11 Ways to Immerse Yourself In Nature This Summer

By Cora Gold

Summer is ideal for embracing the outdoors, whether seeking tranquil or thrilling adventures. However, with more people exploring the outdoors, nature often feels the strain. To help preserve its beauty, here are 10 sustainable ways to enjoy and protect the natural world for future generations.

1. Take a Tech-Free Hike

Leave your phone on airplane mode and fully engage with the sights, sounds, and smells around you. You can choose between local trails or national parks. Hiking is a great way to slow down and appreciate nature. 

2. Try Wild Swimming

Find a clean, natural body of water — a lake, river or ocean — and take a refreshing dip. Not only is wild swimming great for your body and mind, but it also connects you with the elements in a way that pools just can’t. Just remember to wear reef-safe sunscreen and avoid touching or disturbing marine life. 

3. Walk Barefoot 

Walking barefoot on grass, sand, or oil — known as “earthing” — can help you feel more connected to the natural world. Direct contact with the earth’s surface has health benefits such as lowering cortisol levels and improving mental clarity while experiencing rejuvenating vacations.

4. Practice Forest Bathing

This Japanese practice, known as Shinrin-yoku, is all about mindfully experiencing the forest with all your senses. You just have to find a quiet spot, breathe deeply, and let the natural world wash over you. Moreover, leisurely forest walks lower stress hormone levels and boost immunity. 

5. Visit a Botanical or Wildlife Reserve

If you live in a city, botanical gardens, and wildlife reserves are great places to experience nature while supporting conservation efforts. Choosing local guided tours that teach about the area’s ecosystems can help you immerse in nature and culture.  

6. Try Foraging

Foraging for wild edibles like berries, mushrooms, and herbs is a fun way to connect with nature. Some quick tips for making it sustainable are researching local laws and avoiding over-forage; along with using appropriate secure tools. 

7. Go Birdwatching

To learn more about your local ecosystem, grab a pair of binoculars and start spotting birds. Birdwatching not only helps you connect with wildlife, but also encourages you to pay close attention to the environment. You can take a journal on your trip and list the species you see. If you live in the city, you may see peregrine falcons, and also at the beach. 

8. Explore Untouched Beaches 

During summer, you can skip the crowded tourist spots and look for more secluded, natural beaches. These areas often have healthier ecosystems, thriving tide pools, dunes, and wildlife. When visiting, be mindful of delicate habits — avoid stepping on dunes, pick up any litter you find, and never disturb nesting birds or marine life. 

9. Try Diving 

Exploring waterways is a beautiful way to see nature from a new perspective. If you want an adventurous summer, you can go diving, as it is a fantastic way to connect with animals respecting their environment. Trips like this highlight the importance of marine conservation and allow you to experience it firsthand. 

10. Start a Pollinator Garden

Immersing in nature can occur right at your own home. A way to support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators is by planting native flowers in your yard or balcony. Even a small patch of wildflowers can provide food and habitat for essential species that keep ecosystems healthy.

11. Go Camping 

Sleeping under the stars is a magical experience; camping in nature can be relaxing yet adventurous. Make sure you camp in designated areas, minimize campfire impacts, and leave everything as you find it — focusing on preserving nature.

Let the Summer Stories Begin

This summer, you can take every opportunity to step outside, breathe deeply, appreciate the world around you — and gather stories for years to come. Activities such as hiking, swimming, or simply sitting in the grass. These small moments in nature can be transformative. Just remember to respect and protect the environment along the way.

About the author: Cora Gold is a sustainability writer who aims to live a healthy, low-waste lifestyle. Read more from Cora in Revivalist magazine, LinkedIn and Twitter.