MODERN LIFE— with its ubiquitous technology, demand for constant connection, exceedingly hectic schedules, ever-increasing workplace demands, and numerous additional challenges— imposes a high level of stress on individuals that is driving up the rates of emotional and mental-health issues such as anxiety, depression, and job burnout.
The good news is, today’s world also provides an antidote to many of these stressors, and it doesn’t come in the form of a pill. Rather, better wellbeing can be achieved by simply spending some quality time in or around natural environments—parks, forests, mountains, beaches, etc. In fact, research shows that stepping away from modern life and reconnecting with the natural world can profoundly impact one’s mental and emotional health for the better. Here are some of the ways:
Soothing stress and anxiety
Among the many benefits of exposure to nature is its ability to soothe the mind and shift it out of “overdrive,” thereby reducing levels of stress and anxiety. According to a study in Scientific Reports, a peer-reviewed, open-access scientific journal published by Nature Portfolio, spending at least 120 minutes per week in nature, whether in a single visit or several shorter visits, is associated with good health and wellbeing. It’s posited that this benefit stems from the reduction in the level of cortisol (a hormone associated with stress) that occurs when the sights, sounds, and fragrances of nature—rustling leaves, crashing waves, the scent of blooms, etc.—stimulate the human senses.
Exposure to nature also helps quiet the constant mental noise that smartphones and other ubiquitous forms of technology evoke. In contrast to these distractions, the natural world makes no urgent demands on our attention, instead encouraging what environmental psychologists Rachel Kaplan and Stephen Kaplan refer to as “soft fascination,” a state of effortless attention produced by natural stimuli that gives the mind a break from directed focus and helps reduce mental fatigue.
Improving mood and emotional wellbeing In addition to soothing stress, exposure to green (or blue) spaces has a profound ability to boost mood and emotional wellbeing. A 2020 meta-analysis published in The Lancet Planetary Health showed that regularly spending time in natural environments yields higher levels of happiness and lower incidences of mood disorders.
What’s more, whereas today’s high-tech, fast-paced world floods the mind with racing thoughts and distractions to fret over and ruminate upon, activities in nature—such as hiking, birdwatching, or simply relaxing on a beach or riverbank— have a tendency to engage the mind in that singular purpose and ground it in the present, which can help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.
Promoting social connection Not only can nature provide sublime solitary experiences, but it can also help promote healthy social bonds, foster camaraderie, and limit feelings of loneliness through participation in group activities, such as community gardening or nature hikes. In an age where social isolation seems to be the norm, such shared experiences in natural settings can help create a vital sense of belonging and real-world interpersonal connection.
Stimulating creativity
As generations of artists, authors, musicians, and other creative individuals have attested, there’s something about the open, unstructured environment of the natural world that sparks inspiration and stimulates innovative thinking. Science has even shown that setting aside cell phones and other high-tech distractions while engaging with nature allows creativity to flourish. A 2012 study in PLOS One who spent four days in nature without electronic devices showed a 50% improvement in creative problem-solving tasks.
It’s important to understand that connecting with nature doesn’t have to involve a major wilderness challenge, such as through-hiking the Appalachian Trail. As with exercise or any other healthy lifestyle habit, small, simple actions add up to major gains when it comes to incorporating the natural world into your daily life. Taking a stroll through a local metropark, weeding and pruning your landscape or vegetable garden, creating a lush balcony or patio garden, or even bringing a few houseplants into your home, office, or other indoor spaces can yield significant benefits. You’ll soon find that making regular, intentional connections with nature makes all the difference in your mental and emotional wellbeing. ✲
