Learning to be open in any type of relationship can be easier said than done. It involves being vulnerable, opening up, and sharing your thoughts and feelings with the other person. Many reasons can explain this difficulty, such as having been hurt or disappointed in the past.

Here are 6 tips to help you become more open in your personal relationships:

A Dose of Happiness

Being in contact with nature makes us feel better. Researchers at King’s College London have found that being outdoors in cities and seeing trees, hearing birdsong, admiring the blue sky, and feeling connected to nature increases our feelings of well-being. (1)

Regularly connecting with nature helps make us happier. Furthermore, immersing ourselves in the sights and sounds of nature promotes calm and is therefore an ideal pick-me-up to help us unwind at the end of a busy day or week.

Make connecting with nature a habit by taking daily walks and paying particular attention to the number of trees you encounter, how often you hear birdsong, and how their songs change. If it’s a busy day and you can’t go outside, leaving a window open so you can hear the birds singing will still help you maintain that connection. When you have more time to explore what nature has to offer, following a marked trail or taking a walk along the river or coastline is a fantastic way to boost your well-being.

Connecting with nature also provides the perfect opportunity to slow down, pause, and attune ourselves to our surroundings. For example, observing how plants reflect light and discovering how leaves change color in autumn. Paying more attention to these small details can help engage our senses. Jotting down something beautiful you saw or describing three nature-related moments that made you smile is a great way to practice daily introspection.

Relax and Observe

Forest bathing, also known as Shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese concept that encourages people to spend time in nature. According to research conducted by Chiba University in Japan, being surrounded by trees can have benefits for concentration and memory. Chemical substances emitted by trees and plants, called phytoncides, have been found to be beneficial to the immune system. The research findings prompted the Japanese government to incorporate Shinrin-yoku into the country's health program. (2)

Forest medicine expert Dr. Qing Li is the author of the book Shinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing. Dr. Qing believes that we were designed to be connected to the natural world and to "listen to the wind and taste the air." In his book, he advises leaving all electronic devices behind, walking aimlessly, slowly, and letting your body act as your guide. "You are savoring the sounds, smells, and spectacle of nature, and allowing the forest to enter," he says.

Engage in outdoor activities

You could also get some exercise and enjoy its wellness benefits by choosing to run, cycle, walk, do a yoga or meditation session in a natural setting. You could also connect with nature by including activities like swimming. Camping is another fantastic way to discover what nature has to offer.

Simply sitting on a bench or relaxing on a patch of grass while enjoying some time for yourself in nature and the peace and quiet it provides can also work. Before starting your day, give yourself five minutes and enjoy this moment by sitting in the garden and listening to the morning birdsong.

Be creative

Writing can also boost your well-being. Recording what you discover during each moment spent in nature will also help strengthen your observational skills and enhance your connection with nature and the earth.

You could also develop your photography skills by taking beautiful, thought-provoking photos that you can share with others. You could start by simply going for a walk in a natural area, looking around, and randomly choosing something that catches your eye. Making a habit of doing this regularly will further strengthen your connection as you become more familiar with the sights, sounds, and smells of nature.

The choice of what you photograph each day is entirely up to you!

(1) King’s College London (2018). A study suggests that exposure to trees, the sky, and birdsong in cities is beneficial for mental well-being.

(2) Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University (2010). The physiological effects of shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan.