Why do we often feel like there is a need for us to leave the city once in a while? Why do we take mini vacations? Why do we sometimes feel unmotivated to do any work? Perhaps, it has a lot to do with our environment. When we live in the city, so much is going on, and it is easy to get caught up in everything surrounding you.
It seems that people are always in a hurry, and there is never enough time to just stake a breath and enjoy the moment. We hear things like, “There’s a bargain sale in this mall! You should check it out.” “Our boss called and moved the deadline to today.”
Just the thought of all these things happening at the same time can take a toll on our minds and body and, eventually, on our mental health. Imagine the number of cars that pass you by every time you are outside.
Think about the number of people you have to face every day. In fact, living in a city encourages our bodies to be in a stressful state. Environmental stress is a factor in most mental health disorders. In this article, we will talk about four reasons to escape the city for nature.
Feeling Closed In
No matter how spacious the space you might be living in when you are in the middle of the city, it does not feel as satisfactory and relaxing. More often than not, we try to design our homes to imitate the countryside, but once we step outside, we still feel discontent.
There’s probably so much noise pollution going around that no matter how we try to add greens to our environment or we create artificial sounds to imitate the sound of forests, we still cannot achieve total peace and relaxation. We feel closed in, as though we can only achieve that peace for a short period unless we move to a different place.
Soul-Searching
Another reason to escape the city is for soul searching. Moving closer to nature will give us more clarity about what we truly want in life and the best ways to achieve it. We may not find this if we are busy every day achieving quotas, making calls, walking to the next meeting, and always striving for the extra mile instead of enjoying our present status quo.
Many people eventually choose to move to the countryside because they are fed up with so much competition and simply want to slow down and find their purpose in life. Thanks to remote work, we are now equipped to work anywhere we want.
Excited to work from somewhere else? Be sure to take a pair of unisex sunglasses with a prescription with you. After all, our physical health is just as important as our mental health, and you owe it to yourself to preserve your inner sanctum.
Pollution
Another reason is pollution – noise, air, and water pollution. Because so many people crowd into the cities, so much waste is also produced. Would you want to stay long in a place like that? Some countries like Singapore have been very successful in keeping their cities clean, but not all of us have the luxury to move to a country that we desire; therefore, your safest bet is suburban living.
Don’t you just want to be able to wake up every day to the view of the mountain or the sound of the sea, wherein the sea is just a few meters from your home, and you can take a dip anytime? Just the thought of it feels so exciting, not to mention that you can be more productive at work with a healthy state of mind.
Catharsis
Merriam-Webster defines catharsis as purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from tension. Being close to or within nature gives us a more relaxed feeling. Some people argue that it’s hard to achieve a sense of achievement when you are in a relaxed environment.
But, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, more people have embraced slowing down, doing things at home, like working from home, enjoying activities from their backyard and it wasn’t so bad after all. It felt good to care better for ourselves- our bodies and our minds.
These are just some of the reasons to escape the city for nature. Being in a peaceful place gives us clarity, peace of mind, and joy. Would you consider moving close to nature soon? The notion of living a bit off the grid may be just what you need to find the solace you have been seeking.
