If you’re anything like me, you know how difficult it can be to stop doom scrolling and go outside. Staring at screens for too long can harm your overall well-being, and reconnecting with nature can be a great way to break out of the excessive screen cycle. This can be as simple as going on a walk outside to as involved as camping. Here are a range of ways to get off your phone and reconnect with nature.

Houseplants
An easy way to reconnect with the environment is to bring nature to you by purchasing houseplants. Whether a houseplant is low or high maintenance, they will need some care on either a daily or weekly basis. Adding a plant’s care to a morning or night routine can help replace doom scrolling habits. Houseplants also add greenery to your home, which can help improve your mood, decrease stress, and increase productivity. When purchasing your first houseplant, there are many low maintenance options to choose from. Just be sure to check if the plant is safe for any pets you may have. 

Going on an Intentional Walk
Taking a short walk around your neighborhood can be a quick, simple way to get off your phone and go outside. Rather than listening to music, be intentional about your walk by observing the environment around you. Even if you live in a city, there is always some aspect of nature that you can observe. While walking, look at the sky and note its color and the shape of the clouds. Take notice of the plants around you, whether it’s a tree or grass peaking through a sidewalk crack. Note the temperature of the air and how it feels on your face. Listen to the noises around you and see if you can hear any birds or other wildlife. Noticing these small details can be a quick way to clear your mind and ground you in the present after an endless scrolling session.

Hiking
Going out to a local trail is a good way to stay away from your phone screen for a longer period of time while also reconnecting with nature. Hiking forces you to pay attention to your surroundings so you can stay safe on the trail, meaning you have to put the phone down and embrace the scenery around you. You can also invite a couple friends to hike with you. It can be a great way to reconnect with friends while at the same time encouraging them and yourself to stay off the internet for a couple of hours. Hiking has the added benefit of improving your mental and physical health as well. Whether you are a seasoned hiker or just starting out, there are trails that match your skill level. There are accessible trails as well for disabled hikers, making hiking a great activity for anyone looking to stop doom scrolling by going outside.

Camping
One of the best ways to reconnect with nature while staying off your phone is to go on a camping trip. Camping is complex. You have to gather your supplies, find a camping spot, set up your tent, and much more, shifting your focus from excessive screen time to staying safe out in nature. If you are a beginner, go with a friend or a local camping club. Camping can be a good way to meet other outdoorsy people in the area while spending a weekend away from your phone. There are also a multitude of guides online that can help prepare you for camping safely. If traditional camping seems too daunting, you don’t have to pitch a tent and sleep on the ground. There are cabins or camper vans you can rent for a weekend. Camping can be as difficult or easy as you want it to be. The goal is to get away from screens, have fun and go outside. 

Just saying you want to stop the endless scrolling cycle can be hard when you don’t know what to replace that time with. Going out in nature can provide this distraction from our screens while having the added benefit of clearing our minds. This can be as simple as getting a houseplant and replacing your daily doom scroll session with caring for your new plant. Or it can be as complicated as going out in nature and camping away from home for a weekend. Doom scrolling can make us forget there is a whole world outside of our screens, so go outside and appreciate the beauties of nature instead!