We live in an era when the average American spends 90% of their life indoors and over 10 hours a day on a screen (Klepeis et al., 2001; The Nielsen Company, 2016). Despite the trajectory of contemporary lifestyles, a growing body of evidence suggests that reconnecting with nature is a key element of health and wellness. This article will explore why nature supports human health, practices to connect with nature, and the benefits of doing so.

How Nature Supports Your Health: Three Perspectives

Have you ever wondered why it feels better to hike in a forest than walk on a treadmill or relax on a beach than lie on the couch? 

According to stress reduction theory, our bodies are hardwired to live in nature because humanity evolved in natural environments. This hypothesis helps explain why exposure to nature has been shown to reduce stress levels more than urban environments: our evolutionary heritage predisposes us to find nature calming (Ewert & Chang, 2018). 

Since time immemorial, Indigenous wisdom has identified the value of being in nature, which contemporary science has just begun to illuminate. Indigenous writer, botanist, and scholar Robin Wall Kimmerer describes the land as a teacher of reciprocity, mutual flourishing, and interconnectedness, lessons with material and spiritual implications that support our individual, community, and ecological well-being (Kimmerer, 2016).

Carl Jung (1964) explains, “Man feels himself isolated in the cosmos because he is no longer involved in nature and has lost his emotional ‘unconscious identity’ with natural phenomena.” Through a psychodynamic lens, our loss of contact with nature’s symbolism has drained us of emotional energy and left a void of existential meaning. 

Accessible Practices to Connect with the Natural World

In the face of overwhelming pressures that steer us towards indoor, screen-oriented lifestyles, there are simple, accessible ways to reconnect with nature. 

Naturalist practices like learning about plants, animals, and clouds rewire our attention to appreciate the natural world. Becoming intimate with different species’ names, relationships, and roles is a simple way to become more in tune with and aware of the world around you.

Art projects that incorporate nature through materials or subject matter can also deepen your connection with nature. Tuning into the natural world’s themes about life cycles, interconnectedness, balance, and reciprocity can reveal powerful metaphors for processing emotions. If the possibilities feel overwhelming, consider beginning with writing a poem about the seasons of life, painting landscapes, or constructing a nature mandala.

Mindfulness practices (intentionally and nonjudgmentally turning your attention to the present moment) can be enhanced by focusing on nature. A “sit spot”, or a frequent visit to the same place outside to reflect on the world around you throughout the seasons, is one way to cultivate your connection with nature. This practice can support you to experience a sense of unconditional belonging to the living continuum of the natural world.

Benefits of Being in and Connecting with Nature

Numerous studies demonstrate that spending time in contact with nature is associated with improved health and wellness. Psychological benefits include improved emotional regulation (Vitale & Bonaiuto, 2024), increased attentional control (Faber, Taylor & Kuo, 2011), and increased mental and physical vitality (Ryan et al., 2010). However, these gains are not limited to those with physical access to outdoor green spaces.

Research also indicates that having an emotional connection with the natural world is associated with greater life satisfaction and perspective-taking ability (Mayer & Frantz, 2004). One meta-analysis found that those who rated themselves as being more connected with nature experience higher mood, vitality, and life satisfaction, while another study shows that an increased sense of nature-relatedness is associated with lower rates of anxiety (Capaldi et al., 2014; Martyn & Brymer, 2016). Even simply listening to recorded sounds of nature has been shown to reduce stress levels (Annerstedt et al. 2013; Stobbe et al., 2022).

You do not need to go backpacking in a national park to reconnect with nature, although doing so is a wonderful opportunity; through simple activities like noticing wildlife on your commute to work, drawing in the park, or meditating while listening to nature sounds, you can experience the holistic health and wellness benefits of connecting with nature.

Key Takeaway

Everyone, from the homebody to the outdoor adventurer, can benefit from deepening their connection with nature. Taking small steps to begin a new practice to deepen your relationship with nature is an empowering way to feel better.

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References

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• Capaldi, C. A., Dopko, R. L., & Zelenski, J. M. (2014). The relationship between nature connectedness and happiness: a meta-analysis.Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 976–976. https://10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00976
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