Spending Time in Nature: How Unplugging Reconnects You to What Really Matters

Many people think that getting out into nature means hiking rough mountain trails, camping with wild animals, or climbing to the top of some rocky peak. And while that’s one way to experience it, nature isn’t only for the rugged and outdoorsy. It’s for everyone.

For some, nature is a walk in the park. For others, it’s sitting on the porch and watching birds. For the “fancy people,” it might even be relaxing at a mountain resort with a view of the trees and the fresh scent of pine in the air. Nature doesn’t care how you show up — only that you do.

To me, being in nature is about unplugging from the day-to-day. It’s about putting down the phone, taking a deep breath, and looking around at the natural world we so often rush past. It’s about remembering to “stop and smell the roses,” both literally and figuratively.

Nature asks nothing but helps give perspective.

Discovering Nature Your Own Way

When I was younger, I loved being out on the water. Kayaking, boating, even being pulled on an inner tube behind the boat those were my happy places. The wind in my hair, the spray of the water, the laughter echoing across the lake. That was my kind of freedom.

I’ve also had my fair share of trying the adventurous stuff. I even tried skiing once. Let’s just say it didn’t go as planned. I couldn’t stand long on the bunny hill before my legs gave out from under me or decided to go in opposite directions. Either way, my butt spent more time on the ground than my feet did on the skis. I may not have been graceful, but I sure did laugh a lot.

Nature has many sides calm and peaceful, or wild and thrilling. It can be a quiet walk under the trees or a heart-pumping day on the slopes. For me, how I enjoy it depends on what I need. When life feels heavy, I crave calm. When I need energy or joy, I look for fun.

These days, with my physical limitations, I lean more toward the peaceful moments — sitting near the water, walking along gentle paths, or watching my kids and grandkids take on the adventures I used to love. I find joy in their joy, and that’s enough for me.

Why Nature Matters More Than Ever

In today’s world, where screens dominate our lives, stepping outside is more important than ever. The Harvard Health Publishing team found that spending even 20 minutes in nature reduces stress hormones, lowers blood pressure, and improves mood.

The American Psychological Association reports that time outdoors helps reduce anxiety and symptoms of depression. It gives the mind room to rest. Our brains were never meant to process constant notifications, deadlines, and digital noise. Nature resets that balance.

Even something as simple as sitting on a park bench, watching leaves move in the wind, can bring peace. That’s because nature grounds us. It reminds us that we are part of something bigger — something that doesn’t depend on Wi-Fi or schedules.

Unplugging for Clarity

When you unplug, you give your brain space to think again. Without screens in your face, your senses wake up. You notice smells, textures, and sounds you normally miss the hum of insects, the sound of waves, the crunch of gravel underfoot, or the warmth of the sun on your skin.

The National Institutes of Health found that even short breaks outdoors improve focus and creativity. It’s why you often get your best ideas in the shower or while walking. When your brain isn’t flooded with constant information, it has the freedom to wander and that’s when insight and inspiration appear.

Being in nature doesn’t mean escaping life. It’s about reconnecting with it.

The Self-Discovery Side of Nature

Spending time outdoors teaches you a lot about yourself. It slows your pace, quiets your thoughts, and shows you what peace feels like without distractions.

When I’m kayaking, I feel strong and capable. When I’m sitting on a porch, watching clouds drift by, I feel calm and reflective. Both are parts of me, and both matter.

Nature also teaches patience. You can’t rush a sunset or command a breeze. You can’t make the waves come faster or the flowers bloom sooner. You learn to wait. You learn to observe. And you learn that beauty often happens in its own time — just like growth does.

The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley found that people who spend time in nature regularly report higher levels of gratitude and life satisfaction. That’s because nature naturally encourages reflection. It makes you aware of what really matters not things, not likes, not deadlines, but presence, people, and peace.

Finding Your Way Back to Balance

For those who think nature is only about hiking or camping, it’s time to expand the definition. Nature is in the everyday. It’s the morning breeze when you open the window. It’s the way the light hits your garden. It’s the rhythm of rain on your roof or waves at the beach.

You don’t have to climb a mountain to feel alive. You just have to notice what’s already around you.

Start small. Take a walk without your phone. Sit outside while you drink your coffee. Watch the sunset instead of watching another show. Listen to the night sounds — crickets, wind, distant laughter. Each moment connects you back to the world beyond screens and schedules.

The more time you spend in nature, the more you remember who you are without the noise of everything else.

What You Can Try Today

1. Take a daily nature break. Even ten minutes outside can refresh your mind.

2. Bring nature inside. Open the windows, add plants, or play natural sounds while you work.

3. Plan simple outings. A local park, lake, or garden is enough. You don’t have to travel far.

4. Try something new. Kayak, fish, or simply sit by the water. Let yourself play again.

5. Leave the phone behind. Experience moments without documenting them. Just be.

Nature is waiting for you — not for a perfect day, but for any day you choose to show up.

Support on Your Journey

Nature has a way of healing what modern life wears down. It teaches you that peace isn’t something you chase; it’s something you return to.

In our Self-Discovery and Neighbor Chat groups, we often talk about the importance of unplugging and finding stillness. The outdoors gives you space to breathe, reflect, and reconnect — not only with nature, but with yourself.

JOIN A GROUP

The next post in this series, “Spending Time with Family: How Shared Moments Build Connection and Joy,” will explore how being intentional with family time helps strengthen love and create memories that last a lifetime.

Because when you step into nature, you don’t just find the world — you find yourself.

References

• Harvard Health Publishing. “Spending Time in Nature Helps Mental and Physical Health.” https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/spending-time-in-nature-helps-mental-and-physical-health

• American Psychological Association. “Nurtured by Nature.” https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/04/nurtured-by-nature

• National Institutes of Health. “Nature and Mental Focus.” https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2021/05/nature-good-health

• Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley. “How Nature Inspires Gratitude.” https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_nature_inspires_gratitude

• National Park Service. “The Benefits of Nature.” https://www.nps.gov/articles/benefits-of-nature.htm