As time goes on, the human race is becoming more and more urbanized. More of us are living in towns and big cities than ever before and our lives are permanently connected. Smartphones and the internet mean that there is very little chance to escape the hustle and bustle of modern day life.

All of that also means that we are losing the strong connection we once had with nature. How many of us have gazed up at the stars, watched the sunset or sunrise over a forest or taken a stroll through the woods in the last year – all activities that our ancestors from millenniums ago participated in with relish?

Missing that connection? Here are five activities to help you reconnect with the great outdoors.

Go bird watching

Birds are fascinating creatures, but how many of us have seen anything other than a pigeon or a seagull in the cities in which we live? There are 993 species of bird in North American according to the American Birding Association – getting out in the great outdoors is a great way to appreciate them. With a set of binoculars, you’ll be scanning the horizon from skyline to ground, making you aware of your surroundings and appreciating the beautiful American countryside.

Go foraging for mementos

It doesn’t cost any money to be out in the great outdoors and it doesn’t cost any money to pick up mementos. Acorns, pinecones, bird feathers and snake skins are all great things to collect. From the beach, you can find funny shaped rocks and interesting shells to go in your garden. You can even turn your finds into works of art to decorate your home with – colorful autumn leaves sealed in sheets of wax to display on wall or in a book or seashells glued to a wooden frame can give you a unique piece of art.

Catch your own dinner

Nothing connects us with our ancestors from millenniums ago than by following in the footsteps that allowed them to survive – namely, catching you own dinner. Being in the great outdoors allows us to do that, whether it be through fishing, snaring a rabbit or hunting. If you’re planning on hunting, take a look at these Best Rifle Scope Reviews before you go for the tools to help you succeed on the hunt.

Pick fruit

It isn’t just meat and fish that you can catch for your dinner. There is an abundance of fruit in the great outdoors, all of which is ready and waiting to be picked. Blueberries, raspberries and apples can either be eaten there and then or taken home and made into a delicious jam or pie.

Look at the sky

The sky provides us with some of natures most beautiful sights, but hardly any of us get to see it in all its glory. Light pollution means that 80 percent of Americans can no longer see the Milky Way while plenty of people claim to be too busy to stand still and take a few minutes to watch a sunrise or sunset. By being in the great outdoors, miles away from urban living we can appreciate just what happens in our skies.