During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when social distancing kept many of us from close contact with other humans, people flocked outdoors. Along with toilet paper and KN95s, stores ran out of gardening supplies and outdoor gear. The state park near my house had to close to prevent trail erosion from the sudden influx of hikers. In our virtual sessions, many of my clients told me that daily walks outside had become a necessity in their lives, an anchor through an incredibly difficult time.

It’s true that during those days we didn’t have many other places to go. But I wonder if the pull to be outdoors was more than just a distraction from boredom. At a time when so many of our connections with other humans took place virtually, did we go outside to find the sense of connection we lacked? If we were drawn outdoors from our longing for connection, could intentional, mindful connection with the rest of nature help us treat all of Earth more kindly?

Research on nature-based therapies and mental health suggests that the answer to both of these questions is ‘yes.’

The Science Behind Nature’s Healing Power

We know that spending time in nature is helpful for mental health. Many of us know this intuitively, often heading outside when we feel upset or overwhelmed. There is also a lot of research to support this. Hundreds of studies have found that time in nature positively affects many aspects of our health and well-being:

• Reducing blood pressure
• Boosting the immune system
• Improving attention
• Alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety¹

Studies on ecotherapy and nature-based therapies suggest that bringing mindful attention to our experiences in the natural world can lead to even greater mental health benefits.

What is it about being outside that helps?

Some studies take a traditionally Western scientific view, breaking down the benefits into discrete factors like breathing in phytoncides (essential oils from trees) or taking a break from the busyness of modern life.

Others come from a more holistic perspective, suggesting that the benefits of being outside come from a feeling of connectedness with nature.

A review of 216 studies exploring human-nature-connectedness and sustainability found that:

• Feeling connected to the natural world was strongly correlated with both overall happiness and environmentally-friendly behavior.
• Interventions involving contact with nature and mindfulness practices led to a significant increase in participants’ sense of connection to nature.²

This research suggests that spending intentional time connecting with the natural world both helps us feel better and motivates us to treat the planet more kindly. That’s great news!

Of course, changing how we live and relate to the Earth isn’t as simple as just getting outside more. For example, we know that despite lower air, water and noise pollution in the first few months of the pandemic, those months did not create lasting positive changes in the health of our planet.³ There are many forces keeping us in the current, unsustainable system. These forces create both external and internal barriers that can make it difficult to change our relationship with the rest of nature (more on that in the next post).

But for now, take a moment to step away from your screen and head outside. Or if you can’t go outside, look at a tree through a window. Take a few deep breaths. Notice the sights, sounds and smells around you. Then check in with your body and just observe how you feel. Do you feel more connected, relaxed or joyful?

1. Coventry, Peter A et al. “Nature-based outdoor activities for mental and physical health: Systematic review and meta-analysis.” SSM – population health vol. 16 100934. 1 Oct. 2021, doi:10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100934 ↩︎
2. Barragan-Jason G, de Mazancourt C, Parmesan C, Singer MC, Loreau M. Human-nature connectedness as a pathway to sustainability: A global meta-analysis. Conserv Lett. 2022 Jan-Feb;15(1):e12852. doi: 10.1111/conl.12852. Epub 2021 Nov 21. PMID: 35865265; PMCID: PMC9286792 ↩︎
3. Dellink, R. et al. (2021), “The long-term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery measures on environmental pressures: A quantitative exploration”, OECD Environment Working Papers, No. 176, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/123dfd4f-en. ↩︎

Could you use support in exploring your connection with nature?