9 Ways to Bring Nature Into Your Life Regardless of Where You Live

Inside:  You need to bring nature into your life.  Regardless of where you live, there are ways to spend more time in or with nature. All it takes is a little ingenuity and effort. Adding more nature into your life can soothe your soul! *There are affiliate links in this post.  If you click I might make a small commission but at no cost to you.

---

You need to bring nature into your life. Even if you live in a major city, it’s still important to find a way to either get out into nature or to bring nature to you. Cities are a relatively recent development in human history. We’re not that far removed from a more natural and rural existence. Regardless of where you live, there are ways to spend more time in or with nature. All it takes is a little ingenuity and effort.
Adding more nature into your life can soothe your soul! Try these ideas:

1. Go to the park.

Most towns have a park within a reasonable distance. Where there are trees and grass, there are bound to be birds, squirrels, and other animals. Take a nice walk. Find a bench or a good spot under a tree and take a seat for a while. Use an app like INaturalist  and upload a photo of an unusual plant or forest creature you’ve never seen before.  This app allows you to connect with naturalists (both amateur and professional) who might provide some information on the the organism you found.  The photos and information you upload add to a database of where different species can be found.  You can feel good about becoming a citizen scientist while enjoying your surroundings.

2.Create a garden to Bring Nature into Your Life.

If you have space for a garden, this is a great way to bring a little nature into your life. What could be more miraculous than planting a seed and watching it grow into something you can eat or into a flower? Think about that. A seed can pull nutrients out of the soil and turn into something else with just water and sunlight.  Gardens also attract wildlife to your home, an excellent way to bring nature into your life.  Butterflies and bees are attracted to the nectar and pollen.  A huge variety of birds feed and find shelter among the garden plants.   Gardens don’t always need a lot of space.  Even a balcony can be enough space for a small container garden.  That’s nature brought close up to you.

3. Get a bird feeder.

Put a bird feeder near a window and watch the show. Maybe you’ll decide to buy a book on birds and identify the birds you see.  I have several bird feeders in my backyard.  Some are special because they were built by my late father.  This type of birdfeeder was with my dad at his nursing home.  It is easy to fill and clean. This feeder I have not tried but I saw a cool facebook post of someone who used it to keep squirrels from eating all the seed.  I myself love the squirrels. They attract a wide variety of birds.  Both me and my cats adore the activity at these feeders.   It won’t be long before you might see some squirrels, too.  I have supported several generations of squirrels on our farm.  My favorite memory of my father is of this suet ball ring feeder outside his nursing room window.  We filled it with whole peanuts.  The squirrels entertained us both for hours.  I still have the feeder and put it up in the spring when the new baby squirrels are out.

4. Bring Nature into your Life by getting a bird.

Dogs, cats, and fish are fine, but if you want to bring some of the wild into your home, get a pet bird. Birds can be wonderful, interesting, and active companions. I had a budgie when I was in university.  He was a wonderful companion and his singing was a great stress relief.  Keep in mind that some of the larger parrots can live 80 years or more! Some birds can be a lifelong commitment.

5.House plants.

Maybe gardening isn’t your thing. That’s okay. You can have plants indoors. Head to your local garden center and become a plant-parent. A few plants can really enhance the mood of your home.  They are another excellent way to bring nature into your life.  Houseplants have been a part of every apartment I’ve lived in and in the house I presently occupy.  A house is not a home without plants.  I have the cat plant pot in this ensemble of animal pots from Amazon.  It was a great addition to my collection.  Ensure that you have the proper amount of sunlight for each type of plant you choose.

6. Artwork with natural elements brings nature home.

Driftwood, landscape paintings, photographs, and sculptures can all be nature oriented.  Collect some shells on a trip to the beach and use them in a vase as decoration.  Collect driftwood and create a table display.  My favorite photographs have elements of the natural world.  They are my favorites to display in my own home.

7.Nature sounds are soothing.

It’s easy to find all types of nature sounds these days. You can make your home sound like the ocean, the jungle, or a rainstorm. The recordings are a lot better than they used to be. If you have trouble falling asleep, the gentle sounds of a rainstorm or other gentle nature sounds might just provide the relaxation to lull you to sleep. There are plenty of options you can try online for free. See what you can find.

8. Use natural scents to bring nature inside.

Filling your home with natural scents can also give the feeling of nature. My son gave me an essential oil infuser for Christmas. It is very similar to this diffuser.  I use a few drops of my favorite scent so it is subtle and not overwhelming.  Puffs of scent from the diffuser are very relaxing while reading a book in my favorite room.  Very soothing! Vanilla, sandalwood, and various flower scents are just a few of the many options available.

9. Documentaries.

Most people don’t have the time or the money to visit the cliffs of Norway, the volcanoes of Iceland, or the rainforest in Brazil. However, you can see all of these things from the comfort of your sofa. Subscribe to Curiosity Stream which is a great subscription service with an affordable price. Netflix and Disney Plus also offer great documentaries.  The entire world is available to you with your TV remote.

Have you ever noticed how you feel different while spending time among the trees, flowers, and animals? There’s a sense of relaxation that you can’t attain any other way. It just feels right to be there. We are a part of nature.  Soaking up the sights and sounds of the natural world around is invigorating and relaxing.  Even committed city-dwellers will benefit from some time away from the asphalt jungle. Consider all of your options and give yourself the gift of nature.