recorded nature sounds, thinking I could simply step outside to experience the real thing. However, I failed to consider the other noises and distractions that accompany outdoor environments. Unless in a remote wilderness setting, one cannot escape the combination of people, traffic, and machinery. Yet, using headphones and immersing myself in carefully curated recordings of nature, I discovered a profound remedy. While the experience of pure, unadulterated sounds of nature remain unparalleled, they’re not always accessible. Therefore, tuning into these recordings offered a boost in my overall well-being in ways I hadn't anticipated.
Day 7: Nature Art
Goals:
tap into the creative side of your brain
have fun and feel inspired
be mindful about the way this walk is making me feel (emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially)
Feelings: creative, present, uninterrupted, happy
Takeaways: This was an enjoyable experience. I decided to create a collage representing what nature means to me. Utilizing clippings from newspapers, magazines, and various other materials, I reflected on my recent explorations of different ways to connect with nature. As I pieced together my collage, I couldn't help but envision immersing myself in my ideal natural environment, capturing the essence of those blissful moments spent in nature over the past few days.
Conclusion
There are numerous reasons to engage with nature, and from my experiences of the past week, it's evident that one doesn't necessarily have to be physically immersed in nature to reap its health benefits. I've discovered contentment, happiness, and overall boosts in well-being by simply meditating indoors or listening to nature sounds. While nothing quite compares to the beauty of being outdoors, it's reassuring to know that similar feelings of joy and excitement can be elicited from alternative experiences. You don't have to venture into the wilderness to experience these positive effects. I encourage everyone to explore different avenues of connecting with nature. Try something new, whether it's a nature-inspired activity indoors or a creative expression of your connection to the natural world, and take time to reflect on how it impacts your well-being.
