“Catch me outside, how ‘bout that?”: Nature’s Nurturance

Written by Mariné Bierman, Clinical Psychologist

Science and experience alike confirm what many of us know intuitively – nature does wonders for the mind and heart.

Here’s how.

1.      Nature soothes stress

One of the most well-known benefits of spending time in nature is stress reduction. The body’s response to stress – more commonly known as the fight or flight response – is meant to help us survive in real emergencies. Sure, stress is an inevitable part of life, but chronic activation of the stress-response due to daily pressures can be harmful in the long run.

Studies show that even brief interactions with nature can reduce cortisol levels (the body’s primary stress hormone), slow down heart rate, lower blood pressure, and reduce muscle tension. In this way, nature promotes a sense of calmness by triggering the body’s relaxation response – a natural antidote to stress.

2.      Nature’s mood-magic

Nature has a powerful effect on our mood. In addition to reducing stress, spending time in nature has been linked to decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as reduced feelings of loneliness and isolation. Time spent in nature has also been shown to increase levels of endorphins and dopamine, thus promoting feelings of happiness. Other positive emotions and states induced and amplified by nature include joyfulness, connectedness, resilience, a sense of fulfillment, gratitude, feeling energized, having a sense of meaning in life, and many more!

"Go outside... amidst the simple beauty of nature... and know that as long as places like this exist, there will be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be." - Anne Frank

 

3.      Nature’s mind-magic

Nature can also boost our brains by giving it a rest and a reset. After spending time in nature, we often find that we are better able to focus on tasks, problem solve, avoid distractions, remember things, think more clearly and creatively, and feel less mentally fatigued. Natural environments engage our minds in much gentler and non-demanding ways, offering recovery from the mental exhaustion that seems to go hand in hand with the modern-day human experience.

In our fast-paced, screen-dominated world, many of us find ourselves constantly plugged in, either by juggling emails, meeting deadlines, responding to that message your friend sent a week ago, or simply trying to keep up with social media (yes, that includes “doom scrolling”).

Amid the all-consuming digital overload, a powerful remedy lies just beyond our doors: nature. How can we incorporate nature into our already-overloaded lives?

• Even small doses matter: You don’t need to spend hours in nature to reap the benefits, research shows that as little as 10-20 minutes per day does the trick!

• Virtual exposure to nature can be beneficial: Stuck in the office or in need of a dose of nature before bed? No problem. Just put on your favorite nature sounds or videos, as this has also been shown to be very beneficial.

• Bring the outdoors indoors: House plants count as nature, right? Or an indoor water fountain, whatever works for you, I guess!

• Boost the benefits by incorporating nature into other mental health practices: Take your exercise or run outdoors, spend time in nature with a friend, take your dog to the park, meditate on your balcony, or journal in the garden. The possibilities are endless! After all, who doesn’t want a double dose of al natural mental health?

In a world that is constantly asking more of us, nature gently reminds us to slow down, breathe deeply, notice, and just be – no wonder we call her “mother nature”. Sometimes, it’s a simple as returning to our roots, even if just for a moment.

If you want to read more about Mariné and the services she offers, click here.