In this post I’m going to share 4 easy ways to enjoy nature in the winter.
Connecting with nature is a great way for us to feel grounded but this can be more difficult in the winter months.
Being grounded means we are living in the present moment and we aren’t floating off in our headspace. When we are grounded, we feel a sense of stability and security in our lives.
If you have ever experienced a day where you felt lost in your thoughts and then you decided to do something outside you probably know what I am talking about when I say that nature makes you feel grounded.
Observing nature is a great way to get us out of overthinking and bring us back into the present moment.
It’s also a wonderful way to feel gratitude for the beauty of this world. Feeling gratitude helps dissipate more negative emotions such as frustration or anger.
Some people may find it more difficult to attain this sense of grounding in cold weather especially those who use activities performed in warmer weather to help decrease negative stressors such as gardening or going to the beach.
I know that many of us start to get antsy in February and March for some warmer weather so I wanted to share with you guys some ideas to help you thrive for the rest of this winter!
4 ways to connect with nature this winter:
1. Spend some time outside even though it's cold!
Spending some time outside just for the sake of enjoying nature can help us appreciate the winter season. Being outside and shoveling snow is not going to help you connect (at least for most of us 😝). You need to take the time to do something actually enjoyable outside.
To help facilitate the feeling of being grounded, try to really tune into your senses when you are spending time outdoors.
Think about how the cold crisp air feels on your face compared to warm air.
Think about how it feels to breath in the cold air.
Notice the smell of winter. I feel like later in the season this is more difficult to notice but when we first start getting colder weather it really smells different outside!
Notice the way the trees look without leaves and how they are still so beautiful! Reflect on how they go through this cycle of shedding their leaves in order for them to grow again.
If you don’t have snow but it’s very cold, observe how it feels when you are walking on the frozen ground. It feels very different to walk on frozen dirt or grass!
If you have snow this makes it super easy to enjoy winter. You can play in the snow. We always think to play in the snow with our kids or dogs but why can’t you play in the snow as an adult? Introducing some playfulness into our lives is beneficial to us in many ways.
I recently was playing with my dogs in the snow and realized how much it helped me connect to nature and the elements. I was literally sitting in the snow and throwing snowballs for them and it truly felt so good for my soul. 
2. Bring nature into your home
Having houseplants is such a lovely way to enjoy nature in the winter because you are bringing it in to you! (They also make your house look pretty 🙃)
I absolutely love houseplants and my collection keeps growing.
If you have trouble keeping houseplants alive there are certain plants that are easier to care for than others.
I find that my orchids are pretty easy to care for and are nice because they bring some beautiful color into your home.
This winter I also had a 3 month subscription to My Garden Box. Basically they send you a houseplant and all the things you need to plant it. This definitely helps to connect to nature even more because you are doing the planting and getting your hands in some dirt! I did kill one of the plants from this subscription but the other two are still going strong!
3. Watch the animals interact in the winter
I know this is easier in some areas than others but try to find a place where you can watch the animals.
I recently got a bird feeder that is right outside my kitchen window so I constantly see the birds (and squirrels) in my backyard all while staying warm inside.
I also learned that the birds really look for food in the snow.
On our first snow storm of the winter this year, my feeder was empty. When I went outside with the dogs in the morning there were these little birds sitting and waiting for me to fill the feeder! It was so adorably sweet and I felt so bad that it was empty that I trekked my way through the snow to get the food and fill the feeder.
Now I learned to always keep the feeder full, especially when there is a snow storm!
4. Have gratitude for winter brings
Appreciating the season helps us to be grounded and connect to nature because we are appreciating the cycles of the seasons.
When you change your mindset in this way you might actually grow to really enjoy the winter. Each season brings it’s own special gifts to us.
Think of all the things winter allows you to enjoy; warm drinks, being able to feel really cozy and snuggly, sitting by the fireplace, and watching the snow fall during a snow storm.
These are all things that we should not take for granted. Winter is the season where we get a little bit of extra rest. We all need rest sometimes for our well-being.
Winter also allows us to truly appreciate the warmer seasons and what they bring to us.
So try out some of these suggestions to really enjoy nature this winter and to give your love to each and every season.
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