Spending time outdoors just feels right, doesn’t it?
Whether it’s sitting on the porch at the end of a long day, strolling through the woods, or taking off for a vacation to some scenic locale, we know deep down inside us that the natural world can be very healing.
If you’ve ever wondered how nature is able to have such an impact on our mental, emotional, and physical well-being, this post is going to dive deep into some of the science behind the connection between humans and the natural world.
Time spent in nature is good for people of all ages (Our Land Organics design & installation)
The Science: Benefits of Being in Nature
Interestingly enough, science doesn’t yet know why our brains are wired to respond so positively to the natural world. But there are a lot of theories.
One hypothesis is that “since our ancestors evolved in wild settings and relied on the environment for survival, we have an innate drive to connect with nature.”
No matter the reason behind it, the effect of nature on our brains has been clearly documented.
Many studies suggest that time outside positively impacts nearly every facet of a person’s life. A report from the USDA summarizes nature’s impact on our health: “People living near parks and green space have less mental distress, are more physically active, and have extended life spans.”
Spending time outside is a sure-fire way to reduce stress (Our Land Organics design & installation)
Less Stress
Multiple studies have found even brief time in nature can lower stress levels.
Spending time in a natural setting immerses multiple senses, which can be very healing for the brain. Even views of nature from a window can have positive results, according to data reported by the US Department of Agriculture.
What’s more, a regular habit of spending time in natural settings “may prevent cumulative effects from stress, which could mean a lower risk for chronic disease, illness and mortality,” according to research reported by the Mayo Clinic.
It seems like a simple thing, but stepping outside for a quick break can have a huge impact on your mental and physical health.
Spending time in nature fosters presence with yourself and loved ones (Our Land Organics design & installation)
Better Cognition & Attention
Access to the natural world also seems to increase the brain’s capacity for learning and performing.
One study conducted by the University of Chicago found that “green spaces near schools promote cognitive development in children and green views near children’s homes promote self-control behaviors.” This study seems to suggest that people are more able to learn and retain new information when they have access to the natural world.
Additionally, natural settings appear to be singularly effective at restoring attention and helping people recover from mental fatigue.
One study published in the National Library of Medicine found that people performed significantly better on mentally challenging tasks after walking 5 minutes in a park, compared to others who spent 5 minutes walking in an urban environment.
A similar study found that “students who looked out at a flowering green roof for 40 seconds midway through the task made significantly fewer mistakes than students who paused for 40 seconds to gaze at a concrete rooftop.”
So, if you want a cheat code for learning new information faster and recovering more quickly from mental fatigue, try spending more time in the natural world.
Spending time in nature enhances physical and mental health
Better Exercise & Better Sleep
The benefits of exercise on the human body and brain are also well documented, but did you know that the natural world can help you maximize the benefits of exercise?
According to the USDA, “when people exercise outdoors in natural environments, they do so for longer periods of time.”
Outdoor exercise also results in better sleep and recovery, due to the body’s natural circadian rhythms and its interaction with sunlight.
All types of creatures benefit from time spent in nature (Our Land Organics design & installation)
The Takeaway
Our brains co-evolved with the natural world, and for many of us our built environment does not meet our emotional and mental needs.
Spending time outdoors in natural spaces is like a holistic medicine that improves physical health, mental health, performance at work, and social well-being.
All of this provides more reasons to protect biodiverse spaces and design our built environments with nature in mind. Doing so obviously benefits wildlife and ecology, and it benefits us humans as well.
We will never reach the fullness of our potential without plants, biodiverse spaces, and the wildlife that inhabit those spaces.
Resources:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22270487
hsph.harvard.edu/news/time-spent-in-nature-can-boost-physical-and-mental-well-being
health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/3-ways-getting-outside-into-nature-helps-improve-your-health/2023/05
mcpress.mayoclinic.org/mental-health/the-mental-health-benefits-of-nature-spending-time-outdoors-to-refresh-your-mind
apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature
arboretum.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk1546/files/inline-files/urbannatureforhumanhealthandwellbeing_508_01_30_18.pdf