Happiness in leading a simple life close to nature

[at****]

Being present in the moment leads to encountering life and consequently one feels the real joy or sorrow depending on what one encounters in the moment. I had been a urban cerebral man all my life, leading a life of an intellectual through a profession of being a university professor. My experience of such a life is about being in either present or past and hung up in your head all the time, never really encountering life which passes by. Though in such a situation, my one hobby of taking long yearly holiday to roam in the nature in an unplanned manner saved my sanity for so many years. Lately as i crossed 50 years of my age, i feel like changing the pattern of my life and just move closer to the nature without elaborately planning it so that i will need to be spontaneously responding to situations i encounter on the way. I am tired being hung up in the head. 

[Li****]

I find that so many of us are realising that being closer to nature brings more peace and helps with stress and mental health struggles. It's interesting that such a simple step as spending time by the sea, in a forest etc. brings us so much positive energy and calm, yet till many of us find it hard to prioritise doing just that. ? 

[vz****]

I have retreated to my mountain home surrounded by birds, flowers,rabbits and lovely neighbors.

[Mr****]

My mental health has improved amazingly since I decided to slow my life right down and spend as much time as I can outdoors in nature. I live in a very suburban area of central Scotland, just outside Glasgow, but I have come to appreciate even the smallest patches of greenery. I call them the urban edgelands, and they are just as vital to health as more established and more traditionally considered 'beautiful' areas. If I can't get outside every day for at least 30 minutes I really notice it.

[Tine]

One of my greatest sources of happiness, calm and relaxation is the garden. I also enjoy walks on the woods or the courtryside with the dog but seeing the plants grow and the seasons change the vegetation and being aware of those tiny little changes grounds my and filly me with joy.

[Berta]

I couldn't agree more. As I wake up from the illusion of endless growth, the need to have more/ "better"/ newer/ trendier things experiencing sufficiency is so rewarding. It brings and abundance of peace and gratitude to my life rather than an abundance of things.