Do your spirits soar   on a sunny day? Do you relax at the sound of flowing water? Some scientists suggest that these contacts with nature are good for your health. In one study, hospital patients with a view of trees had shorter hospital stays and less need for pain medications. Another study indicated that prisoners with a view of the outdoors had fewer doctor visits. "Why do we desire nature? Maybe we're programmed to need it, since our ancestors' survival was so dependent on their connection with nature," suggests biologist E.O. Wilson. Want to find out if contact with nature improves your outlook on life? Try a few of these ideas. Hang out a bird feeder and watch the birds that visit it. Sit down in the backyard or a nearby park. Close your eyes. What do you hear? Birds singing? The wind in the trees? Crickets   chirping? Find an anthill. Sit down and watch the ants work. Take a walk right after a rainstorm. What looks different? Smells different? Go barefoot on a sandy beach. Open the curtains and the window, if the weather allows it. On a windy day, watch the trees. Go to a creek, river or park fountain. Listen to the sound of water in motion. Camp out in the backyard or at a nearby state park. Use a tent or sleep on the ground. Find a wide-open space to study the stars. Learn about the different constellations  . Raise a garden. Or plant some seeds in a flowerpot. Go hiking with your family. Talk about all of the colors you see in nature. Take a camera and capture your nature experience. The author gives us many ideas in order to let us   _  .
find out if contacts with nature improve our outlook on life hear birds sing and watch ants work talk about the colors we see in nature capture our experience in nature