Do you need a breather? Try these tips to connect with the natural world to promote better mental health

There’s a reason people say to take a walk on the wild side of life – spending time outside can increase our intake of vitamin D, as well as reducing blood pressure, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. Nature is unequivocally good for our bodies.

But the benefits go beyond the physical; there can be a variety of mental and emotional reasons for wanting to step outside. Perhaps you seek the mental clarity of having green space around you, or the grounding effect of feeling your two feet firmly on the earth. It can feel like quite a personal thing – what we seek from nature – and, perhaps, what you look to gain from the natural world changes each time you enter it.

But, in order to truly reap the mental health benefits of the great outdoors, we should perhaps focus our intentions more. It’s thought that, rather than the amount of time we spend outside, the quality of our interactions with nature is the most important factor (where our mental health is concerned).

Feeling connected with our natural surroundings is what we should be aiming for, for maximum benefit.

So, how can we develop our connection with the natural world?

1. If you’re going to be in nature, be in nature

In other words, getting outside is the first step. To really take advantage of the time spent in fresh air, you have to focus on getting out of your head and into your body.

In our busy lives, there can be a temptation to make our journeys as quick and time-efficient as possible. That might mean checking your emails while walking the dog, or catching up on a podcast on your cycle to work. Of course, productivity has its place. But could you benefit from completely switching off once in a while, and just being in the moment?

Why not go for a walk and leave your phone at home, or at least put it on airplane mode? This can help you tune out from a busy day, enabling you to focus on the present and notice what’s around you; the sights, sounds, and smells.

2. Involve all your senses

Talking of sights, sounds, and smells, our senses are key tools in connecting to the natural world. One way to utilise them is to try the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique the next time you go out.

Look around you, focus, and slowly take in your surroundings. Try to identify:

  • Five things you can see – the smaller the detail, the better.
  • Four things you can touch – it could be grass or a tree if you’re in a park, or maybe sand and water if you’re at the beach. What do they feel like?
  • Three things you can hear – birds, rain, wind. How nearby or distant are the sounds?
  • Two things you can smell – a bonfire, freshly cut grass, or the smell of rain on the pavement. Research shows that exposing your lungs to fresh air can help to relieve stress and anxiety. So, be sure to take a deep breath.
  • One thing you can taste – you might find that you have to use your imagination for this element.

3. Seek out nature in your online consumption

Getting outside is the obvious way to connect to nature, but it’s not all about the great outdoors. There are ways to access nature from inside your home, and even while you’re watching TV or on your phone. In fact, research shows that viewing photos and videos of nature online can impact our emotions just as
much as being outside.

In a study by BBC Earth, participants who watched just a few minutes of Planet Earth felt 46% more awe and 31% more gratitude than participants who watched other types of TV programmes. The research suggests that even brief engagement with nature content can lead to significant increases in positive emotions, including contentedness, joy, and amusement.

So, the next time you’re stuck for something to watch, opt for a programme about the natural world (extra points if it’s presented by Sir David Attenborough). Or start following some inspirational accounts on social media, and turn your time scrolling into an experience of wonderment of the natural world. Some of our favourite Instagram accounts are @bbcearth, @forestryengland, and @earth.

4. Engage with wildlife

Call us biased, but one of the best things about the natural world has to be the animal kingdom. If you’ve got a pet, be sure to make time for play or to spend time in their company. Not only will it benefit you, but it’s also great for their sense of wellbeing, too.

If you haven’t got a pet, there are plenty of other ways to access the magic of wildlife. You could set up a birdfeeder and keep an eye out for robins in your garden, or even watch out for pigeons in your local town. Birdwatching is renowned for its mindful benefits but, if you’re not a fan of birds, there are a plethora of creatures you can look out for, and take more notice of – be it squirrels or bees.

For more information about the benefits of nurturing local wildlife, to find a nature reserve near you, or to volunteer for a conservation project, visit wildlifetrusts.org.

Animal magic

Animals offer many innovative ways of supporting our mental health. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a therapeutic model that incorporates animals to help with both physical and mental health conditions. Studies have found AAT to be particularly helpful for decreasing anxiety, depression, and isolation, while increasing motivation, feelings of being socially supported, and decreasing the perception of pain.

5. Be inspired to get creative

Many people find nature inspires them to create, be it through painting, drawing, photography, or writing. There’s so much out there just waiting to be our source of creativity, from vibrant and fiery autumnal leaves to the crunch of frost underfoot on a cold winter morning.

Creative activities offer their own wellbeing benefits, as they give us a chance to develop hobbies and flex our artistic muscles – so there’s even more reason to combine creativity with our natural environment!

When you next go for a walk, why not go with the intention of capturing your surroundings? You could take photos of five moments of natural beauty. Or you could try your hand at creative writing, noting down some sentences about what you experienced.

Nature can help us to maintain positive mental health, or if you’re struggling with a mental health problem, it can be a great supplement to other types of support, like talking therapies or medication.

If you’d like to explore how ecotherapy or walk and talk therapy could help you, you can find out more at Counselling Directory.