5 Ways to Deepen Your Spiritual Connection to Nature

Even as a young child, I could sense that my soul was at home in nature and that I had some sort of inexplicable connection to the natural world. About a year ago, I began to explore my spirituality now as an adult and wanted to deepen that connection that I knew was already present, but had gone neglected for quite some time. Read on to learn five ways you can do the same ↠

Now, this also goes for those who have never previously felt drawn to the outdoors but are seeking to establish a connection. I do not claim to be a spiritual adviser, guru, or anything like that, these are just simple ways that I’ve learned to incorporate spirituality into my every day life that I wanted to share for those looking to do the same 🙂 Like I said, it was only about a year ago that I began my path so I am still learning and growing myself.

Allow yourself the time and patience to do the same, and I’m sure you will feel just as liberated and your heart full. Nature has an incredible way of quieting a chaotic mind, filling us with a sense of purpose, and also grounding us. It opens our eyes to the fact that we are a part of something much greater than our trivial day-to-day tasks.

5. Plant Something

Big or small. It could be little potted herbs like in the photo, a house plant, a lush outdoor garden, even your own produce if you’re feeling adventurous…the choice is yours. The process of learning about what you are going to plant, actually planting it, tending to it, and watching it grow can in-turn grow your own appreciation/connection to nature and it’s cycles.

I’ve found that when I have planted something, the appreciation of that intricate process extended outside of my own space and into the rest of the world. I began to acknowledge the beauty of often overlooked things like little wildflowers and the trees I would pass every day without notice.

4. Natural Nourishment

To me, this is one of the most intimate ways one can connect with nature. Seeking natural foods for nourishment is not only good for your body, but your mind and soul too. Learning about what you are putting into your body, where it comes from, and how it was grown/harvested cultivates a deeper appreciation for the food itself and the means necessary to create it.

As I mentioned above, growing your own produce is an incredible thing and if you’re able to do so…go for it! But for some including myself, that just isn’t practical right now.  I would suggest beginning by shopping for produce at local farms/farmers markets. We have a great one nearby called Robert Is Here Fruit Stand, that my boyfriend and I frequent for exotic tropical fruits, vegetables, and jams. Grocery chains often carry items from local farms in your surrounding area, just simply take a peek at the packaging.

3. Grounding/Earthing

According to DrWeil.com, “Earthing” also called “grounding” stems from the idea that in modern city life we no longer have direct physical contact with the Earth, and therefore are losing out on purported health benefits of exchanging electrons with the surface of our planet.”

This was one I was skeptical about at first, I initially told myself this was odd and wasn’t that comfortable with it. But I had to ask myself why I felt that way…this was something I did as a child all the time (and I’m sure many others, too). This is something many of us do at the beach, we dig our toes into the sand and water because it feels good. It’s freeing in a sense to take off your constricting socks & shoes and be exposed to some of the natural elements. With that being said, always be mindful of where you walk. I would personally do this somewhere where I know the chances of stepping on something potentially dangerous would be slim.

2. Outdoor Exercise & Meditation

One of my personal favorites. Though exercising indoors is convenient and we’re able to use our strength training machines and cardio equipment, exercising outdoors poses many benefits…free of charge. Many of those benefits being mental as well as physical. It’s been suggested that exercising outdoors can fill you with a sense of revitalization and increased energy, as well as decreased tension due to not being confined to a certain space. It also allows us to soak up the sun, creating vitamin D3 which is important to bone health and metabolic function. Exposure to the sun during the day can lead to a better night’s sleep, too.

Outdoor meditation is something I have fallen in love with and have been trying to incorporate more into my day-to-day life. Before it got uncomfortably hot here, I would take about 20 minutes almost every day to sit outside with my eyes closed, focused on deep belly-breathing, listening to nature’s sounds and embracing the cool wind. This goes hand-in-hand with the final way (on this list) that we can connect to nature…

1. Gratitude

We can honor and express gratitude for nature in a number of ways. You can do it through meditation, by saying a prayer/mantra to the divine for blessing us with a beautiful planet in which sustains our lives. You can take a stroll outside and simply marvel in the beauty of the great outdoors, acknowledging all of the things and beings that make it whole…each serving a purpose (including your amazing self).

We can also honor this place we all call home by doing our part to protect it. There are many charities and non-profit environmental organizations on a mutual mission to preserve and better our planet. If you’re interested in learning more about some of these organizations, click here.

---

 

“Your deepest roots are in nature.  No matter who you are, where you live, or what kind of life you lead, you remain irrevocably linked with the rest of creation.”

Charles Cook

 

What on this list intrigued you the most? I’d love to know 🙂

xo,