There’s a saying by Lao Tzu that goes, “nature doesn’t hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
When it comes to mindfulness, nature is one of the biggest tools to further enhancing and improving our lives. It is the perfect example of what it means to be present, aware, and focused.
This is because it has the ability to slow everything down and really show us our roots.
So if you’re looking for a way to become more intuned, you may want to turn to the great outdoors.
Being that nature knows no bounds, there are endless lessons it can teach. However, we’ve laid out the top 6 for you here.
6 Lessons From Nature
1. Accepting Change
The seasons show us that everything changes. They allow us to understand that things can’t remain stagnant, and that is a good thing.
As the leaves change in autumn, think of them as a sign that the world is ever-changing and evolving, and so are we.
As the sun shines through in the summer, remember what the autumn leaves felt like.
2. Strength
For me, the ocean has always reminded me of how small I am. It shows me how truly insignificant small feelings or doubt or worry can be in the bigger picture of things.
The little things just don’t always matter.
It’s also taught me to better deal with the unknown. When things get scary, we can move and adjust — just like the ocean. We can be strong and powerful, yet calm and steady.
3. Pace
Nature has always done a great job of teaching me to pace myself.
Oftentimes, I get very hun gup on what is to come. Whether it be my next job, my workout, or even my next apartment.
Whenever I’m worried about the future, I like to find time to immerse myself in nature as a way to remind myself of the beauty of the present.
Finding a quiet, calm place to lay in the grass is a wonderful way to do this. Notice the way the ground feels under your body and fingertips.
Remember, nature is always present.
4. Calm
Sitting down for a few hours at the beach is my personal favorite way to feel the calmness of the earth.
The feeling of the sand underneath my fingertips, the sound of the birds chirping, the soothing echo of the waves.
If you don’t live near a beach, try finding really any boy of water. The sounds of life surrounding waters are sure to ease your mind and remind you to be still.
Or, if you’d like to experience that feeling of sand between your fingers, consider getting yourself a sandbox like the Zen Garden.
5. Sensory Awareness
Oftentimes, we underestimate the importance of our senses. We ignored our basic ability to see, hear, feel, observe.
Spending time in nature, however, is one of the best and most efficient ways to increase a human’s sensory awareness.
Go for a walk. Take note of the things you see, the things touch, the things you smell. Getting into this habit will help you to become more observant and aware of how things make you feel.
6. Focus
Along with a better awareness of our senses, nature can help us to focus on what matters.
It quiets distractions and captures our attention through its uniqueness and beauty. It also shows us what really matters.
Take a moment to immerse yourself in nature without any distractions. This means no cellphones.
Notice the way your focus starts to shift from whatever may have been on your mind, to the present moment you are in. This is a skill you can take with you inside, too!
If you’re looking for a more specific approach to mindfulness in nature, check out our blog post: 5 Exercises to Practice Mindfulness in Nature.
