The Nine Benefits of Nature
Immerse yourself in nature for mental health benefits
Research supports the idea that being in nature offers a range of mental health benefits. Here are some key benefits:
1. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Time spent in nature has shown to lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone), helping people feel more relaxed and calmer. A study in 2019 published in Frontiers in Psychology found that spending 20 to 30 minutes, three times a week in nature significantly reduced cortisol levels compared to those who didn’t. Try taking a short walk in the park, spending time near trees, flowers, and pretty landscapes to reduce feelings of anxiety.
2. Boosts Mood and Happiness
Exposure to nature, even for short periods of time, is linked to an increase in positive feelings and emotions. It helps to combat feelings of depression and can boost our overall mood. A 2015 study published in Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences found that walking in nature reduced rumination, a key component of depression and anxiety. People often report feelings happier and more energized after a hike, walk in a park, stroll on the beach, or even after gardening.
3. Improves Focus and Cognitive Function
A 2008 study from the Journal of Environmental Psychology showed spending time outdoors can enhance cognitive functioning, helping people to concentrate better and even improve memory. Walks in nature have been found to improve attention in both children and adults with ADHD, allowing them to focus better on tasks afterward.
4. Enhances Creativity
Exposure to natural environments stimulates creativity and problem-solving abilities, as it allows the mind to wander and access new perspectives. Artist and writers often retreat to nature to spark innovative ideas and gain fresh inspiration for their work.
5. Encourages Mindfulness and Presence
Being in nature helps people become more present, as you lean into the sensory experience of being outdoors (sounds, sights, smells, visuals) pull attention away from worries and into the present moment. Be intentional about listening to the chirping of the birds, rustling of the leaves in the wind, or the sound of the flow of nearby water to shift your focus away from what worries or stresses you and make you more aware of being present in your surroundings.
6. Promotes Better Sleep
Spending time outdoors, especially in natural light, helps regulate circadian rhythms, leading to better sleep patterns. After a day spent outside in the sun, people report falling asleep faster and experiencing more restful sleep.
7. Increases Physical Activity
Being in an outdoor environment encourages and prompts us to engage in physical activity. Movement can improve mental health. Benefits of moving our bodies have been linked to the release of endorphins that help relieve stress, increase in serotonin levels to stabilize mood, regulation of emotions, and lowering of inflammation and promotion of brain health.
8. Fosters a Sense of Connection
Being in nature can help people feel more connected to individuals and the world around them. It allows an opportunity to connect with the realization of being a part of something bigger. We start sensing an interconnectedness we have in this world that is amazingly beautiful and powerful. This We tend to shift our mindset and perspective of “me” to a sense of “we” and a greater sense of purpose with ourselves, others, the planet, and a higher being.
9. Supports Emotional Regulation
Spending time in the calming environment of the outdoors can help individuals regulate their emotions, especially when dealing with intense feelings of anger, sadness, or loneliness. It’s not unusual to hear someone respond to being upset by saying, “I just need to go for a walk so I can calm myself down a bit.” Walking requires increased breath, promoting oxygen intake and sending a message to our brain and bodies of calmness. When we walk, our eyes will naturally move from left to right, stimulating the body to relax and deactivate our fight and flight response of the amygdala.
Do you want to learn other ways to reduce stress and anxiety in your own life? Consider investing your time in a therapeutic relationship with one of our highly trained and experienced Lake Norman Family Therapy clinicians. Reach our using our Contact Us form today or by calling 704-892-9490. Lake Norman Family Therapy would be honored to serve you.