Nature for Mental Health

Nature for Mental Health: Exploring The Bond Between Nature and Well-Being

Do you love long walks on the beach? How about a hike in the woods? Or maybe you’d prefer visiting a flowering garden. Whatever is your nature of choice, being outside reduces stress. Let’s explore how nature can impact mental health, from your mind to your mood.

What is nature for Mental Health?

Exactly what it sounds like, nature for mental health just means spending time in nature to improve mental health. Conditions like anxiety and depression are affecting us more than ever, and studies have shown that being outside reduces stress. Being outdoors is, after all, the perfect antidote to the artificial indoor environments that usually cause our stress in the first place. The bond between nature and mental well-being is not just a fleeting encounter, but a lifelong relationship that can evolve and deepen over time—offering solace in moments of challenge and tranquility alike.

Does Nature Improve Mental Health? 

Let’s talk about the pandemic for a minute, a time when many people felt more stressed than ever. Amidst the turbulence of COVID times, nature emerged as a steadfast source of comfort for many. It became a refuge where worries momentarily faded as we took our lunchtime walks. The world around us felt uncertain, but nature didn’t—the trees still stood tall, flowers still swayed in the breeze. For some it may have been an Aha! Moment, as in, “Wow, I should have been making going outdoors a priority this whole time.” I remember this moment of happiness and even relief when I looked across the ocean toward this mountain view that’s usually blocked by pollution. For a second I held the tiniest hope that industries wouldn’t go back to exactly how they were, that maybe the pandemic would be good somehow, at least for the planet. And it made me appreciate my time at the sea that much more.  

While things have gone pretty much back to normal, for some of us things will never be exactly the same. There is a new level of paranoia around illness, and with it comes a low level panic that we live with every day. For me, it’s no coincidence that there is extra relief when fun activities are planned as “outdoor only.” I don’t have to worry about getting sick as much, and on top of that, well, I get to be outside. And since being outside reduces stress and nature calms anxiety, I have way less worry and way more presence to take in the beauty around me, even if it’s just the sky and trees at the playground. 

Real Connections with Nature: This is Where We Came From

So, maybe your love of nature made its appearance during the pandemic, or maybe you’ve carried it with you since childhood. Whatever the timing, the connection between humans and nature just makes sense. There is nothing quite like the bond I feel with the universe when I’m looking down from the top of a mountain I just climbed. I could spend hours sitting on the sand staring into the horizon, and I do—just ask my friends and family who have to drag me kicking and screaming when it’s time to leave the beach. But why would I want to leave? When I’m in nature, I feel like I’m already home. I truly think we all would feel that way if we could just get in touch with it, and I don’t think it’s a matter of opinion. Humans were not designed to live in cities, to never leave their houses except for outings into more indoor spaces—stores, offices, other houses. My go-to mental image is my human ancestors hanging out under trees, around a fire, dancing and laughing before retiring into their caves. That is where we came from, and though our modern world doesn’t look like that whatsoever, that is still what our bodies know and respond to, including our mental health. 

Something that a lot of people are missing these days is a sense of belonging. We live largely in isolation: instead of the huge extended families we used to be constantly surrounded by, helping with everything from raising children to sharing household tasks (because usually we all lived together), humans are now expected to do so much work and deal with so much stress and then find all their solace and support from one other person—their significant other who is also extremely stressed, tired, and overworked. Though we can’t change our lives, at least not right away, we can go outside for our mental health, even if it’s just taking a few deep breaths on the back porch. The reason humans feel a sense of belonging in nature is simple: it’s because we belong there! 

Nature for Everyone: Breaking Down Barriers for Access and Navigating Urban Obstacles to Get to Nature

Nature’s benefits should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their location. I really believe it’s a basic human right to at least have a nice park in your neighborhood. If you don’t have a car, is there public transportation that could bring you to a beach or a forest? Breaking down access barriers is essential, especially for those navigating the hustle and bustle of urban living. Since being outside reduces stress, the people who spend the most time indoors and lack access to quality natural spaces might be the people who need nature for mental health the most. What is available in your area? Parks, rooftop gardens, and community green spaces are popping up everywhere, and they can offer the same kind of mental health benefits as a day in the woods.

There might be little things you can do at home, as well. Plant a small garden or even some window plant and find the wonder of your inner child as you watch it grow. Watch the clouds as they roll around the globe. Watch the sunset or even sunrise if you can. Close your eyes and let the sun fall on your face (first thing in the morning is especially beneficial for this, to attune your body to your circadian clock). Genuine connections with nature go beyond appreciation; they involve forging a deep and transformative bond with the great outdoors. It’s about falling in love with the rustling leaves, the chirping birds, and the dance of sunlight filtering through the trees. Power lies in that genuine connection, where the outdoors becomes a sanctuary, a place of solace and renewal that enhances our mental strength and overall well-being.

Conclusion: 

So, does nature improve mental health? I think the answer is clear. Shared or alone, in the country or in the city, humans everywhere can use nature for mental health. Whether relishing a moment in the sun or sharing the wonders of nature with others on a group hike (guys, hiking is just another word for walking), our experiences in the natural world are beneficial. It’s been proven again and again—being outside reduces stress. Engaging in mindful outdoor moments, even if brief, provides a chance to reset and recharge, fostering a positive mindset. It’s about weaving nature into our daily routines, remembering its role as a reliable ally in our journey toward enhanced mental health. 

What are your favorite things to do outside? Please let me know in the comments!