Valerie Varnuska, a resident of Westbury, NY, firmly believes that connecting with nature fosters good health and wellness. When she can, Valerie Varnuska frequently spends time outdoors hiking.. While being outdoors reduces muscle tension, improves focus, and lowers heart rate, there are certain situations when getting outside is not an option. Fortunately, whether you’re home-bound due to weather, sickness, or any other reason, you can still connect with nature in the following ways: Look at nature scenes It may not seem like it, but looking at nature scenes does wonders for decreasing stress levels and boosting compassion, according to a study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. This is likely due to the fact that viewing pictures of nature activates the parasympathetic nervous system, thus helping the body calm down. Grow an indoor garden There are plenty of plants that you can successfully grow indoors, from succulents to sweet potatoes. If you find yourself unable to enjoy nature outdoors, you can easily bring nature indoors by creating a terrarium or small garden at home. Having these plants in your home increases your attention and reduces both anxiety and stress. Listen to nature sounds Similar to looking at scenes of nature, listening to sounds from nature also has a relaxing effect on people. In fact, nature sounds reduce people’s stress, muscle tension, and heart rates more than listening to silence or classical music. Further, these benefits were seen after only about six minutes of listening to nature sounds.

1. Three Ways of Connecting With Nature
When Indoors
Valerie Varnuska

2. Introduction
Valerie Varnuska, a resident of Westbury, NY, firmly believes that connecting with
nature fosters good health and wellness. When she can, Valerie Varnuska frequently
spends time outdoors hiking..

3. While being outdoors reduces muscle tension, improves focus, and lowers heart rate,
there are certain situations when getting outside is not an option. Fortunately, whether
you’re home-bound due to weather, sickness, or any other reason, you can still connect
with nature in the following ways:

4. Look at nature scenes
It may not seem like it, but looking at nature scenes does wonders for decreasing
stress levels and boosting compassion, according to a study in the International
Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. This is likely due to the fact
that viewing pictures of nature activates the parasympathetic nervous system, thus
helping the body calm down.

5. Grow an indoor garden
There are plenty of plants that you can successfully grow indoors, from
succulents to sweet potatoes. If you find yourself unable to enjoy nature
outdoors, you can easily bring nature indoors by creating a terrarium or small
garden at home. Having these plants in your home increases your attention and
reduces both anxiety and stress.

6. Listen to nature sounds
Similar to looking at scenes of nature, listening to sounds from nature also has a
relaxing effect on people. In fact, nature sounds reduce people’s stress, muscle
tension, and heart rates more than listening to silence or classical music.
Further, these benefits were seen after only about six minutes of listening to
nature sounds.