Immerse Yourself in Nature

When the weather cools down, even in December, it’s a wonderful time to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors, whether that involves hiking through the woods, embarking on a bird-watching expedition, or going to your local park to enjoy nature’s beauty.

In addition to the simple enjoyment of it, studies show that being in nature can benefit you mentally and physically, in part because it can expose you to fresher air and encourage you to get moving. The best part? You can experience these amazing benefits for free—all you need to do is step outside and find a garden, park, or nature trail to explore.

Get a new lease on life

Even just a little time in nature can have restorative effects. For example, Lela Betts, a nature enthusiast from the Philadelphia area, sometimes stops during her drive home from work to visit a park or a small patch of woods near her residence. On weekends, she and her husband enjoy bird-watching both locally and in nearby New Jersey. He brings his camera and telephoto lens to capture beautiful photos of the birds they see. “Walking in nature is so relaxing and diverting,” Betts says.

Whether you trek through an untouched natural oasis close to home or simply take in the sights and scents of a local park, there are many ways to immerse yourself in nature and experience its rejuvenating benefits.

Boost your body

When it comes to our health, it seems that nature knows what’s best for us. Depending on the season, it only takes about ten minutes of midday sunshine to get the recommended amount of vitamin D, a nutrient essential for our overall health, and scientists believe that phytoncides, organic compounds that plants emit into the air, can boost immunity. Being outdoors can also make you feel happier, help you sleep better, and prevent negative health conditions like asthma, heart disease, and obesity. Sunshine may even have a role in boosting T cells, which can help fight infection.

Let your mind wander

Part of the allure of following a quiet path or a winding wooded trail is the opportunity to unplug from the modern world and leave your worries behind. Take a moment to relax, set your thoughts free, and quietly enjoy your surroundings.

Document your adventures

While nature can be relaxing, it also offers endless opportunities for discovery. If you look closely enough, you can observe a world of activity even on a short nature trail or in a small garden patch, such as squirrels foraging for winter, an army of ants marching up the trunk of a tree, or a bird feeding its young. Try being an amateur naturalist for the day with an app like iNaturalist—just snap photos of interesting wildlife and plants (if still in bloom) to add to a database that’s open to naturalists and scientists. On her nature walks and bird-watching expeditions, Betts uses the Merlin Bird ID app to identify and share her bird sightings with birders around the world.

You could also use your creativity to document your experiences, such as by drawing, writing, or journaling what you find. The act of preserving your experience on paper or in an image can be therapeutic—you might find your cares drifting away. Even better, your mementos will give you something concrete to help you always remember the pleasant times you enjoyed.

Travel to new places

While you can spot hundreds of species of plants and wildlife even in your own backyard, your desire to explore nature can take you to exciting places within your state, across the country, or around the world. For instance, you could see migrating birds in the Rio Grande Valley or explore the bayous and swamps of the Barataria Preserve in Louisiana to glimpse alligators, turtles, and other species in their natural habitats.

Try new experiences

Even if you are already a nature buff, you can still discover new opportunities to enjoy everything nature has to offer. For example, looking up at the stars during a clear, moonlit winter nature walk can fill you with a sense of peace and awe.

Venture wisely

There are many benefits to being in nature, but there are some drawbacks too. Remember to protect your eyes and skin, even in winter, from sun damage by wearing sunglasses and sunscreen, and be sure to bring layers in case the temperatures drop during your excursion.

The benefits of spending a day or evening in nature are virtually endless, so be sure to get outside and enjoy everything the great outdoors has to offer.