Get Moving
Your mental and physical health will thank you for taking the time to get outside and move. You'll get a rush of endorphins and be able to fall asleep more easily at the end of the day, which is good because it's much easier to enjoy being close to nature when you're well-rested. Instead of going on a run on your treadmill, go running outdoors.
Instead of doing yoga in your living room, do yoga somewhere with fresh air—maybe even on top of a mountain if that's possible. And if you've never run or done yoga before but have been wanting to try those things out, now's the perfect time to start!
Spend Time Outside
If you live in a city, you're going to have to make a point to be outside, even if it's just for a few minutes. Pop out on foot to find out which smoothie is the best: Smoothie King vs. Tropical Smoothie Cafe? The benefits of fresh air and vitamin D light are too good to pass up, so how much time should you spend outside?
The average amount of time spent outdoors is about 10 minutes. If you're in the car on your way home from work or running an errand, then 10 minutes can easily fit into your day.
Get Great Sleep
Your body is designed to sleep deeply and awaken refreshed. Yet, many of us have trouble sleeping through the night because we're trying to fit "one more thing in" before bed. To help you reset your body clock, try these tips for better sleep:
- Avoid caffeine after noon.
- Power down an hour before bedtime.
- If you still have trouble sleeping, try adding some white noise like an air purifier or fan to create a consistent ambient sound level.
Develop a Routine
One of the best ways to ensure your life becomes more attuned to the rhythms of nature is to establish a new routine. Humans are creatures of habit. Creating a daily practice that incorporates the beauty and wonder of the natural world will help you feel like you're becoming one with it.
Habit formation happens in four stages in your brain: cue, craving, response, and reward. Studies have shown that it takes about one month for a habit to stick—so if you want to get serious about spending time enjoying nature each day, be sure to keep up with your on-purpose activities for at least 30 days.
There You Have It
Whether it's getting a massage or cooking yourself a fancy dinner, do something nice that helps you feel proud of what you've accomplished. Enjoying the fruits (and flowers) of your labor will help ensure your hard work keeps growing into the future!
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