Connections are essential.
As human beings, we have several innate needs. Chief among them is the need to connect. If we don’t feel connected, we struggle socially, emotionally, physically, and mentally. We feel empty, hollow, or shallow. Connections deepen our understanding of who we are and what matters to us.
Studies suggest that we begin to create these connections within minutes of birth (perhaps even earlier) and that healthy, loving connections are critical, especially through the first two years of our lives. In fact, babies and children who lack this connection early in life often develop attachment disorders that hinder their social, emotional, and psychological development. This lack of connection can have a ripple effect that can be felt even into adulthood. As it turns out, we’re all more fragile than we’d like to admit.
It’s safe to say that connectedness matters. We all long to belong. Connections help us to develop a sense of self. They strengthen our understanding of the world around us and where we fit within it. Connections can even strengthen our resolve. Often, recovering addicts will credit their recovery to a sense of belonging, either through team sports, outdoor adventuring, or a higher power.
We can develop connections in all sorts of ways. We interact with our immediate family, draw strength from stories of our ancestors, develop friendships, join religious or faith-based organizations, and interact with special interest groups, clubs, and sports teams. These connections with other people are vitally important. However, there is one critical element of belonging that is easy to forget—the connection with nature and the outside world.
Rose of Sharon Hibiscus will bloom from late spring until frost. They add a tropical look to your yard and attract pollinators and hummingbirds from summer through fall. The cultivar shown here is 'Red Heart'.
Connecting with nature is an essential part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Nature provides us with an array of calming stimuli, allowing us to relax, reflect, and find peace. From the sound of a bird to the smell of damp soil, the natural world can invigorate our souls.
As urban developers, businesses, and homeowners replace living breathing plantlife with stone, gravel, and cement, our connection to the earth grows weaker. That isn’t healthy.
There is a real concern that people, and perhaps even entire communities, are losing their connection to the natural world. As urban areas increase, there are more and more people growing up who have never seen the stars, never stood beneath a douglas fir and looked up at its stunning expanse, or never dug through the dirt in search of crawly creatures. Can you imagine that? When was the last time you did any of those things? What about your children or grandchildren?
The best way to foster your connection with nature is to spend time outdoors. Plant a garden, dig in the dirt, prune a shrub, explore a park or nature trail. Walking, running or hiking in nature can be an incredibly calming experience, allowing you to clear your mind and enjoy the beauty around you. Camping overnight in the wilderness can bring an entirely new appreciation for the outdoors that you can get in no other way.
You can also improve your connection with nature through simple observation. Take time to appreciate the intricacies of life outside. Try to identify different types of trees, plants, and flowers, and stop to watch the various creatures you happen upon. You'll quickly learn that the quieter you are in nature, the more wildlife you'll see. In our crazy, fast-paced world, quiet time is at a premium!
Being outside is essential for your health.
Connecting regularly with nature is critically important for our mental and physical health. Studies have shown that simply being in nature can reduce stress, anxiety, and improve our concentration. Plus, outdoor activities such as hiking, running, and gardening can lead to improved cardiovascular health, flexibility, and muscle tone.
You can attract birds into your landscape by planting thick trees and shrubs that offer protection and plants that provide food. In return, birds bring beauty, song, and serenity to your yard, and many of them will eat insect pests in your garden.
A Deeper Connection Through Nature
Connecting with nature helps us cultivate a deeper understanding of our place in the universe. Nature provides us with an opportunity to reflect on our lives, our purpose, and where we fit in the greater scheme of things. As we explore, observe, and appreciate the natural world, we will develop a stronger sense of identity.
The natural world can heighten our spiritual connection. The intricate beauty of nature, the vastness of the universe, and the interconnectedness of life can be awe-inspiring. As we appreciate the beauty of creation, we can gain a greater respect for our own existence and the role we play in the world.
Planting buddleia (or butterfly bushes) in your landscape is a great way to draw pollinators and hummingbirds to your yard.
Self-actualization
Time in nature is an opportunity to connect with ourselves. Hiking, rock climbing, floating a river, or simply sitting among the trees listening to the breeze or the chatter of squirrels, allows us to pay more attention to our thoughts and emotions. Spending time in nature cultivates self-reflection and self-awareness. We can use the natural world as a tool to contemplate our own lives and gain a sense of peace and tranquility. That’s something all of us can use right now.
This tropical-looking garden is an example of an extremely creative landscape. It belongs to a couple in Grandsville, Utah. They created covered pathway 'tunnels' of Virginia Creeper and clematis all around the garden. The image on the left is the view into the garden through a 'window' in the covered pathway. The image on the right is a view of the same 'window' from inside the garden. If you're looking for creative ideas for your yard, connect with one of our designers.
A Natural Refuge Right at Home
You don’t have to travel away from home to enjoy the benefits of nature. You can create a natural experience right in your own backyard. A yard filled with trees, shrubs, and perennials will attract birds, pollinators, and other wildlife, filling your yard with nature's energy.
When you want it to, your outdoor retreat will attract people. Your yard can become a gathering place where you connect not only with nature, but also with each other. You can literally transform your yard into a healing garden where you deepen and strengthen your connections with friends and family, make time for peaceful mindfulness, and connect with the natural world around you.
If you’d like to convert your yard into an outdoor retreat, visit us online. At ProgressivePlants.com, you can browse our catalog, chat with us directly, or connect with one of our landscape designers.
Connecting with the outdoors—feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin, listening to birds and the rustle of leaves, taking in the smell of blossoms, junipers, or soil after a rain—are all essential elements of your wellbeing. Our goal is to help you create that healing haven in your own yard, where you can connect with nature, breathe more deeply, and awaken your heart and mind.
