Strengthening Your Connection to Nature – 10 Practical Tips

Wie kann man als Erwachsener die eigene Naturverbundenheit stärken? Seeing themselves as part of nature and feeling a deep appreciation for its beauty and diversity is what characterizes nature-conscious people. However, in a world full of technology and hustle and bustle, it is more difficult and therefore more important than ever to maintain and specifically promote our own connection to nature.

In this article, I present 10 overarching tips and a total of 50 inspiring approaches for practical implementation in everyday life, which you can use to strengthen your connection to nature in a targeted way or quickly regain it. Let's go!

Vorteile: Warum ist es wichtig, sich die eigene Naturverbundenheit zu bewahren?

Feeling connected to nature, has a positive effect on your own well-being. However, it often takes a little motivational boost to deal with it in a targeted manner.

So before we jump straight into the specific tips, I would like to give you some the most important reasons for a close relationship with nature:

• Reduce stress: Spending time in nature lowers stress hormones, stabilizes the cardiovascular system and lowers the stress level decisive. Studies have also shownthat the stronger our connection to nature, the happier we are.
• Environmental Awareness strengthen: People with a strong connection to nature are more environmentally aware and more likely to be committed to protecting the earth.
• Prevent diseases: Exercise in the fresh air boosts your immune system, lowers your blood pressure and lets you sleep better.¹
• Develop mindfulness: Sensory experiences such as wind, natural scents or sounds promote conscious living in the moment and improve perception.
• Improve soft skills: Contact with nature, for example, stimulates your problem-solving skills and Increases creativity. People who observe and understand nature often become more grateful, patient, empathetic and responsible.

10 Tips: How to Strengthen Your Connection to Nature

Now that we have the numerous advantages of a strong connection to nature, the question now arises: How can we specifically strengthen, nurture or regain it?

Motivated enough? 🙂 Then put the following tips into practice to experience nature even more consciously and intensively.

1. Practicing Mindfulness in Nature

Mindfulness helps to Experience the moment more consciously and deepen your connection to nature. You develop a deep appreciation for the little things that surround you - and discover details that often get lost in the gray everyday life.

Practical tips for a greater closeness to nature:

• Do regularly Walks in nature (ideal: silent walk in complete silence)
• Meditate outdoors (Book tip: "Meditation" by Peter Beer*)
• Practice the "owl look" (Wide-angle vision that expands your perception; explained here)
• Consciously breathe the air from a natural environment for a few minutes
• Go Forest bathing (sit or lie down for 20 minutes in a beautiful spot in the forest and enjoy the scenery; book tip: Forest bathing by Ulla Felber*)

2. Activating and Sharpening Your Senses

Our senses connect us directly with nature. When we consciously hear, smell, see, feel and tastethe experience of nature becomes much more vivid. This not only makes us more mindful, but also creates deep memories.

So sharpen your senses when you're outside! And experience, for example Sounds of naturehow the Chirping of the birds and the buzzing of wild bees - or even natural fragranceslike the aroma of the earth, much more intense.

Specific tips to strengthen your connection to nature:

• Walk barefoot through nature (and feel the grass and the ground beneath your feet)
• Listen only to natural sounds for 10 minutes around you
• Taste edible wild herbs (for example dandelions or daisies; Book Tip: Find wild herbs* by Christine Schneider)
• Go on a night hike without a flashlight (and experience nature in the dark)
• Grab soil and smell it (consciously take time to perceive natural fragrances)

3. Outdoor Activities and Movement

Regular exercise in nature Combines physical activity with mental recovery. Contact with earth, water and air grounds us and reduces stress.

Activities such as Hiking, climbing, jogging or swimming bring nature to life and allow us to feel the elements directly - ideal for a deeper connection with nature.

How to strengthen your closeness to nature:

• Go hiking regularly (Book tip: Discover where you live* by Simon Hegewald)
• Train in nature (make e.g. Ploggingyoga, freeletics or calisthenics)
• Take nature photowalks (e.g. capture special mosses, flowers or animal trails)
• Go swimming in a lake (typical Dangers in the bathing lake note!)
• Climb a via ferrata (feel the rocks under your hands and enjoy the view)

4. Observing and Understanding Nature

By simply taking a closer look at nature, you will develop a deeper understanding of its interrelationships. You learn the Flora and fauna and certain behaviors and thus develop even more respect for the environment.

Regular observations of nature also train Patience and compassion. Two positive traitswhich are central elements for a sustainable connection to nature.

Practical strategiesto perceive nature more intensively:

• Observe Children and learn from them (e.g. curiosity and admiration of small things)
• Learn to read animal tracks (Book tip: Tracking and tracing* from Andreas David*)
• Observe animals in the forest from a high seat (see also Microadventure ideas)
• Sit regularly in the same place in nature (observe the change)
• Observe the starry sky and get to know the constellations

Game tip: Falls du die Naturverbundenheit von Kindern gezielt unterstützen möchtest, habe ich mit diesen 50 Entdeckerkarten für Kinder* eine echt wertvolle Empfehlung für dich. Mit gezielten Suchaufträgen (z. B. „Finde etwas, womit ein Vogel ein Nest bauen könnte.“) macht ihr damit gemeinsam eine Outdoor Schatzsuche und entdeckt die Natur. 🙂

5. Using Nature as a Source of Inspiration

Nature has always been Source of inspiration for art, literature and science. Their rhythm, colors and shapes stimulate our creativity. By consciously observing nature, new ideas and solutions to everyday problems are formed.

So just try to be completely to be consciously inspiredif you Spending time in nature. As you sharpen your eye for the essentials, you will automatically strengthen your connection to nature.

Concrete ideas for a more intense connection to nature:

• Write poems or short texts about your nature experiences
• Keep an inspiration book (e.g. note down interesting plants, colors or shapes and ideas)
• Sketch or photograph details of nature (e.g. special leaves, wildflowers or landscapes)
• Think about where nature can be a role model for the economy (e.g. was Photosynthesis in plants is the model for solar cells)
• Paint pictures with homemade natural paints (e.g. from berries, flowers or soil)

6. Living Practical Connection to Nature

Practical activities such as Gardening, collecting or handicrafts create a direct connection to nature. They make it possible to experience the rhythms and laws of nature directly.

By working hands-on with the environment, you also develop a deeper understanding and respect for the natural resourcesthat it makes available to us humans.

Tried and tested methodsto feel closer to nature:

• Sustainable gardening and in the spirit of nature (see e.g: natural pest control)
• Create a wildflower corner, a Beetle cellar or even a whole Natural garden (seeds for wildflowers you get here*)
• Plant Bird-friendly trees (e.g. bird cherry (is available here*) and hawthorn (is available here*))
• Build a dining table from rustic old oak planks (see My DIY dining table instructions)
• Create a scrapbook for leaves and flowers from nature (is available here*)

7. Maintaining Rituals and Traditions in Nature

Recurring nature experiences promote the feeling of closeness to nature immensely.

Whether you collect herbs, enjoy the changing seasons or have a tree encounter with children once a year - the emotional connection is created through the Repetition of profound experiences and the creation of lasting memories.

You feel again and again pure gratitude and celebrate nature as an essential part of your life.

Practical everyday tips for a greater sense of nature:

• Keep a nature diary and note down your observations of plants, animals and weather (book tip: Nature journaling - your path to more creativity, connection to nature and curiosity* by Verena Hillgärtner)
• Live to the rhythm of nature (e.g. always get up with the sun)
• Have a tree encounter with children (e.g. lean your back against a tree, close your eyes and feel its energy)
• Collect and dry herbs for the winter (e.g. camomile, mint or thyme for teas)
• Learn to use plants for healing purposes (Book tip: Native medicinal plants explained simply*)

8. Retreating and Relaxing in Green Spaces

Nature offers you a retreat away from the noise of everyday life. Consciously take time (or vacation days) to strengthen your connection to nature. And regularly spend time in Forests, on Lake or in the Bergen.

That is Time for yourselfin which you are physically and Regenerate mentally and become demonstrably more relaxed simply by following your heart.

Valuable tipsto experience nature more consciously:

• Plan a hiking or camping vacation in nature
• Use nature as a place to relax (e.g. during a Digital Detox)
• Spend a night in the forest (e.g. sleep in the open air or in a tent)
• Watch the sun rise or set
• Attach a hammock in the forest (is available here*)

9. Fostering Community and Exchange

Experiences in nature are even more intense when we share them with our fellow human beings. Together Hikes, workshops or nature conservation campaigns create a sense of connection - both with nature and with each other.

The exchange about nature experiences or ecological challenges or phenomena promotes the Understanding and motivationto actively protect the environment.

Useful tips for a stronger connection to nature:

• Support or organize a clean-up event (and collect garbage from nature together)
• Take part in an outdoor survival camp (e.g. here about Jochen Schweizer*)
• Look for a job in nature conservation (e.g. for a climate protection organization)
• Attend nature workshops or lectures (e.g. about medicinal plants, wild animals or Veganism)
• Share your nature experiences on social media (e.g. post pictures to inspire others)

10. Promoting Sustainability and Environmental Awareness

Nature is not interestedwhether we humans will be around on this planet for much longer or not. It can manage without us - probably even much better 😉.

But we can all learn to respect nature and live sustainably. Let's become a Part of the solution to the Environmental problems of our time becomethat we humans collectively cause ourselves and ultimately suffer from ourselves.

So you can intensify your connection to nature:

• Rely on natural care products (e.g. solid soap without microplastics*)
• Compost kitchen waste (turn organic waste into valuable fertilizer for the garden)
• Grow your own fruit and vegetables (e.g. in the Raised bed* on the balcony or in the garden)
• Set to Regional and seasonal products (I regularly shop at the weekly market, for example)
• Avoid plastic and rely on natural materials (e.g. cotton bags instead of plastic bags)

Connecting with Nature: A Path Back to Ourselves

Nature is our origin and our future. It gives us air to breathe, nourishment to live, strength, inspiration and inner peace.

The more we reconnect with it, the better we understand that we are itself a small but significant part of the big picture are - and the more we find ourselves. And I sincerely hope that the ideas and tips in this article will help you to do just that 🙂

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."

Albert Einstein (more under Nature Quotes)

Hast du Fragen, Anregungen oder weitere Tipps, um im Erwachsenenalter die Verbindung zur Natur zu bewahren? Dann freue ich mich auf deinen Kommentar.

Stay close to nature,

PS: Do you ever ask yourself that? how natural we humans actually still live today and how can naturalness be defined at all? In the linked article, I have dealt intensively with the answer to this question. Feel free to take a look 🙂

References:

1. Naturefriends International: Experiencing nature and health A study on the impact of nature on human well-being with special consideration of forest habitats (Vienna, 2015), available at https://www.bundesforste.at/fileadmin/publikationen/studien/WasserWege_Gesundheit.pdf. [07.03.2025]. ↩︎