Nature has been one of the most important things that has helped us to get through 2020. Outdoor spaces have allowed us to have a moment of escapism from a world pandemic. Research has shown that 89% of people are taking regular local walks (an increase from 77%) and around 20% running or cycling (up from 5%).Having spent so much time outdoors this year 63% of those stating their experiences had helped them de-stress, relax and unwind, and 58% felt energised and revitalised. We can all get our daily dose of nature by going for a walk in your local area or even just some gardening.
So here we round up our top 5 biophilic resolutions for 2021.
Yoga Garden Walk with Bamboo Trellis Image Credit - Greg Kluempers
Bring Nature Indoors
We can all bring a little bit of nature indoors by filling our homes with plant life and even creating our own little indoor jungle. House plants are a really simple way to help boost your mood and even improve the air quality of the room. As well as just sitting there looking beautiful on your shelves or windowsill. Why not give it a try?
One of the cheapest and easiest ways to multiple your houseplant supply is through propagate the house plants you already own. What is propagation? Do I hear your ask? Propagation is the process of breeding a plant from the parent plant.
The plants we would recommend trying are:
- Swiss cheese plant (Monstera)
- Devil’s roots (Epipremnum aureum)
- Chinese evergreen (aglaonema commutatum)
- Spider plant (chlorophytum comosum)
Link of how to propagate a plant
Hilton Carter’s home, (Image credit: Liz Calka)
CHIAFRÖN Plant pot, white. Image Credit - IKEA
Make your Garden or Outdoor Space More Biodiverse
This is very simple even if you only have access to a small balcony or large garden. Either of these spaces can be created into a green haven for birds, insects and mammals. A simple way to start is by growing a variety of plants species that offer lots of different forms of wildlife.
Raised Herb Bed, Image Credit - Vintage Romance Style
If you have the space in the garden, try and let a corner of the garden grow wild. This will allow for natural debris like logs and leaves to pile up and create a habitat or burrowing place for many species.
You could also try growing butterfly loving plants. In particular the orange tip butterfly is attracted to certain plants such as Milkmaid (Cardinals pratensis) and Garlic Mustard (Alliaria Petiolate).
Milkmaids, Image Credit - Victorian Native Seed
Garlic Mustard - Image credit - Pintrest
Even try planting wildflowers whether that be in a plant pot on your balcony or on the grass in your garden, you can attract pollinating bees. By having disperses of wildflowers along your grass you can create the perfect habitat for insects. The flowers we would recommend are Corn Marigold (Glebionis segetum) or Poppies (Papaver Rhoeas).
Magnolia Trees and Daffodils at Kew Gardens, Image Credit - Laura Nolte
Commit to a Green Workspace
Since we are going to be working from home a lot more, when it comes to your home office. Give yourself a view whether that be a desk by the window or artwork of nature on the wall. Add some greenery to your desk through a few house plants or cacti. This will help add a green interest your room. Create a sense of calmness by having a humidifier or diffuser to emit natural aromas around the room. If you’re lucky enough to have an Alexa why not get Alexa to play some peaceful sounds of babbling streams or rainfall.
Françoise Webbed Desk, Image Credit - Rose & Grey
New London home for @pslab by @jamesplumbstudio, Image Credit - FrameMagazine
Explore Green Spaces
Work off those Christmas treats with a walk-through nature. Go for a walk in your local green area whether that be a walk into the woods, by the river or even just in a park. You can even try out new trail routes on Plotaroute.
Regents Canal -Image Credit © Chiara Dalla Rosa / Culture Trip
A Walk in the Forest, Image Credit - Fine Art America
Embrace the Art of Nature
With the new year starting it’s all about trying new things. Why not immerse yourself into the world of art and creativity. Learn how to create gorgeous botanical art yourself.
Botanical paintings and drawings are where art meets science. They tell the story of the intricate details of plants and can also be used for plant documentation.
The simplest plants to start illustrating are
- Primrose
- Holly
- Cotoneaster
- Anemones
- Stargazer lily
Green Garden by Zzen Image Credit - DeviantArt
Tropical Floral Pattern Image Credit - Displate
For some artistic inspiration, check out the virtual gallery tours of Paradise Lostexhibition and Marianne north gallery.
With this in mind let us know what your news year’s resolutions are for 2021?
