Nothing substitutes for being in the actual presence of nature. But indoor nature connection, even without outdoor physical interaction is good for mental health. And physical activities like hiking, jogging, or walking in nature is excellent for physical health while also contributing to mental health.

“Time spent in nature can boost physical and mental well-being. – Harvard | T.H. Chan | School of Public Health

Making the Nature Connection

There are many ways to make the indoor nature connection. I still need it, even though I live in the middle of near-wilderness. Sometimes the weather is just too cold, or windy, or I’m not feeling like going outside.

Nature Journaling

Nature journaling is one method that facilitates connection. Today I made my entry while sitting inside at this computer with a photo I liked of the outdoors on my screen.

Even though I wasn’t literally IN nature at the time, it still gave me a sense of connection while I wrote my entry. Ideally, I would go outside to do this, but today is 20*F and the wind is howling. No thank you. I’m not that dedicated.

Here’s my post from the comfort of indoors, narrated in a video:

Art for your Nature Connection

Being in the presence of evocative nature art helps forge connections. I’ve stood before some paintings in museums that made me feel as if I were actually there, on location viewing what the artist saw.

I also have a lot of art that would help connect anyone to nature. My paints are made from the rocks here, bones I find, and soot collected from our chimney when we clean it every fall. So not only does most of my work depict nature, it’s MADE FROM nature.

Giant Terrariums

If you’re ever able to see one of the huge glass vivariums like the one we saw in Paris, that is like being in nature for real. It was incredible to be among the plants, and each section featured different ecosystems.

On a smaller scale, keeping plants indoors creates a sense of nature. Unfortunately, my thumb is black when it comes to indoor plants, so I try to avoid experimenting anymore with that. But I could live in the vivarium I saw in Paris, lol.

Connect to Nature with Me via Skool

I’m building a community where nature connection is the focus. So far, I have a paint-making course completely uploaded. The Nature Journaling course is underway, Plant Walks are just beginning. And when I work on my paintings in progress, I’ll post studio sessions, too.

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