Maggie Evans 
People are more stressed than ever. Jobs demand a lot more from you nowadays, and your work can follow your home thanks to emails and work-based chats. Social media is another time-hog that keeps you on your feet as you try to stay up to date with the latest trends.
With all these things to do, people are often left stressed, with no way of relaxing.
Benefits of Nature Photography
Many people have taken up nature photography to get away from their hectic lives and to relax a little. Here are some of the reasons why:
It Quiets the Mind
Nature photography needs a lot of patience. You can’t control the world around you and create the perfect shot. Instead, you have to be patient and wait. This gives your mind the chance to quiet down and relax, and you’ll find yourself more at peace.
It Helps You Appreciate the Little Things
With nothing to do but take photos, you’ll naturally look for beauty in the world around you. You’ll see things you’ve often overlooked and come to appreciate them in a new light, which is a relaxing experience.
Exercise and Fresh Air
Nature photography involves a lot of exercises thanks to all the walking and hiking you’ll do. And exercise is known to lead to a healthier mind and stress relief.
While out on the trail, you’ll also have a change of scenery and get to breathe in some fresh air. This can rejuvenate you after a week stuck in the office.
It’s Productive
By taking up photography, you’re learning to create things. This means your relaxation time is productive, so you won’t feel the guilt often associated with taking some time off to yourself.
Dangers of Nature Photography
Unfortunately, nature photography isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. The activity poses its own set of risks.
One of the biggest risks is wild animals like bears, wolves, foxes and coyotes. These animals are vicious, and they can scratch or bite you if you aren’t careful. They also carry a number of diseases — including rabies. That’s why it’s important to take some safety precautions before you step out into the wild, lest you be attacked by wild coyotes.
Safety Tips
There are a few great ways of avoiding these dangerous animals:
- Keep Your Distance: If you stand far away from wild animals, then they can’t bite, scratch, or spread diseases to you.
- Carry Spray: There are a lot of useful sprays on the market that can irritate an animal and force them to back away.
- Do Not Run: If an animal — especially foxes, coyotes, and wolves — are near you, you should stand your ground. Running away makes you look weak and invites the animal to attack. Staying still and acting confident will scare the animals so they leave you alone.
- Do Not Feed the Animal: Feeding the animal makes them more comfortable around people, so they’re more likely to attack you in the future.
