Nature: Bring the Outdoors In

If it is challenging for you to access nature for any reason, there are plenty of ways to connect with the natural world and reap the benefits right from the comfort of your own home.

Here are some simple yet effective methods to infuse your surroundings with the essence of nature: 

• Feed birds from your windowsill - blackbirds love raisins, and they have the most beautiful song so are great birds to attract.

• Sit in a ray of sunshine and notice its warmth. Take a moment to reflect on how far this light has come to warm you.

• Use essential oils to experience the scents of nature. Put a few drops in your bath, a diffuser or mix a few drops with a carrier oil (like almond or coconut oil) to make a simple skin moisturiser.

• Bring some plants into your home. They are not just lovely to look at and give us an opportunity to nurture a living being, they are also air purifiers and natural mood boosters.

• Grow some herbs. They bring nature into your house and you can use them to nourish yourself. A lovely herb to grow is mint - it smells great and you can use the leaves for tea.

• Add some images of natural spaces in your home, or even change your device wallpapers to a nature scene. Even viewing natural environments this way can help us heal faster, reduce stress levels and boost mood.