Indoor nature

Nature is for everyone.  That’s the theme of this year’s Green Health Week.  But what if it’s difficult to get outdoors or where you stay is surrounded by buildings not by nature?  Is it still possible to connect with nature?  Absolutely!  We had some good practice with this during the pandemic when going outside was a luxury, and since then we’ve continued to promote ideas for encouraging people to notice nature from their windows or more generally indoors.

If there is nothing else that you can see from your window then there is a good chance you can see the sky.  Watching the sky is like watching a movie – ever changing, always something happening.  Like the Cloud Appreciation Society (yes, it’s a real thing!) we are big fans of cloud spotting.  Their website has a quick introduction to the different sorts of clouds, but as with all things in nature, you don’t need to know what something is called to be able to appreciate it.  Maybe you’re lucky enough to be able to see a tree from your window?  Trees are a great way of connecting with the seasons, from the bare branches in winter to tiny new bright green leaves in spring and onward towards autumn colours.  It’s also soothing to watch the leaves gently fluttering in the breeze, although admittedly less calming when the wind is up.

Your window can also let nature inside – from the sounds of the birds singing to sunlight dancing across the floor.  Perhaps you can even take a moment to sit in the sunshine whilst listening to the birds.  If you can’t hear the birds from outside, then there are plenty of online resources to enable you to listen from your phone or computer, including actual Birdsong Radio!!!  Of course you don’t need to limit yourself to birds, there are plenty of nature documentaries available; learn more about the exotic animals on other parts of the planet, watch tales of human adventures into wild nature or see how artist Andy Goldsworthy connects in a more gentle way through his ephemeral often temporary sculptures made from natural materials.

If you prefer words to pictures then there are more books than ever available about nature, from handbooks suggesting ways to connect with nature, to authors describing their own experiences.  That’s in addition to all the guides to help with identification of birds or butterflies or clouds.  Lots of these are available through your local library although in our experience some of the more popular ones have a bit of a wait!  Don’t forget that fiction books also come with glorious renditions of nature as does much poetry.  A tried and tested way of connecting with nature through writing is to keep a nature journal.  It doesn’t have to be fancy, just noting down three good things in nature that you notice each day has been shown to improve mental health as well as increase nature connection.

Smells are great for evoking nature indoors.  If you have some essential oils in your house consider taking a sniff: lavender is soothing, eucalyptus aids concentration and tea tree oil will help clear a stuffy nose.  Or perhaps you have some herbs in the kitchen, either fresh or dried; make up some mint tea and sip it mindfully whilst inhaling the aroma.

Finally and perhaps the ultimate way of bringing nature connection indoors is through tending a houseplant.  Perhaps you name them, talk to them or even take them into the shower to give them a wee wash.  Having plants indoors has been shown to improve mood and reduce stress levels and fatigue, and they might even have a small positive impact on air quality.

Don’t ever think you’re limited to hiking up hills in order to find nature.  It’s all around you wherever you are.  In fact you are a part of nature.  Enjoy that connection.