Why your relationship could use a bit of nature
Despite what many of us have grown up seeing on TV and reading in magazines, being a good partner takes time, practice and a little bit of work.
Despite what many of us have grown up seeing on TV and reading in magazines, being a good partner takes time, practice and a little bit of work.
While a little space is all we really need, the frantic pace we live our modern lives leaves little room for it. We run from meeting to meeting, everything’s a priority except the time and space required to properly connect with each other - leaving a lot of us miscommunicating, feeling apart, and lacking the psychological safety to talk plainly enough to solve what should be simple issues.
Luckily there’s a solution - nature. Getting off the grid together, with no-one around except yourselves, surrounded by nothing but nature, has the power to be transformative to our relationships whether it’s something you do at a specific point in time or make regular space for among your regular routines.
Here we look at the scientific reasons why, and provide you a few simple guidelines of how to do it if you’d like to:
Scientific Benefits of Spending Time in Nature for Relationships
Promotes Empathy and Compassion: Engaging with nature has been shown to increase feelings of empathy and compassion. This is crucial for deepening understanding and enhancing emotional connections between partners. Nature's calming effect can lead to more patient, empathetic interactions, fostering a more harmonious relationship.
Reduces Stress and Tension: The serenity of natural environments significantly lowers stress levels, creating an atmosphere where couples can more easily connect and communicate without the barriers of daily stressors. This relaxed state encourages openness and closeness, essential ingredients for a strong relationship.
Encourages Communication and Collaboration: Shared outdoor activities require cooperation and can improve communication skills. Overcoming challenges together in nature strengthens bonds and enhances feelings of teamwork and partnership.
Fosters Gratitude and Appreciation: Time spent in awe-inspiring landscapes has been proven to evoke feelings of gratitude and appreciation. Sitting in these vast spaces has the power to change our perspectives and create a greater appreciation for each other and the relationship.
Improves Cohesion and Togetherness: A study observed that engaging in activities in natural settings, such as walking, led to improved attention, fun, and relaxation for families, and notably, increased cohesion and a sense of unity.
Putting It into Practice: Embracing Nature Together
Plan Regular Nature Escapes: Whether it’s a nighttime walk outside, a monthly hike or a quarterly trip off the grid, regularly getting into nature, as part of our relationship’s routine, is important to ensure the time for uninterrupted connection with each other’s in the calendar before things pass us by.
Disconnect to Reconnect: Ditch your phones to fully immerse yourselves in the experience. The undivided attention towards each other and the environment can significantly enhance your connection and provide a break from the day-to-day.
Engage in Shared Activities: Choose activities that both of you can enjoy and participate in together. Mindful cooking, building a fire, walking, reading or listening to music, generally something analog that you can both take part in creates a sense of togetherness that daily-life sometimes forces us to lose.
Reflect and Communicate: Use the chilled vibes of your natural surroundings as a backdrop for open, genuine conversations. Discuss your thoughts, feelings, and dreams without the distractions and stress of the outside world.
Practice Mindfulness: Be fully present with each other. Notice the small details of the natural world around you and the subtle nuances of your partner's expressions and actions. Slowing down allows us to notice things we might otherwise miss.
Incorporating nature into your relationship isn't just about escaping the routine; it's about rediscovering each other and forging a deeper, more meaningful connection. By stepping away from the digital world and into the embrace of the natural one, we can find a powerful antidote to the pressures of modern life, enhancing the way we understand one another in powerful ways.