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Now and then, it’s good to reconnect with nature. It’s one of the best ways to ease your mind, put things into perspective, and find clarity in a world with so much confusion. But not everyone can just sit in the woods and find that peace.

Many people still want some kind of stimulation while communing with nature. A sense of adventure is what they really crave. Thankfully, plenty of activities can scratch that itch and help you benefit from your time outdoors.

Hiking

Hiking is an obvious suggestion for connecting with nature, but that’s because it’s one of the best and most accessible options. There are hiking trails for people of all experience and stamina levels. 

You can take your time hiking and soaking up everything around you. It might be a surprise how much you notice that you didn’t before if you make the hike about the hike instead of about finishing it.

Don’t start going off-trail because the risk makes it more exciting; that’s the fastest way to get yourself into trouble. Stay on the path and take your time. Look for places with great views, notice the small things, and breathe.

If you’re looking for local hiking trails, you can check out apps like this one to help you out.

Camping

Camping is a great option because it’s accessible. You can go camping in a small tent or take out a whole RV and do it in style. No matter your budget or what you need for comfort, a night spent in nature is one of the best ways to reconnect.

On top of that, you can combine camping with other activities to keep you busy and enjoy your time.

Yoga

Yoga has many physical and mental benefits, but one of the things that makes it great is that you can do it everywhere. It helps develop awareness, which is one of the best things to help you connect with nature.

Try incorporating some nature into your yoga routine, or carve out some time for yoga the next time you do something else.

There are few experiences as good as a quick yoga session at the top of a mountain you’ve just hiked up.

Spend Time On The Water

People love to spend time on the water. It makes sense because water is so important to our survival, but there’s much more meaning there.

Water is such a powerful force of nature and can sometimes make you feel helpless before it. But that’s a positive and humbling experience that lets you get more in touch with the world around you.

Being by the ocean and taking in its enormous size helps put our problems into perspective. Going down a river puts your mind at ease while you watch the ever-changing flow of the river. Even watching over a peaceful lake or pond puts you at ease.

There are tons of ways to find adventures on the water. One of the most simple ways is to just walk, jog, or run along the water. You can do things that let you go at your own pace, like canoeing, kayaking, or paddleboarding. You can also opt for more thrilling adventures like whitewater rafting, water skiing, and boating.

Even dipping beneath the surface can be an amazing experience. Scuba diving and snorkeling let you glimpse a world you would rarely see and get in touch with the plants and animals that live a world away from us.

Try Something New

Sometimes, one of the best things you can do is to get out of your comfort zone. It helps you learn about yourself, show yourself you can conquer your fears, and gain some new perspectives. Funnily enough, those are some of the same benefits of connecting with nature.

So why not try both at the same time?

There are plenty of adventurous things to do in nature that aren’t extremely popular or common.

Ziplining is a great option. There are plenty of places you can go that all have their own unique charms. Ever wondered what it would be like to be a bird and soar through the treetops? Ziplining is one of the best ways to experience it.

If you want a more physically-demanding adventure, try some rock climbing. Don’t start out scaling cliffs in the backcountry. Get some experience and learn first. It requires a lot of strength and focus, but it comes with a sense of accomplishment, amazing views, and some quality time spent outdoors.

For the truly fearless, skydiving, and bungee jumping are other options.

The point is to do something that scares you a bit.

Other Tips

No matter the activity or adventure you set out on, keep a few things in mind.

While disconnecting from your phone and electronics can better your connection with and appreciation for nature, feel free to take a picture or a video! Nature’s beauty is timeless to behold, and commemorating the experience is highly encouraged. 

Don’t focus on completing the adventure you choose. What I mean is don’t go on a hike with the intent of making it to a certain point or trying to finish it in a certain time. Go for a hike just for the sake of getting out there, and make sure you enjoy it.

Take your time in whatever you do. Sometimes one of the best things you can do is just take a breather and stare up at the clouds for a while, watch the waves roll in, or scan the land below your peak.