Including Nature in Hygge Life | 30 Days of Hygge Challenge

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If you are following along my 30 days of Hygge journey you will know by now that I’m testing to see if my own routines that I created years ago to help my family aligns with Hygge life. I hadn’t heard of Hygge until last year so I was curious enough to do some research into what is Hygge and commit to 30 days of Hygge challenge. I’m on Day 3 today, and the task was to watch a sunrise and sunset.

In short, I failed.

I honestly tried, but my home is too deep into an urban setting to get a good view of either. When it wasn’t working out I was just frustrated at myself because I felt like I was being impatient. I was given a task and it was supposed to be relaxing and beautiful. It was supposed to be a way for me to connect to nature.

Instead, all I could think about were the amazing sunrises and sunsets I grew up seeing in my small prairie town. They were massive, vibrant, and breath-taking. They never disappointed, ever.

That got me thinking about why the Hygge challenge had me spend time seeking out a sunset or sunrise. I dug deeper and found that there are many benefits to connecting with nature, even for just a small moment every day.

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Benefits of Connecting with Nature

Studies have shown that spending a few moments connecting with nature has many benefits for people. Urban living can be challenging and some people don’t take the time to be in nature or even view it daily. This is reflecting on increased health costs and mental health concerns today.

Experts have proven that even just spending a few moments looking at nature can:

• reduce stress,
• improve concentration and productivity,
• improve mental health

Now if you spend time in nature you show improvement with:

• energy
• anxiety
• anger
• fatigue
• sadness
• stress levels
• attention span

Including Nature in Hygge Life

The science is right. Nature is beneficial for improving mental health. Even though I wasn’t successful at seeing a sunset or sunrise, I did spend a few moments soaking in the late afternoon sun last night. I sat on my front porch and listened to the birds, the hum of traffic and watched the wind flow through the trees.

In addition, the lilacs are in bloom this week and I took in their glorious beauty. Thankfully my gut health has fixed my allergy to lilacs and I can enjoy them again.

So if you are like me and can’t see a beautiful sunset or sunrise from your yard, here’s a list of ways to include nature in Hygge life:

1. Take a drive to see the sunset or sunrise
2. Go camping
3. A walk around the neighborhood
4. A walk around the local park or along a hiking trail
5. Sit by the window and watch nature outside
6. Plant a garden
7. Visit a conservatory
8. Visit a National Park
9. Go for a drive in the country to see the stars
10. Sit outside on your lunch break and take in the fresh air

Drop a comment below and let me know how you include nature in your Hygge life.  I’d love to hear from you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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