Let’s start with a question: What is life? Well, to find the answer to this question, we have to take a break from our daily routines from work, stress, buying things just to make us feel good, and stop that never-ending routine, just to carefully observe all the things around us. For example, watching animals.
Sometimes, you need to pause and find some joy and connect to nature. After all, we are creatures living on this planet, and somehow the planet speaks to us, but with the buzz of the modern world, we cannot hear a thing.
One of the best ways to connect with nature is by watching animals do their thing. Yes, it might sound ridiculous at the beginning, but watching birds flying in the sky, dolphins leaping through waves, or watching horses run with their manes flying brings a feeling of awe.
It gives you a certain feeling that is hard to explain. Even though watching an animal in their zone isn’t something spectacular, you feel calm and connected with the planet. It relaxes you and gives you purpose,.
Also, it is not only about the cute critters, but also about that feeling of connection to something bigger, that reminds you to slow down and savor the moment.
Let’s dive into the beauty of these natural things that happen all around us.
Horses Galloping
Horses are one of the most beautiful animals on the planet, and they have been our companions for thousands of years. Horses and humans have developed a relationship over time that is now well embedded in our genes. Even if you see wild horses in nature, you get a feeling of freedom, tranquility, and a spiritual bond that is hard to describe.
Horses’ physique adds to the element. As mentioned before, these are beautiful creatures, and watching a horse move is like watching a ballerina perform. They have synchronized gallops, and the sound of them is very soothing, especially when they run on dirt.
These animals can also bring an enthusiasm to our lives, so it is not only about stillness. After all, there is a reason why horse racing grew to become a multi-billion-dollar sport – people love the thrills!
Consider watching a high-end race like the Belmont Stakes that gives you excitement and that dopamine rush, which is unlike any other thing in the world. Observing the Belmont Stakes entries before the race, making a bet, and watching the race gives you that unmistakable feeling where you feel connected to nature and gives you the motivation to keep on pushing.
Birds Flying in the Sky
Horses aren’t the only magic creatures that give you that calmness, there are also birds. These creatures are like poets, painting the sky with loops that can make you lock out of the world and enter a completely new dimension.
Take birdwatching, where people get to a place where they observe birds as meditation. Birds like albatrosses can travel 900 km in a day without resting, which means that they are constantly flying around.
Unlike horses, they don’t give you that adrenaline boost. Instead, they give you a sense of freedom and serenity, and as you are watching, you may be thinking what it is like to fly.
Sea Creatures
There is something about watching fish swim that gives you that feeling of wonder, peace, and a connection to the deep waters.
Have you noticed how everybody grabs their camera or phone when someone yells “Dolphins” on a beach or on a cruise?
There is a good reason for that. Dolphins are unique animals. They hit 37 mph, and their playful leaps show joy in motion. Watching them makes you thankful for the planet’s vastness and your place in it.
All sea creatures are mesmerizing, but dolphins are the most beautiful to look at just because they don’t pose a danger to us, they are beautiful, and they jump out of the water, making spotting them much easier.
Since summer is coming up, maybe it is time to plan your vacation and visit some places where there is plenty of dolphin action.
Explore the world of marine life, and you’re in for a gratitude jackpot. Dolphins flipping through the water is a sight to behold.
Why This Sparks Gratitude
Watching animals in their element—horses, birds, marine life—is like a gratitude gym for your heart. Their raw, unscripted beauty pulls you out of your head and into the moment, reminding you life’s bigger than your Wi-Fi woes.
Horses teach resilience; birds show freedom; sea creatures embody flow. Together, they ground you in wonder, boosting mental health—mindfulness cuts anxiety by more than 30%. It is a solo recharge or a shared adventure with friends, flexible for your mood.
So, if you are too stressed from everyday activities, maybe it is time to go animal watching. You’ll be surprised at how well this activity impacts your mental clarity.
