by Sophia Smith: Reconnecting with Mother Nature is one of the most rewarding journeys we can take in these trying times.

The bustling, tech-driven modern life is disconnecting us from our roots, forcing us to chase material rewards, and to forever fall behind in the pursuit of true meaning and happiness in life. Add to that, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought many uncertainties into our lives, and so we need to find a way to regain our mental and spiritual balance, to regain our focus in life, and reconnect with the natural world around us to find peace.

The best way to achieve this is, without a doubt, to take a trip into nature, and immerse ourselves in the beauty and serenity of Mother Nature’s embrace. We don’t need to conquer the tallest mountains in the world to do that, we simply need to venture into the great outdoors, into the wilderness, far away from the bustling cities and the havoc of the modern world.

But when you’re out there, you need to stay safe. Here are the tips and essentials you need to enjoy the wilderness in all its glory.

Get to know the destination

You might want nothing more than to throw caution to the wind and simply disappear for a while, let the road take you wherever and allow nature to guide your journey. While there is something truly alluring in that idea, it’s important to come prepared when you’re going on a nature escapade, especially if you want to explore some secluded spots seldom visited by other nature lovers.

When you’re planning to go into the wild, you should research your destination(s) thoroughly. You want to make sure that the weather is going to be fair during your trip, that the local climate suits you, and that the local area is generally safe. If you plan to go camping in the wild, you should check whether or not it is allowed, and where you can go wild camping safely.

Work on your physical fitness before you go

Your nature escapade shouldn’t be a daunting physical challenge, nor should you go into nature to strain yourself physically – you’re going to reconnect with the natural world and find inner balance and peace, after all. That said, it’s still important to note that any natural excursion will require some level of physical fitness, because of the rugged terrains, the long walks, and maybe even some lengthy hikes you’re bound to embark on.

To reconnect with Mother Nature, you can’t stay in a single spot, you need to explore and immerse yourself in your surroundings, and to do that, you need to be fit enough. In the weeks leading up to your trip, be sure to adhere to regular exercise at home, a mix of resistance training and some light cardio. You can even take up jogging and running in your neighborhood to prepare yourself for your lengthy excursion in the wild.

Bring some essential tools

To stay safe in the wilderness, you need to bring the right set of tools, starting with your first-aid kit. This kit should contain everything you need to patch up a wound quickly, should you cut or injure yourself in any way during your trip. Even more importantly, though, you should bring an essential multipurpose tool like a durable OTF knife that you can use for a variety of things, like cutting food on the go, making small carvings in the trees to ease wayfinding, and the like. There are many uses for a good knife in the wild, and it’s important to have one at your side at all times.

Likewise, don’t forget to bring your camping essentials if you plan to pitch a tent and stay for a couple of days in the wild. Bring plenty of layers so that you always have dry clothes available as well, to ward off a cold should the weather turn on you.

Rely on technology and traditional wayfinding

We escape into nature to disconnect from the digital world, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t rely on technology to keep us safe. Sure, you can disconnect from your devices, but make sure to bring them with you and keep them at your side. You never know when you’ll need to use your phone’s GPS system, or call for help if need be.

That said, there’s no telling when your smartphone might die on you, so be sure to bring a physical map and a compass with you as well. This will help with wayfinding and ensure you always return to camp safe and sound.

Notify your family and friends of your trip

Last but not least, make sure that people know where you’re going, how long you’re staying, and how they can reach you. This is one of the most important tips for staying safe in the wild, so don’t leave until you’ve notified your friends and family of your trip.

You should also notify your local police station and ask them to swing by your house every once in a while to make sure everything is in order. They will then know when to expect your return and will be able to act quickly should you fail to report in.

Over to you

One of the best things you can do this year is to take a trip into nature. In order to enjoy Mother Nature’s embrace to the fullest, make sure to follow these tips to stay safe and healthy on your trip.

Sophia Smith is a lifestyle blogger, graphic designer and a food enthusiast. She is very passionate about eco-friendly and green topics, sustainable fashion, eco beauty, and conscious business. Sophia’s other hobbies centre around her love for yoga, wellness rituals and living in balance with nature. She loves sharing meaningful content that inspires people and has covered topics ranging from organic products and sustainability to self-care and mental health. Sophia has contributed to a number of publications including Eco Warrior Princess, Naughty Nutrition, Herbs Mother Earth Living, Yoga Trade, Sivana Spirit, Bonvita Style, High Style Life, Carousel, and Cause Artist.

You can find out more about her writing by following her on Twitter (@sophia_bri) 

Contact: sophia.smith.bri@gmail.com