Nurture your connection to nature to improve your health and well-being
Fostering a healthy mind, body, and soul through a connection with nature
Nature is essential to human survival. Plants, soils, rivers, and oceans keep us alive through the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. But the link between humanity and nature goes much further: recent research has proven definitively that having a connection with nature is the key to improving physical and mental health, mood, and well-being.
For many of us, however, the natural world seems separate from our daily lives. Humans today spend more time indoors as conveniences such as electricity, running water, and even supermarkets add a degree of separation that makes us forget where these things actually come from.
Reconnecting with our environment not only provides many tangible and intangible benefits, but it could also be the key to a healthy mind, body, and soul.
How does nature impact our well-being?
While the positive connection between nature and well-being has long been accepted, not much work has gone into understanding the “how” and “why”. However, a study conducted in 2019 aimed to accomplish just this, examining the link between recreation or leisure in natural environments and overall health. In the end, the results showed that spending just two hours a week outside promotes better physical and mental health in as little as one week.2
Further research has demonstrated that the natural world is also a vital part of our social development. Because connecting with nature not only fosters social cohesion, but also provides us with a sense of place and opportunities for meaningful human interaction.1 Parks are a prime example of this phenomenon.
Connecting with ourselves through nature
Such activities also generate “transcendent” benefits, which relate to the religious or spiritual connections made when spending time in nature.3 Many Indigenous peoples, such as Aboriginal Australians, “see themselves and nature as part of an extended kinship network, viewing themselves as related to nature.”4 As such, we have a spiritual connection to nature that continues in the modern day, confirming that this link is an intrinsic part of the human experience.
Spending time in nature has also proven, time and again, to be an effective stress reliever. And considering the unique pressures of the modern world, having a convenient, low effort, and essentially cost-free destresser right outside our front door is of great advantage.
Easy ways to enjoy nature every day
Regardless of where you are based, connecting with nature doesn’t have to be a difficult process. Even if you live in a concrete jungle, there are some simple steps you can take to reap all the benefits nature so clearly provides for us. These include:
- Explore the great outdoors: While this may seem obvious, in the world of remote study or work and online convenience, staying indoors all day can be surprisingly easy. In a recent survey in early 2023, we asked some of our students what activities they engage in to nurture their well-being; according to them, a quick walk through a nearby park, going out to lay in the sun, or just breathing in the fresh air can work wonders on your productivity and frame of mind.
- Start exercising: Any form of outdoor exercise will do the trick. Our students suggest going out for a jog, swimming or doing some yoga in the park—the list is endless! You will gain mental and physical health benefits not only from nature but also from the endorphin-boosting exercise activities, providing the perfect combination.
- Connect with nature’s elements: We are always surrounded by nature, even when not outdoors.
Why not take inspiration from the four elements of the natural world:
- Air by practicing breathwork
- Water by taking a cold shower
- Earth by taking care of your indoor plants
- Fire by lighting a candle
In short, take inspiration from what you already have in your home to bring nature indoors. This will benefit your general well-being while ensuring that the perks of natural environments are easily accessible for all.
- Engage with nature virtually: Sometimes, our hectic schedules can make it virtually impossible to fit in time outdoors. In that case, you can still get your nature fix by connecting from the comfort of your own home or office. Various organizations provide convenient resources that can help us reset from day-to-day stressors. For instance, Waterbear Planet creates opportunities to enjoy quality personal time through virtual guided sonic nature experiences.
A beneficial connection
There are no drawbacks to connecting with nature. No matter what that connection looks like for you or the approach you choose to build it, incorporating nature into your daily life leads to a plethora of positive results for your mind, body, and soul.
Take advantage of what the world around us has to offer for the betterment of your mental and physical health, as well as to build resilience to face the stresses of day-to-day life. The research speaks for itself!
1 Pattemore, C., Cassell, D. K. (2022). Spending time in nature is good for you. New research explains why. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/spending-time-in-nature-is-good-for-you-new-research-explains-why
2 White, M. P., Alcock, I., Grellier, J. et al. (2019). Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Scientific Reports, 9, 7730. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-44097-3
3 Unis, S. (2020). Nature connection and stress: Activate your superpowers! Workr Beeing. https://workrbeeing.com/2020/06/14/nature/
4 Keaulana, S., Kahili-Heede, M., Riley, L. et al. (2021). A scoping review of nature, land, and environmental connectedness and relatedness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(11), p.5897. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115897