Solitude: Getting your mind to unwind in the outdoors

Spending time outside is one of the best ways to unwind. The fresh air, change of environment, and even the soothing sounds of nature can all help to turn off your mind and relax.

But if you are new to the concept or maybe have not found it so easy to unwind in the outdoors before, you might be a little doubtful about how well it can really work. With a bit of guidance, however, you can learn to relax and refresh in the outdoors.

Step 1: Make sure you are dressed appropriately

Nothing is worse than being unprepared for the outdoors. Being warm and safe from the elements will help you relax and unwind better.

If your goal is to take a mental break, you will not be successful if you are not comfortable. With hiking, for example, you are going to be miserable if you are under dressed in cold weather, making it harder for you to relax and actually achieve your goal. Wear layers, which can keep you warm, but can also let you shed a layer if you get too warm.

Step 2: Pick what kind of activity you would like to be doing outdoors

There are many different ways to enjoy the outdoors. You could take some physical exercise, like a hike, or you could just find a nice, quiet place in a park to take a seat and unwind. There is no wrong way to enjoy the outdoors.

If you have a backyard, sometimes just sitting in it is good enough to help you relax. It can be hard to turn off your brain if you have too much pent-up energy, however, so in that case a walk or hike might work out better for you in the end. Play around with different experiences outdoors and try to find what works best for you.

Step 3: Make it a routine

A fixed routine helps in making your activity part of a schedule.

One of the most important things to do in order to be successful at unwinding in the outdoors is to turn it into a routine. Just like physical exercise, mental exercise is all too easy to blow off. You could use any excuse you want, including the weather, time, your mood, but ultimately, making excuses not to find a release is only going to cause you more grief.

Dedicating even just fifteen minutes a day to going outside and allowing your mind to get a break would be beneficial. You might find out that you are more relaxed and more present in the rest of your daily life.

Step 4: Don’t make it something that it is not

The entire point of being outside is to be able to enjoy it. It should not be a chore or something that you cringe when you think about it. If listening to the natural noises outside are not working, or if you are in a more urban area where they cannot be heard, find some beautiful and calming music to listen to while outside.

You will be able to spend time in the sun, wind, rain, or even snow, and let your brain disconnect from whatever it was working on before.

Step 5: Talk about it

Sharing is caring.

Another good way to get yourself committed to mentally unwinding is to tell other people about it. Whether it is a friend, family member, or even coworker, mentioning that you are doing something every day will make it more tangible and something you have committed to rather than an idea that is sitting in the back of your mind.

It can become more real if it is spoken aloud. You might well be surprised and find that you have a companion who would also like to spend outdoor time with you.

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