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Any time spent in nature is good. The great outdoors has a way of helping us to balance our emotions, relieve our anxiety, find a place to play while reveling in the beauty that’s all around us.

Here are 10 ways to add more nature to your everyday life.

 

Nature walks

Fredericksburg has many parks and with them, many trails to hike and walk. Enjoy the deep wooded greenery at Loriella Park or sit beside the creek in the woods of Alum Spring Park. If you want to enjoy the full Monty, stop by Mott’s River Reservoir, and hike trails, or rent watercraft.

 

A day on the river

There’s nothing as calming and peaceful as spending time on the water. Whether sitting on a bench at the dock downtown watching trains or boating on Lake Anna, the water is a great escape to make you forget those tough days at home or in the office.

 

Earthing

If you’re a late Gen Xer or Xennial who grew up in the 80s, you no doubt get this concept. Earthing is taking time to connect to nature by walking around on grass barefoot. There are many therapeutic benefits to earthing (sometimes called grounding) such as lower blood pressure, elevated moods, and reduced stress. And besides, the earth between your toes and on the bottoms of your feet feels good!

 

Apple picking

While most typically do this in the fall with their children, apple picking is a great outdoor hobby to enjoy alone or with your significant other. Enjoy the sights and smells of the orchard as you learn about the delicious apples, you’ll take home (and ways to enjoy them!)

 

Skydiving

Imagine the rush of being thousands of feet above the ground with a parachute as you jump solo or in tandem with others. Skydive Orange, in Orange, Virginia, offers a fun-filled experience for new and experienced skydivers who want to take to the skies for the thrill of a lifetime.

 

Picnicking

Picnics are a great way to unplug, get away, and enjoy a day out. Bring a board game or some lawn-based games (e.g., badminton, corn hole, or a soccer ball) and make an afternoon of it with someone you love. If you go alone, take a sketchbook and some pencils or watercolors, and turn it into a plein air art experience.

 

Fishing

Drop a line and spend the day fishing along the banks of the Rappahannock or many available lakes and ponds in the area. Finishing is relaxing and mentally stimulating at the same time. If you don’t want to fish on your own, grab a few buddies and make a day of it, or rent a charter and spend time catching fish in the open waters of the Rappahannock, Potomac, James, or York River.

 

Gardening

Clear out a plot of land around your home and then stop by your local nursery to buy plants to place in your yard. Gardening is a great way to relieve stress, help the environment, and even feed your family from the fruits and vegetables you’ll grow.

 

Stargazing

The full night sky is chock-full of stars and planets. Download an app and learn the position of the planets, constellations in the stars. If you have a telescope, you can get a closer look at some of our neighbors, like the moon, Mars, and Venus. Stargazing is a fun way to get into nature at night and remember just how small you are.

 

Down on the farm

Take a field trip to a local farm and spend the day hanging out learning how farmers work, and what goes into planting and harvesting. Farmers dedicate their entire lives to making sure people have food and spending time on a farm helps you to appreciate the work and the yield of the land.

 

 

There you have it; 10 ways to enjoy time nature. What are some ways you spend time in the outdoors? Leave a comment. We’d love to hear it.