Find Nature

There are many places to find Nature somewhere nearby and you never know what you might discover if you safely follow the trail. March is a great time to wrap up and go outside to check out the first signs of Spring which is already well on its way.

Pathways and Bridleways

Find them on your local Ordinance Survey map where you can walk, ride or cycle on public footpaths, byways and bridleways that can be found almost everywhere in the British Isles. They cover over 140,000 miles here and 9,300 miles in Scotland. A good place to find out about Rights of Way and Public Footpaths in your area is through the Open Spaces Society.

Hedgerows and Lanes

Look out for the emergence of plants, buds, fern crosiers, ivy leaves, flowers and wildlife in your lanes and hedgerows through March as they start to come to life again. Take a daytime walk to see what's coming up or step out for a walk to see the Moon and stars shining through the branches of the trees.

Rivers and Streams

The higher you climb, the more you will find small brooks, streams and tributaries running down into ever larger and faster rivers flowing down to the sea. Clear springs can be found on moorland tors and rocky high ground which is an exciting pursuit when you trace your steps upwards, following the fresh water streams and tributaries as you go.

Forests and Woodland

If you have an ancient woodland or forest close to you, now is the time to visit. Leaves on the trees are just starting to bud appear, bursting with energy and life-giving oxygen. Ancient woodlands smell of damp soil with wild plants and fungi thriving as they have done for hundreds and thousands of years. Take in the healing energy, smells and essential oils of Nature's own healing sanctuaries.

Heathland and Moorland

Open heathland and moorland are the best places to feel you are truly out in the wild where the air is fresh and the views are spectacular. Healthland can be seen as 'scrubland' but nothing could be further from the truth, it's like stepping out onto a prairie. Experience the rugged atmosphere and texture of Nature's remote places to connect to the Earth and let your mind can wander in an expanse of imagination and wonder.

Connect with Nature

Walking

If you ever want a walk to seem shorter or if you need to completely wind down and relax, mindful and meditative walking is a great way to lose yourself in time and blend into the calming effect of the natural environment. This is where you focus on your steps and form a rhythm of breathing deeply in and out as you continue on your way.

As you breathe gently in, imagine your body being vitalised by the fresh air; as you breathe gently out, imagine all the stresses and strains leaving you and melting away. I can walk for miles like this, allowing my mind roam free and deal with anything that needs to be processed. A good meditative walk is like a therapy session where the unhelpful is cleared away and replaced with vital natural energy.

Observing

A good way to practice observational sitting is to allocate regular breaks and/or times during the day to simply be still and observe the natural world (or natural things) around you as a focused exercise. Anything made in Nature can provide an interesting focal point for our attention whether it's a bright coloured flower with tiny petals, a ladybird walking on a leaf or a stunning view of rolling hills, hedgerows and fields stretching out into the distance.

Taking time to appreciate Nature is not only very humbling (reminding us we are just a tiny part of the natural world) but also very rewarding. I am always surprised to notice things I haven't noticed before and how much all my senses are engaged - often opening the door to a whole new world ready to explore.

Listening

Nature can be quite loud sometimes and its good to tune in on all the sounds from the urgent-sounding caws of Crows to the tiny microscopic sounds of Beetles foraging through leaf litter or a lone bird chipping away at a fallen hazelnut. When you make a conscious choice to listen, you can hear a symphony of melodic vibrations coming from the air, the vegetation and the earth around you.

A favourite game is to listen to the birds and pick out one to whistle softly back to. This isn't easy for a rubbish whistler but I have experienced some delightful exchanges with songbirds who seemed to wait for my whistle and then reply, gradually making the notes more complicated. I have named the game, play that tune, and when out in the woods, fields and lanes, it always bring a smile to my day.

Watching

This is where it's helpful to have an obsession such as taking photographs or being interested in finding particular things. It is also the best activity to enjoy while sitting doing nothing. Find a comfortable place to sit and wait for something to happen. Before long you will be the sole audience in a dance of activity, busy-ness and the day-to-day life of a small fraction of Mother Nature's community and you can learn a lot.

I remember as a child being entertained for hours in this way. Being so close to the ground, I was drawn into the beautiful and magical miniature world of insects, caterpillars, bugs, beetles, spiders, ladybirds, snails and other extraordinary creatures in neverending variety, all doing very interesting things. We forget how interesting (and mesmerising) watching Nature is, and the first step is to stop and look around you..

Reading

This is perhaps one of the most overlooked ways that we can get closer to Nature, especially during the daylight hours. Finding a cosy place to sit indoors and read a book about Nature (or finding a cosy place outside to read any kind of book) is the perfect way to escape to places you might never be able to reach on foot. 

Reading is the perfect way to relax and sink into the rhythm of Nature whether you are inside or outside, on the move, relaxing or taking a break. It's an ideal activity if you are confined indoors for any reason - giving your imagination the opportunity to delight you and take you somewhere far away.