Last week I spent a few days in San Francisco while my husband was working a conference there, and though I had a wonderful time, the trip reminded me of how fast-paced and chaotic life can be. From rushing to get packed and get the house cleaned before leaving, to worrying about getting to the airport on time, to navigating unfamiliar public transit and walking through the bustling, wild heart of downtown San Fran to find the hotel- and then even in the hotel to be constantly reminded of the busy world outside by the shouts and dinging of the trollies down bellow… well, it was definitely a reminder that I would not enjoy living downtown in such a densely compact city.

My time there made me consider the people who do live in and enjoy those places, and where they find their peace. Where all of us find our peace. I spent one day at the beach and it was so obvious to me how much different I felt listening to the waves, slowing down and journaling, soaking up the sun and nature in one of its purest forms. The world is full of loud, fast-paced living: concerts, bars, travel, work, the constant pull of social media- and there’s nothing inherently wrong with these things. In healthy amounts, we often thrive on them. But we all also need time (some of us more time than others) to slow down and reconnect. I find I feel the most creative, recharged, and grounded when I practice this by spending regular time in nature, away from external chaos.

Living in Salt Lake City with an entire mountain range only minutes from my home, I'm thankful that time in nature is easily accessible to me and I try to get up there or to a local park with my dog at least once a week. But even if you don’t live next to the mountains or the beach, there are still plenty of ways to get outside!

Here are 5 ideas on how you can reconnect with nature and slow down despite a crazy and fast-paced world.

Meaningful time outside

Make a point of spending time outside, and be mindful about it. Spend some time sound bathing in nature, listening to the birds, the leaves, the water. Take your lunch break outside to get some fresh air. If you like to paint or write or make art, bring it out on your patio- nature always seems to give me a creative boost and I highly recommend it.

Here are some other soul-nourishing things to do outside:

  • Read a book
  • Meditate
  • Walk/run/hike
  • Journal
  • Have a picnic
  • Start a garden

Go barefoot (also known as “earthing”)

This was a trend for a while (perhaps it still is?), and there’s actually some science behind it. I’ve seen several articles claiming earthing leads to better sleep, healthier blood pressure, higher immunity levels, and less stress. It’s also been shown to change the electrical activity in the brain. Mother Earth has her own natural charge and energy, and we do better when we are connected to it. The best way to do this is bare contact with the earth. Go walk barefoot. Go lay in a field. Go hug some trees. You’ll feel better.

Grow something inside

Bring nature inside to you with houseplants or growing herbs in your windowsill. This is great especially during winter. Sticking my hands in the soil and doing some repotting provides that earth connection without having to go out in the cold.

I love houseplants and will be doing a post soon on easy houseplants for cleaner air- join the email list to make sure you don’t miss it!

Visit plant stores

The outdoors is not always easily accessible to everyone, and not everyone has the time, skills, or space in their home for growing things. But thankfully plant stores are accessible to everyone, just about anywhere. Local greenhouses are my favorite, otherwise a stroll through the plant section at Lowes will do.

Forage or pick your own food

If you live somewhere with local produce like apple orchards or strawberry fields, see if there are any U-pick farms nearby! This is on my list of things I’d like to do next year, as well as mushroom foraging. Picking your own food is a great way to spend time outside while learning a better understanding and appreciation for the food you’re eating. Plus, you get some delicious, fresh food without having to garden it yourself. If you’re foraging in the wild make sure to do your research and know exactly what you’re looking for... poisoning yourself would really kill the vibe. Better yet, go with an experienced forager!

I hope these ideas inspired you and you’ll take some time this week to reconnect with nature!