In her column, Jacinta trials new self-care rituals and other forms of bettering yourself, and reports back to us with her experiences. Her goal is to make free forms of self-care that have lasting positive effects more well known and approachable to students and readers alike.
‘Touch grass’ is a new saying that has been popularised by Gen Z and is used when someone is doing something stupid or weird. It’s essentially a plea for these weirdos to breathe in some fresh air and to touch some grass, in order to regain their grip on reality. And, if there is one thing that busy, tired, and overworked university students need, it’s some grounding.
But ‘touching grass’ can be a little difficult when you live in a city, spend most of your time on campus, and are working two jobs to combat living in this economy. A lot of us don’t even have backyards, making reconnecting to nature all the more difficult.
So, what does touching grass actually look like? And how can Brisbane students do it? If you’re imaging meditating in your local park, hugging trees, and walking around barefoot… then you’d be exactly right. Maybe those things sound a little weird, but I promise, it can do great things for your brain. Regular access to green spaces can lessen the likelihood of depression, stress, and anxiety. But it can also improve concentration and attention, and just generally make you a happier person. So, if you’ve noticed that your attention span has become completely fried by TikTok, maybe what you really need is to go for a walk outside.
Reconnecting to nature can be doing something as simple as taking your lunch break outside. There is nothing more depressing than being stuck inside on a nice day. More than once, I’ve interrupted a study-induced stress spiral by grabbing myself some lunch and forcing my friends to sit on the little grassy hill outside C Block with me. Nothing will make your problems feel smaller than eating good food in appreciative silence with a friend, while the sun, grass, and fresh air rewire your caffeine-fueled, sleep-deprived bodies. Here’s a tip; NEVER eat lunch in a food court if you can help it. Food courts are awful, soul sucking places and contribute nothing to your well-being.
If you’re needing a little more than a lunch break to get back in touch with nature, try exploring an area or neighborhood that you’re unfamiliar with. Just get in your car (or on a bike, or walk if you have to), and just start exploring. Ditch the GPS and just head in whichever direction looks the most appealing and just keep going until you get bored. We’re so used to being busy, and always having somewhere to go, that we don’t often get to enjoy the bliss of doing nothing in particular. Wandering around with no destination is one of the most refreshing and exciting things you can do for your mind, especially in times of anxiety and burn out. Maybe take advantage of the new 50c fares to explore new suburbs you don’t frequent much.
Lastly, I know you would probably rather do anything else than meditate, but it really is as good for you as everyone says it is. A lot of people are turned off from the concept of meditation because of how difficult it seems. Meditation is simply the act of detaching from your thoughts, without judging the process or yourself during the act, or in simpler terms, doing nothing. Sit outside on the ground (grounding!), close your eyes, and slowly allow all thoughts to leave your mind. When your mind drifts back to assessments and laundry, simply observe these thoughts and then let them leave. If thoughts are extra persistent, try to focus on your breathing or repeat a mantra (I am perfect, I am talented, I am God’s specialest little boy, etc) in order to keep your mind off those pesky thoughts. There is no ‘wrong’ way to meditate; it is a skill you build, and it will get easier over time. I promise you will feel a lot calmer because of it.
Glass’ Favourite Green Spaces in Brisbane
As someone who doesn’t even have a backyard, I know it can be hard to find a spot in the outside world to make your own. Most Brisbane suburbs have a great selection of parks and gardens, but if you’re still stuck, here’s a list of Glass’ favourite Brisbane spots to get your daily dose of nature.
MT COOTHA: An oldie but a goodie, this national park has everything from hikes and gardens to waterfalls and lookouts and is right in Brisbane’s back pocket. With more than 1600 hectares of eucalyptus forests, rainforest gullies, and creeks, it’s pretty easy to spend the whole day exploring – thankfully, with minimal chance of getting lost, as the Brisbane city skyline is almost always visible. Whether alone or with friends, Mt Cootha is always one of my favourite places to escape in Brisbane, and no matter how often you go, there is always something new to see.
CITY BOTANIC GARDENS: We’re lucky enough to have one of our campuses located right next to the City Botanic Gardens, making it easier for students to get away from their studies and commitments, and take a well-deserved stroll (or nap) through the grass. Next time you’re on Gardens Point campus, take a detour through the gardens, and let all your problems wilt away.
ROMA ST GARDENS: Roma Street has crammed as much as it can into its 16 hectares, with flower gardens, rainforest walks, playgrounds, city views, picnic and barbecue spots, a huge water fountain and a cafe. There’s also a bus and train station located on site, making it an easy escape for students.
Recommended Listening for Touching Grass
If you’re still looking for some outdoorsy inspiration, here are some music recommendations to get you in the mood to touch grass.
HOZIER ALBUM BY HOZIER (2014): Just try and not feel more connected to nature after listening to this album. Songs like ‘In A Week’, ‘Like Real People Do’, and ‘In The Woods Somewhere’ will leave you with the sudden desire to lie down in the woods (or in a bog) and return to nature in the old-fashioned way… by decomposing.
‘LES FLEURS’ BY MINNIE RIPERTON (1969): An ode to daydreaming and pretending to a flower, this 1969 track is the perfect song to play as you take your daily stroll around the neighbourhood.
FATHER OF THE BRIDE ALBUM BY VAMPIRE WEEKEND (2019): If what you have planned is day trip to the coast in an attempt to get back to nature, look no further than trailblazers’ of indie music, Vampire Weekend. Tracks like ‘This Life’, ‘Rich Man’, and ‘Stranger’ were made to be played in the car, with the windows down, after a long day of being warmed by the sun and your skin still salty from a swim.
