If you ask someone to name their least preferred month, it’s likely March will be among the top responses. With unpredictable weather, it can feel more dismal than delightful, as we find ourselves yearning to open our doors yet still shut inside. While winter seems like an inevitable cycle, March represents the concluding chapter of that phase.
So, how do we embrace this month? Establishing a regular connection with nature can be a significant step forward.
Sam Kriviak, a registered psychologist, suggests that we can draw inspiration from nature when adapting to our changing moods, energy levels, and productivity throughout the seasons. “In northern climates, all living beings experience fluctuations with the seasons. By connecting more with nature, we can understand that our March experiences will likely differ from our July or October ones … and that’s perfectly fine!”
Be observant
Reflecting on our relationship with Earth’s cycles can shift our perspective on this season. Traditional activities within your community, like tapping sugar maples or observing migratory birds, can provide insights into the seasonal transformations occurring around us.
Consider if your own family traditions offer a way to acknowledge this transitional period. Also, don’t miss the chance to honor the spring equinox, whether through quiet reflection or a community gathering like a potluck, fire pit, or walk with friends.
Seek comfort
You can still experience nature directly, even from the comfort of your home. Position yourself in a sunny spot while you eat, nap, or work, and enjoy the warmth.
An indoor vermicomposting setup can be a fun educational project for children, letting them interact with nature’s cycles and living organisms while producing valuable worm castings for plants. Additionally, visiting indoor botanical gardens, zoos, or natural history museums allows for encounters with a variety of plants and animals without confronting the outdoor chill.
Get outside
Nothing revitalizes us like stepping outdoors and experiencing the healing powers of nature through our senses. Kriviak encourages us to let nature inform our choices of enjoyable activities.
“For me, running in harsh, cold air really affects my lungs, but bundling up and putting on ice cleats for a walk in the forest is much more pleasant,” Kriviak notes. “Engaging in activities unique to certain seasons, like walking on a frozen creek, enhances my appreciation for those seasons.” Any activity that gets your heart racing is bound to leave you feeling warm and invigorated.
Alternatively, take a leisurely stroll at your children’s pace, using a smartphone app to identify birds by their calls or guessing the types of trees and plants based on their bark or dried seeds. Encourage your kids to take photos of things that catch their eye; they often have unique and refreshing viewpoints.
Gather natural items like leaves, cones, and feathers to create a centerpiece or mandala when you return home. And, if you’re near outdoor hot springs, soaking in those is perfectly acceptable!
Stimulate your mind
Even when weather confines us indoors, we can still tap into nature through our imagination. Kids might enjoy illustrating scenes of underground life this time of year, such as the activities of roots, worms, and microbial life as they awaken.
Nature-themed books and board games can engage and educate individuals of all ages. Furthermore, online guided meditations focused on nature make an excellent tonic for March, allowing both children and adults to reconnect with the outdoors in their minds while soothing our winter-weary souls.
Prepare for the future
Lastly, Kriviak proposes that we think ahead in order to ease next year’s transition, drawing inspiration from hibernating animals: “Can you take time off work? Would meal prepping in the fall help reserve some energy for winter?” Let’s utilize every tool at our disposal to make these 31 transitional days meaningful in their own way. And now, how might we address November?
March is the perfect month to start many plants indoors for an early edge in the growing season. This act of planting seeds is innately optimistic, with fresh seedlings providing much-needed greenery— a color known to spark creativity.
All you need is a south-facing window (or grow lights, if that’s not available), seeds, and a seed-starting mix. Be environmentally conscious by using recycled materials for planters—anything from newspaper and toilet paper rolls to produce containers and yogurt cups can work. To promote healthy germination, cover the soil with a clear lid or improvise to keep it warm and humid. Soon, you’ll witness the beginnings of summer tomatoes, herbs, and blooms!
In a significant study conducted in the UK, participants engaged in nature-related activities daily for a month. The outcomes included heightened feelings of connection to nature, improvements in health, happiness, and conservation behaviors that persisted well beyond the 30-day commitment.
This article was originally featured in the March 2024 issue of Thewindowsclubs magazine.
