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26 Apr, 2024
8 Ways To Reconnect With Nature in the City
13 Feb, 20231-2 minutes
The hustle and bustle of city life can be a big appeal for professionals looking to maximise the career opportunities which it has to offer.
Despite the many benefits of living and working in a busy city, being able to switch off and reconnect with nature is key for looking after our mental health.
The positive impacts of being in nature were especially prevalent during the Covid-19 pandemic with 45% of people telling the Mental Health Foundation that visiting green spaces, such as a park, helped them to cope!
Using outdoor activities as a formal treatment (known as Ecotherapy), has also been found to help people with mild to moderate depression.
If you currently live in the city, fear not, you don’t need to drive miles to the countryside to reconnect with nature.
There are many great ways to do this in the city and some from the comfort of your own home!
Here are 8 of the easiest ways for city-dwellers to reconnect with nature:
Plant at Home
If you live in the city, you might not have much outdoor space of your own, but that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from nurturing plants inside!
There are plenty of plants which thrive indoors and these can be used to bring a bit of the outdoors inside. A couple of our favourites include the Giant Bird of Paradise and the Polka dot plant. Pop to your local garden centre to see what is available!
Take Your Exercise Routine Outside
If you’re a regular gym-goer, you obviously prioritise looking after your physical health. But have you ever thought of swapping one of your weekly gym sessions for a bit of outdoor exercise?
An outdoor class or even just a run in your local park can be a great way to keep fit and spend some time reconnecting with nature.
A quick Google search will uncover local fitness events which are happening in your area!
Watch the Sunrise and Sunset
Not only can watching the sunset and sunrise be a beautiful experience, it is a great way to truly appreciate the great outdoors.
Wherever you are in the world, whether it be a noisy city or the middle of nowhere, one thing you can always guarantee is that the sun will rise and set each day. If you are able to watch from outside, why not take advantage of this?
Volunteer to Walk Someone’s Dog
If you don’t have a furry friend of your own, volunteering to take a loved one’s dog for a walk can be a great way for you to get some exercise, reconnect with nature and even discover new places right on your doorstep. You might also be helping your friend or family member out by freeing up some of their time too!
If you’re struggling to locate a pooch, check out websites such as borrowmydoggy.com - this is also a great way to make friends with the owners which could improve your social life and mental health.
Dine al Fresco
You don’t need to be on holiday to dine al fresco. Eating outdoors is a great way to get some fresh air.
If you have a busy work schedule and the weather allows, why not eat your lunch outside? Even if it’s a quick 20 minutes, you might as well spend some time outside whilst you can!
Get Involved With Local Community Initiatives
Believe it or not, even busy cities have plenty of community initiatives to get you out and about in the fresh air.
From litter picking to growing fruit and vegetables, there are plenty of different activities to try your hand!
A quick Google search of outdoor initiatives in your local community will help you find an activity you like the sound of!
Check out a Farmer’s Market
If you’re fed up with wasting valuable time trekking around a supermarket, then why not check out your local Farmer’s Market!
Not only are you able to support local farmers but eating fresh, locally sourced produce is a great way to feel close to nature and look after your health.
Find a Local Park to Visit
Every city will have a local park for you to explore and it will be full of like minded city dwellers who are there to enjoy the great outdoors.
If you’ve had a busy day at work and need somewhere to unwind, why not go for a stroll or ask a friend if they fancy a walk?
Physical activity such as walking increases energy and boosts positivity by influencing our feel-good neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin. So, not only will you be able to reconnect with nature, you will also feel great afterwards!
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Since 2017, we've been changing the face of recruitment. From our employees, to the way we do business, to the culture within our office, we're determined to make a difference and create a positive impact on everyone around us.
Recruitment to us isn't just about matching candidates and clients; we’re passionate about finding candidates the perfect job which has the ability to boost their salary and standard of living, better their work life balance and improve their mental health.
Similarly, we understand the impact which an experienced and skilled employee can make to a business and we love seeing clients thrive through the hard work of candidates which we have placed with them.
We operate in two sectors:
In eleven specialisms:
Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing
Corporate Functions & Business Support
Planning, Development & Regeneration
Highways, Infrastructure & Engineering
If you’re searching for a new role, why not visit our job page to take a look at the latest opportunities? Alternatively, upload your CV and one of our experienced consultants will contact you when a relevant opportunity becomes available.
If you’re struggling to fill a role, why don’t you give us a call on 01772 954200 to see how we can help? One of our consultants will be happy to listen to the challenges which you are facing and advise on the best possible solution for you.
