Appreciating the nature around us involves developing a mindful and deep connection with the natural world, which is what we spoke about with “Rewild Yourself” author Simon Barnes. When we purposefully pay attention to the intricacies in our surroundings, we unlock the opportunity to experience the awe, sustenance, and unexpected delights that nature generously bestows upon us. Here are some tips on how to cultivate a greater appreciation for nature:

• Spend time outdoors
• Practice mindfulness
• Observe wildlife
• Learn about nature
• Keep a nature journal
• Disconnect from technology
• Seasonal awareness
• Leave no trace
• Connect with others
• Solo time
• Nature-based hobbies
• Contribute to conservation
• Practice gratitude
• Art and creativity
• Reflect on interconnectedness

Appreciating nature is a personal and ongoing journey. It’s about developing a deep and heartfelt connection with the world around you. The more you immerse yourself in nature and actively engage with it, the more profound your appreciation is likely to become.

So how do we go about appreciating nature?

Thanks to the following author for participating:

Simon Barnes is a journalist and author, who wrote a weekly wildlife column in the Saturday edition of The Times until 2014, as well as being the paper’s chief sportswriter. After learning his craft writing for local newspapers in Surrey, he worked out of Hong Kong for four years, and joined The Times on his return to the UK – writing in particular about cricket, football and tennis over a 32 year span.

He is the author of some 20 books, most of them about wildlife or birdwatching – a lifelong interest. These include the best-selling How to be a Bad Birdwatcher, and Ten Million Aliens, a book about the entire animal kingdom. He contributes regularly to the RSPB magazine, Nature’s Home, is a council member of the World Land Trust, which buys land for wildlife conservation in the developing world, a patron of Save the Rhino, and honorary vice-president of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. He was awarded the Rothschild Medal for services to conservation. We talked about his incredible book “Rewild Yourself: 23 Spells for Making Hidden Things Visible.”

Other wonderful guests who took part:

De-stress & Wellness Coach Lillian Lartey.

Hannah Ross can be found on Instagram @goddesstarotsociety.

Jen Le Marinel, coach and founder of Wildfire Walks.

Here are some of the resources from the show:

George Monbiot is a trained zoologist, and has worked as a nature journalist as well as for environmentalist organisations. Feral (2013) is both an analysis and a manifesto. Author Monbiot addresses what people are lacking in their day-to-day lives: nature and true wilderness. The book argues that certain areas should be left to nature and rewilded, and that the benefits of doing so – to both the planet and people – will soon follow.

Books looked at this week:

Simon Barnes: Rewild Yourself: 23 Spellbinding Ways to Make Nature More Visible

George Monbiot: Feral: Rewilding the Land, Sea and Human Life

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