There’s something about time in nature that seems to refresh us. A walk in the park, the sound of birds, the smell of rain on the earth. Many people find that even a short time outside helps them feel calmer and more alive.
Researchers have been exploring this too, and many studies suggest that time in green spaces is linked with better mood and lower stress. Time outdoors is increasingly seen as part of a healthy lifestyle.
You don’t need a mountain
Nature isn’t only found in national parks. It’s in a city park, a garden, a tree outside your window or a potted plant on your desk. Small, regular doses of nature can be just as meaningful as a big trip.
A video of nature can be pleasant, but many people find there’s no substitute for stepping outside and feeling the air on their skin.
Two kinds of looking
Wide looking. Take in the whole view: the sky, the horizon, the shape of the trees. This can help you feel spacious and calm.
Close looking. Notice the small details: a leaf’s veins, a beetle on a stone, the texture of bark. This can bring you into the present moment.
Gentle ways to spend more time in nature
- Take a short walk outside each day.
- Eat lunch in a park or garden.
- Open a window and listen to the sounds outside.
- Tend a plant or a small garden.
- Sit outside for a few minutes in the morning or evening.
A note of care
Time in nature can be a lovely part of looking after yourself, but it isn’t a treatment for health conditions. If low mood or health worries don’t settle, please reach out for support; you deserve that care.
How little is enough
Spend ten minutes outside each day this week. Notice how you feel before and after.
For more, read mindful walking: a simple way to feel more present.
There’s more along these lines on the Guides page.