This weekend my husband I visited a truly “magical” place. Opus 40 was created by hand over four decades by visionary artist and Bard College professor Harvey Fite. It is a 6 acre sculpture you can become immersed in and 60 acres of walking trails which also house some of his sculptures. It was about 2 hours from us and is about 2 hours from NYC and WOW it was well worth the drive. If you are ever in the Woodstock, NY area or can plan a trip here – you will NOT be disappointed.

Growing up in Manhattan in New York City I realized the power of getting outside with nature. Central Park, Carl Schurz Park (where Gracie Mansion is and the Mayor of NYC usually resides) and even the garden on the roof of my 5 story walk up apartment building were my getaways. After visiting any of those places I would feel revitalized. I’ve been living in upstate, NY for over 20 years with nature all around me. I am very grateful I need to just look out my window to be amazed by the beautiful trees and greenery. I have learned over the last 20 years — nature is one of the easiest places to feel at peace, be still and connect with the world as a whole. Even if you are ill or have limited mobility there are ways to connect with nature that will enliven you. Nature can heal and relax you in so many ways — here are 10 of my favorite ways to connect with nature.

1) Walking: Whether alone or walking a dog, walking is great for you and gives you time to be quiet and let your mind wander. I have written about walking and what it means to me previously. Growing up a city girl I loved to walk and it was typical to walk several miles in one day without even thinking about it. Now that I am in a suburban/rural area I have to become more conscious that I am getting my walking in. I am lucky enough to live by a park that I can walk to and use for walks either in the woods or in more open spaces. If you are ill, walking may seem difficult but even a short walk down your block/road or driveway and back will get your heart pumping and will let you experience different scenery. Getting out and breathing fresh air is healing and will change your mood and inspire you. Walking can be very meditative when you are alone if you are able to stay in the moment and just take in your surroundings. I also greatly enjoy walks with my husband, friends or my family as a way to connect with them.

2) Exercise: There are so many wonderful exercises to do outside. Take advantage of the nice weather and explore an activity or sport you have been interested in. I took up cross country skiing when I knew I would be living in a climate that is cold 6 months out of the year. Get a friend interested in doing something with you — jog, shoot basketball hoops at a local park, play pickleball! Anything but get out and work up a sweat in the great outdoors! Even throwing a Frisbee will get your heart rate up and bring a smile to your face.

3) Gardening: I was brought up in NYC where I had the least green thumb of anyone I knew. If a plant or flowers were brought into my apartment — I felt it was being given a death sentence. Now, understanding my self talk better — I realize a lot of that came from me saying to myself “I can’t grow anything”. When you state something repeatedly and believe it — it usually will come true! When we moved upstate I told myself I would learn how to garden. I am still learning, but my husband and I have some beautiful perennials and keep a vegetable and herb garden every summer. My hope when we relocate is to go to my garden when I need a salad for ALL the ingredients. When my hands are in the dirt during gardening I feel transported and very relaxed. Not to mention it can be a heck of a workout — pulling weeds, digging holes, pushing a wheelbarrow around, squatting, raking and watering can all make those muscles burn. If you live in a city you can maintain plants and herbs in your house or volunteer to help out at a community garden.

4) Sit Under a Tree, in the Grass or near flowers and JUST BE: It is meditative to just sit and be with nature. Spend some time around something you find beautiful. I had a client who was very limited physically but had a few plants she would sit with daily to connect to nature. Whether it is a park or even a plant in your living space, there is always a way to connect in and feel nature’s healing abilities.

5) Read or Listen to Music Outside: When I ran my desktop publishing business in NYC I was lucky enough to set my own hours. I would wake up at 6AM and work until 11AM. I would then walk to Central Park (5 blocks from my apt.) and relax from 11:15-1:15 and then return home refreshed to put in a another few hours of work. Sometimes I would people watch but mostly I would read, listen to my discman (no mp3 players or phones then) and rejuvenate myself. I would let go of the work I had done and not think about the work I was going back to. I now still keep my own schedule and do my best to book in time in my hammock to read or listen to a song or two daily. Even a few minute rejuvenates!

6) Be Near or in Water: Whether it is swimming, kayaking (my favorite), canoeing or just sitting on a beach or by a lake … water has a soothing aspect to it. As you may know I also consider the SHOWER a powerfully healing time due to the power of this element. (My book, “The 3 Minute Shower Reset: 21 Days to Inner Peace” will be released in October). Listening to water can be relaxing. The time yesterday walking and seeing the beautiful water elements as I posted above were deeply healing.

7) Picnic: There is something about eating outside on a picnic blanket that can make you smile. Treat yourself if you don’t want to pack up the whole family… pack a few healthy snacks and some water and a blanket and be outside and enjoy your next meal.

8) Meet Up with a Friend(s): Just sitting outside and noticing the world around you with a friend or friends brings new topics to mind and gives you a new kind of energy than just sitting in the house. Agree to meet up with a friend at a local park or if you have a backyard meet up there to relax together. My husband and I after we just started dating would meet up at the park that was in between where we both lived. I remember that excitement seeing him coming toward me and the conversation was always full. There have been many times in my life where I had weekly walks with friends. It is always healing!!

9) Go to a Playground and Swing on the Swings: Yes you might have to go after hours to ensure not getting the children too upset. 😉 But swinging on a swing can be freeing and fun. The pumping of your legs as the movement takes you higher is liberating and I can never imagine being sad while swinging in a swing.

10) Go to an Open Field or Top of a Tall Building: The park near my house when I first moved upstate was an airplane field so when I was in it I could look up and see mountains all around me and realized just how small I was in the scheme of things. The same is true when you go to a tall building and look down and all the people, vehicles and other smaller buildings. You can accomplish the same thing by looking up at the stars at night. When you realize just how vast this Universe is, even your “biggest problem” can shrink down to miniature status.

These are ten of my favorite ways to enjoy nature. Being outside has healing and relaxing qualities, the sun’s Vitamin D and the feel of fresh air in your lungs…. Being with nature has helped some of my “grandest dilemmas” shrink away to nothing. Try some of these outdoor activities and feel, enjoy and be grateful for nature’s soothing and healing qualities.

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