Nature’s Remedy: Get Outside!

In a world where many people spend as much time interacting with a digital screen as they do talking to a human being, feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, and an inability to turn the brain off is all too familiar. But a simple and free remedy is just outside that door—nature. Opening the door and immersing oneself in the sensory wonder of the natural world can profoundly impact our mental health. 

Since time immemorial, humans have intuitively sought solace and succor in nature. From the Romantics finding inspiration and perspective in their smallness as human beings amid a sublime wild landscape to the back-to-the-land movements of the 20th century, the deep-seated connection between humanity and the environment has always driven people outdoors. In recent years, science has substantiated this intuition, revealing the concrete ways that nature benefits our mental well-being, such as stress reduction, mood-boosting, improving focus, and facilitating social connection. 

Reducing stress is one of nature’s most potent and well-documented effects. A 2019 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that spending just 20 minutes in a park significantly reduced stress levels compared to being in an urban environment. The sensory experience of being in nature seems to have a direct effect on our nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing feelings of tension. 

This stress reduction isn’t just about calming oneself and breathing fresh air; spending time outdoors also boosts physical activity levels. Exercise is a well-known stress reliever, and taking it into the natural world amplifies the benefits. Considering the low level of commitment required to get outside for 20 minutes of the day, these “nature pills” are accessible to all. 

In addition to calming us down, being out in nature can also significantly improve our mood. Studies have shown a positive correlation between time spent outdoors and greater feelings of happiness and well-being.  Heather Eliasson, professor at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, stated in a 2024 interview that spending time in nature “results in mental restoration and increased positive emotions and decreased anxiety and rumination.” The immediate calming effect that lowers cortisol levels also has demonstrable long-term positive gains in well-being and happiness.

The reasons for these gains are manifold and difficult to parse, but sunlight likely plays a large role. Sun exposure triggers the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and sleep, and a rise in Vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to depression; thus, the rise could stave it off. 

More qualitatively, exposure to nature can also foster a sense of awe and wonder, emotions that have been shown to promote feelings of positivity and connectedness. A 2018 study published in Emotion found that spending time in nature boosted feelings of awe, which in turn led to greater life satisfaction, particularly in the study group of military veterans, at-risk youth, and college students, all of whom experience high levels of stress and instability. It turns out those Romantics were right to seek out the sublime!

Modern life, with its constant (over-)stimulation and endless stream of content, often leaves us feeling scattered and helpless to muster any focus. Studies have demonstrated boosts in attention span, memory, and creativity after time spent in green spaces. Some research suggests that our brains enter a state of “soft fascination” when we are in nature, and this state promotes clearer thinking and widens our bandwidth.

It is this soft fascination that is so often sacrificed in favor of satiating boredom with technology—that next TikTok video is unlikely to do anything but pile onto the already clogged attention highway of our content-addled brains. Stepping out into a flowering meadow or traipsing through a shady grove after rainfall can clear out some of the mental detritus and leave us feeling fresher. No wonder these landscapes appear as screensavers when we allow our screens to go dormant. 

This improved focus can be particularly beneficial for students struggling with concentration or for anyone facing a challenging mental task – a short walk in the park before tackling a big project can provide just the mental reset you may need. 

It is important to note that easy access to expansive natural spaces isn’t universal, especially for those who live in urban environments. Despite this lack of access, here are a few tips to incorporate nature into your daily life:

• Green-ify your home: Fill your house with plants! Apart from enhancing the vibes of your living space, indoor plants can reduce stress and improve mood, according to various studies. 
• Let the light in: Upon waking up, open the curtains and let in the daylight. The benefits of natural light are plentiful, and it can positively influence our sleep patterns. 
• Route your day around green spaces: Find the nearest local park and integrate a brief stop there during your daily/weekly errands.  

The benefits of spending time outdoors are undeniable. From stress reduction and improved mood to enhanced focus and social connection, nature offers a potent remedy for the mental health challenges of the contemporary world. Perhaps Emerson said it best in Nature, published in 1836: “In the presence of nature, a wild delight runs through the man, in spite of real sorrows.” So, lace up your shoes, step outside, and allow yourself to be enveloped by the restorative power of nature. You might just be surprised at how much better you feel!

About TLC Wellness

TLC Wellness is dedicated to serving individuals of all ages and addressing a broad spectrum of mental health needs. The mission is to provide compassionate and effective therapy services, tailored to each person’s unique circumstances, to promote healing, resilience, and holistic well-being within the community. By utilizing proven modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention, acceptance and commitment therapy tools, and family systems/relational models, TLC Wellness strives to empower individuals on their journey toward a more authentic and fulfilling life.