Why being in nature is good for your mental health

I started out exploring nature with all its fascinations from a very young age. As I got older and proceeded to high school, university and the latter years, the one element that kept my mental health “together” was nature.

Whenever I was overworked or needed some calm in my life, I would succumb to nature and the wilderness. It gave me strength, serenity and opened up my mind’s eye to change for the better.

This is the one reason I became an outdoor leader and guide. To help people overcome life’s darker ripples through spending time in nature. My guided trips are designed with this in mind.

Being in nature is good for your mental wealth. There’s no doubt about it, but how good is it for your mental health and wellbeing?

Spending time in nature has plenty of benefits much of which is backed by science, research and my personal experience. Both mental and physical health can benefit from purposing nature as a remedy.

The psychological (mental) effects is substantially impacted in this case and hence, those who choose to spend more time in the outdoors are doing so for a very good reason.

Currently, neglected mental health is one of the biggest causes of illnesses. Some people have no idea that they are even suffering from mental health issues but over time, the body begins to show signs through illness.

Did you know that walking in nature is one of the most powerful tonics for the preservation of your physical and mental wellbeing?

So, why is being in nature good for your mental health?

Maximise natural sunlight

Lack of vitamin D is attributed to anxiety, depression and other serious mental illnesses. This in itself should arouse fear in anybody.

Something that can be avoided by spending time outdoors, but yet overlooked by so many. Vitamin D is also coined as the “sunshine vitamin” which our bodies need to make through the absorption of sunlight through the skin.

Regular exposure to the sunlight is enough to create vitamin D especially between spring through to autumn. The surface area around the face, arms and legs is plentiful and perfect for capturing the sunlight.

The feel-good factor phenomenon

Who doesn’t want to feel good about themselves, mentally and physically? The outdoors and nature is the ultimate feel-good factor that provides the human body with an instant boost.

Those who venture out in the natural outdoors don’t just do it because they are adventure enthusiasts, but they also do so because of the gratification and the emotional uplift they get through exercising in nature, and the rewards of the views that unfold.

The sense of leaving everything behind and being mindful of what’s in front is what happens, and this not only increases confidence but elevates self-esteem to another level.

Reduce stress, anxiety & depression

A few years ago I suffered a major setback in my life. I could have gone down a very different path, perhaps one of very little chance of a safe return. Nature was my remedy.

If suffering from high levels of stress, anxiety and potential depression, you may have felt a never ending circle of thoughts. We all do at some point. The most fortifying way of fighting this severe mental fog is surrendering to nature. I know this from experience.

Spending time in nature is known to reduce stress, anxiety, contribute to better heart health and alleviate depression through vigorous exercise and walks in nature.

And hence if cortisol, the stress hormone is reduced through the outdoors which is often the case, the body and mind reacts in a positive way through increased happiness.

Mood boosting excellence

Nature has the power to accelerate mood boosting excellence in the mind and in turn affects your body in a positive manner. 

Sometimes you feel it instantly, and at other times, you feel the effects post activity. Exercising including walking in the outdoors is a natural form of antidepressant and can diminish mild forms of depression.

It is a form of therapy, nature therapy, whereby the senses are attracted to nature’s goodness through sight, sound, smell and touch. Taste too, if you plan on doing some foraging.

Focus on working memory and improve concentration

There is plenty of research that proves the theory that exposure to nature and the outdoors improves memory, focus and concentration.

Modern life is a busy life. Our minds’ are constantly being pounded and inundated by information, decisions, worries and thoughts that often effect our memory and concentration.

You may find focus is lacking, diminishing concentration levels and even fatigue of the mind and body all of which can be difficult to control.

Spending time in nature has proven to restore concentration so that we can focus for longer. Walks in nature clears and restores the mind and reinforces thoughts and memory.

Increase happiness and life satisfaction

The question that begs to be asked is whether you’re happy with the “expected”? Why just live life when you can absolutely thrive in life.

Surely, happiness and life satisfaction is up there at the top of most life goals. Submission to the outdoors inadvertently increases happiness and life satisfaction through freeing the mind and being in the moment amongst nature.

Know this, we as humans, are dependent on nature. It underpins our very existence.

The healing powers of nature

The healing powers of nature go beyond the water we drink and the food that we eat. It’s also about the fresh air that we breathe and how we use our senses to take in what nature provides.

Nature and the wilderness has provided us with the tools that we need to heal ourselves. Exposure to nature is known to lower blood pressure, battle anxiety and depression, lower levels of inflammatory compounds and increase the level of serotonin in our bodies.

Do not underestimate the healing powers of nature for nature is nothing short of miraculous. Science and research has over and over again proven this phenomenon. Medical professionals in some countries go as far as prescribing nature therapy (walks in nature) on a regular basis.

Worry less and improve sleep

Last but not least, we all want to worry less and improve our daily sleep. Worry impacts sleep. Lack of sleep impacts health.

If you’re ever worried about something then go for a walk, run or bike ride and even better if you can do it in nature. Nature is most highly regarded in offering freedom from complexities and peace of mind along with making provision for solutions to problems.

Not only will you create room to think, but exercising dilutes anxiety and tires the body allowing for better sleep.

A tired mind and body needs rest. Urban living is the cause of much unrest and so, empower yourself with the knowledge that you can relax and unwind in the natural outdoors.

Summary

In summary, go out into the great outdoors and do it frequently. Nature is the greatest teacher and healer nurturing you back to good mental health.

I say the above from experience. Experience I have kept close to my heart for many years and now, I support and help people thrive when I empower them to shape their own story through the outdoors and nature.

There’s no hard and fast rule about where you go to explore nature… go local, go further but the important thing is to go often.

Happy hiking and good mental health to you!

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Along with the content on this website, I regularly post outdoor information, videos, photographs and adventure advice on the various social media channels. You can connect with me below.

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