How to Make the Most of a Nature Experience
Can you think of a time in nature when you felt truly inspired or at peace? Maybe it was playing in the woods as a child, standing victorious atop a mountain summit, or planting flowers in your garden.
Nature has a way of calming our nervous systems, helping us feel more relaxed and at ease. It also enhances creativity and encourages fresh perspectives on life.
In my daily life, I make it a priority to get outside, even if it's just for a walk around the neighborhood. A simple stroll can help me decompress after work or boost my energy for the rest of the day.
Yet it’s not just about getting outside (though that’s good), it’s about how you experience nature that makes all the difference! To make the most of your time in nature—whether it's a short walk or an immersive retreat—consider these approaches:
Let Curiosity Lead the Way. What do you notice through your senses? We often experience nature primarily through sight, but go deeper! What does the sap of a tree smell like? What textures are present? How does it feel to hear the rustling of leaves in the wind?
Tap into Your Intuition. If time and space allow, drop the agenda and follow your inner guide. What feels interesting or fun? Where do you feel drawn? Maybe it’s sitting under a tree, jumping into a lake, or lying on a boulder to gaze at the stars. Of course, always use common sense to stay safe.
Put the Phone Away. While smartphones are useful, setting them aside allows you to fully immerse yourself in the moment. Many of us have become conditioned to check our phones frequently, seeking the dopamine hit of notifications. You’ll experience deeper benefits by creating boundaries around phone use during your time in nature.
Spending extended time in secluded natural spaces deepens the experience. Nature has a way of healing us—providing clarity, sparking new insights, and helping us see challenges from a fresh perspective. You might have an "aha" moment about a project, a realization about a personal challenge, or a clearer understanding of a conflict.
A few times each year, I retreat into the woods for several days, setting aside responsibilities, limiting phone use, and letting my nervous system unwind. My favorite way to experience nature is through backpacking, carrying everything I need—tent, sleeping bag, food, and clothing—on my back. One of my favorite moments on these trips is sitting by a creek and simply listening. It’s amazing how life shifts when there’s no email to check and no phone calls to answer. Here I can appreciate little moments of beauty, usually with very simple things like watching a leaf fall or an eagle fly overhead. Learning how to receive these moments and let them touch the heart is something many of us have forgotten—through the events I offer, I help people remember.
On the retreats I lead, I design experiences around specific themes. Nurtured by Nature focuses on receiving nature’s rejuvenating benefits and creating beauty in life. On the backpacking trip Stronger Together, we explore the power of collaboration—with both nature and each other. If you want to practice the art of what you pay attention to and how, I also have a meditation course you can check out here.
Sharing what I’ve learned about nature and witnessing people’s perspectives shift through these experiences is a true joy. When people spend time in nature, especially in an intentional way, it changes how they see themselves and the world.
Laura Adrian is a Retreat Facilitator, Speaker, and Writer who is a catalyst for transformative experiences that connect thousands globally to the healing power of nature.
Laura has an eclectic background in mindfulness, yoga, spirituality, and herbalism. Her connection with nature has deepened by spending over 365 nights in the wilderness. She is a certified mindfulness teacher through UC Berkeley and she has travelled across the US teaching workshops that bring people closer to the natural world.
Laura Adrian will be sharing workshops two workshops where participants will be guided through practices to deepen their connection to the natural world and open to new wisdom through nature. We’ll explore the healing power of trees through direct connection. Participants will also be explore the wisdom of nature as we attune to changes, seasons, and cycles. From these workshops, participants will learn simple, yet powerful practices that they’ll be able to take home and integrate into their life to cultivate resilience, inner strength, and wisdom for turbulent times.