It’s good to spend time in nature

Photo by Jamie Brown on Unsplash

So many benefits!

There are many benefits to spending time in nature. They are so numerous, that in some countries, doctors actually prescribe spending time in nature to improve health. If you have access to nature, it’s not only good for your physical health, it is a highly protective way of looking after your mental health too.

Physiological Benefits

Some of the physiological benefits include lowering blood pressure and cortisol levels, which are increased when we are stressed. It has been proven that it improves circulatory conditions, cardiovascular and respiratory function which results in an overall decrease in illness. It can also help to improve your metabolic profile and help you to sleep better. It has even been suggested that spending time in nature can help you to lose weight and increase energy levels.

Social benefits

Spending time in nature encourages interaction and engagement with other people and gives you a sense of empowerment, so it is perfect for fostering social connectivity.

If you are in recovery from addiction, spending time in nature can support you to feel connected, which is vital for repairing a sense of belonging which is missing when unhealthy substance use or behavioural patterns have taken over your life.

Psychological benefits

Interacting with nature has been shown to improve general psychological wellbeing, and reduce depression and anxiety. It can boost your mood, and result in behavioural improvement which naturally lowers anxiety. It can also soothe anger and frustration that we all experience from time-to-time.

Spending time in nature is a terrific support for people with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) , and has a calming effect and enables the experience of a broader focus.

Again, nature helps us to reduce stress and increase our sense of social connectedness, which helps us to maintain good mental health and overall, better life satisfaction. Nature is also a source of awe and inspiration and enhances spiritual health.

Cognitive benefits

Nature has even been shown to result in higher academic achievement, with less mental drain and increased productivity for the things we need to do.

Experiencing nature

There are many and varied ways of interacting with nature, even if we don’t have direct access to a beach, the bush or a park. Indirectly we can enjoy nature without actually being there, for example we can take in nature from the window, or we can enjoy nature on screens or in images. Putting on a wildlife documentary or reading a National Geographic can have an indirectly positive effect on our wellbeing.

Even incidental interactions with nature can help. For example, tending to indoor pot plants, or viewing nature from the window on our commute to work.

Best of all, if you have the time and ability, being purposeful about undertaking activities in nature will boost your health significantly. So getting out in the garden, wildlife watching, hiking, camping, and fishing are all activities that you can claim as your mental health protectors!

Nature health-check

When reflecting on looking after your health, ask yourself…

How much time do you spend in nature?

Where are some natural spaces that are safe and enjoyable that you can get to easily?

Can you get outside to help you relax or reduce stress?

How can you spend a few minutes each day in nature?

References:

Rariden, C., &Kuhn, A. (2024). An Introduction to Nature Prescribing: Health Benefits of Nature. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners 20 (2024) 105161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2024.105161