Touching Grass: Why It’s Actually Good Advice

“Touch grass” is a saying that seems to have risen in popularity recently, and for good reason. While many people use this phrase as a criticism towards chronically online people, it can also serve as a helpful reminder to ourselves. Let’s break down the saying really quickly. “Touch” can mean to come in contact with or to connect with. “Grass,” in this saying, can refer to reality, life, and the world. So, touching grass can mean to come in contact with reality, or to connect with life and the world. As it becomes easier to be pulled away from the present moment, it becomes more vital to invest in it. As it becomes easier to stay inside, isolated and alone, it becomes more essential that we step outside and connect. While literally touching grass is a good way to do this, there are other ways we can ‘touch grass’ to reconnect with our reality and be present in the moment.

One of the most important parts of ‘touching grass’ is doing so with an intentional attitude and mindset. This is not an item on a to-do list; it is a purposeful moment of taking and making time to reconnect with the world and immersing yourself in the moment. Don’t try to rush through it; instead, try to make it last. So, much of our daily life is filled with mindlessness, moving through the day without thought, appreciation, or purpose. Instead of passively letting this mindlessness continue, let’s actively infuse our actions with mindfulness. Mindfulness requires that we actively observe our present moment and intentionally engage with it. Let’s start with touching grass.

First, let’s discuss the literal act of touching grass. This act requires that you go outside, reach for the ground, and make contact with the earth. Really feel the sensation of the blades of grass on your fingers, let your hand press against the firm ground, reminding us that we are one with the earth. It gives us life; in turn, we can give it our time. Take this time to look up at the sky, watch the clouds move slowly overhead, let the sun kiss your skin, and listen to the sounds around you. Take some deep breaths, filling your lungs with fresh air. This simple act can do a lot for our nervous system and mood. Going outside and touching grass in the middle of a stressful day can help to clear your mind, rehabilitate your focus, and give you a much-needed break to re-energize and tackle the rest of your day with ease.

Second, unplug from your phone as much as you can. Our phones tend to be the place where we take in all the bad news, the celebrity gossip, and all the beauty ads. One of the simplest ways to reconnect with our lives is to put our phones down more often. The best way to make changes in your phone use is to find small, doable steps to take to replace phone use with more fulfilling or valuable pastimes. For example, if you like to listen to a podcast while you go on a walk, maybe choose to call a loved one and reconnect with them. If you enjoy watching a show while in bed, maybe switch it out for an audiobook or a physical book. If you tend to scroll your phone while on your commute, either put it away completely or turn on some music and give your eyes a rest from scrolling. You may notice that some of these replacement activities still involve phone use. The point is not to throw your phone away completely, because I don’t think that is realistic or doable for most. Instead, find small ways to create more distance between you and the content you are consuming on your phone. Find ways to use it as a tool to connect with your life, rather than a tool to disconnect.

Third, connect with those in your life. Slow down your interactions with people and take the time to truly connect with them. Rather than rushing through a meal, sit at the table for an extra moment to continue the conversation, let the dishes wait, and be fully present with the person sitting across from you. Instead of turning on your side and scrolling in bed, turn to your partner and talk with them. Pick up a pen and paper and write a letter to a long-distance loved one. Take the time to call someone you haven’t heard from in a while. Social connection is truly vital to our health; its importance cannot be overlooked.

Find small doable actions to reconnect with reality, to come in contact with the world, and mindfully move through your daily life. To recap, some simple steps you can take today are going outside, putting your phone down, and having a conversation with someone in your life. It doesn’t take big lifestyle changes, just small adjustments to reconnect in ways that are beneficial to you.