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Do you find yourself daydreaming about a peaceful country retreat right now? You are not alone in your feelings! Being confined indoors for an extended period has only increased our desire to experience the fresh air and beauty of nature, and to savor every moment we spend there.
If you’re one of the many city dwellers looking to trade urban sprawl for rural escapism, we’ve got some ideas for your next adventure that will clear your mind and cleanse your soul.
Are you ready to answer the call of the country’s silence? Here are four different ways for you to get out of town right now and put an end to your cabin fever.
Make an effort to comprehend the universe
A trip to see the stars is an excellent way to disconnect from the stresses of city life, rediscover the beauty of nature, and put your worries aside (if only for a little while). When you’re gazing up at a sky filled with stars and awestruck by their beauty, it’s difficult to be distracted by nagging thoughts.
It makes no difference where you live; if the conditions are favorable, you will be able to see the splendor of the cosmos regardless of where you are. Get out of town to find clear skies in the countryside, or use this page to find the closest dark sky park or reserve.
After that, all you need is a few blankets, a few chairs, a good pair of binoculars, and an app to help you identify the various constellations for a once-in-a-lifetime stargazing excursion.
Take excursions to nearby natural wonders
How often have you chosen to visit more remote locations around the world rather than significant locations in your backyard?
We all have incredible natural attractions within easy driving distance of our homes, whether it’s a large lake or a majestic mountain range, a little-known walking trail, or a roaring waterfall. Some of these sights are better known than others.
Making a list of all of those attractions and planning a trip to see them in person is a great reason to get out of town for a few days and explore new places. This can be accomplished by making a list of all of the attractions and planning to visit them in person.
Turn off all electronic devices
If the lockdown has taught us anything, it is that we need to make more time to relax, spend more time outside, and prioritize taking breaks from our normal day-to-day activities. Fortunately, going off the grid allows you to complete all of the above tasks in a single session.
If you want to go on a vacation that is truly a “digital detox,” look for places with expansive vistas and unspoiled nature as the main attractions. It could be a self-contained lodge nestled between mountain peaks, a blissfully isolated campground, or a charming cottage only a few kilometers from the nearest town center. You get extra credit for your answer if the Wi-Fi connection is a little spotty, or even if there is no Wi-Fi at all.
Because you won’t be tempted to check your email or scroll through your Instagram feed, you’ll be able to devote your full attention to what’s important: pressing the “reset” button and spending quality time with the people who matter the most to you.
Arrange a relaxing vacation in the woods
Have you ever gone for a walk in the woods with no particular destination in mind? That is, you were not following a hiking trail, you were not setting up a campsite, and you had no specific destination in mind — you were simply present. You didn’t have a strategy.
Shinrin-yoku, also known as forest bathing, is a Japanese concept that refers to the act of practicing mindfulness in natural settings. We rarely find ourselves in the wilderness without something to see or do, but this is the foundation of the practice. Going for a walk in the woods is not only simple, but it also has a variety of health benefits, including a reduction in anxiety and an increase in feelings of happiness, among other things.
So, how do you go about organizing your trip to go forest bathing? Choose a location close to nature, such as a hotel near a nature reserve or a rustic cabin nestled within a national park, and plan to stay for at least a few days to reap the full benefits of this popular Japanese activity.
When it comes time to go hiking in the woods, make sure to leave your phone and camera at home. The only thing you have to do is walk around aimlessly and slowly, taking in and appreciating the sights and sounds you come across along the way. Spend some time admiring the natural beauty around you by taking a deep breath of fresh air, listening to birds sing, and gazing at the sunlight shining through the tree branches.
Forest bathing requires you to use all five of your senses to fully immerse yourself in your surroundings while also calming your mind, body, and spirit.