Throughout human history, we have existed within nature, just as much a part of the outdoors as the trees, the animals, and everything else on our planet. But in more recent decades, our connection to nature has been shifted. Between our responsibilities to work and the comforts of modern life, many of us find ourselves increasingly disconnected from the outdoors—something that used to be a fact of everyday life.
We humans aren’t used to spending so much time indoors, and it’s all too easy to take nature for granted, not making time for it in our busy, modern lives. But, as we’ll discuss in this article, time spent outdoors is not only a nice luxury, but also it’s downright essential for our mental well-being.
While the exact science connecting time in nature to mental health is still in progress, it’s clear that time in nature does correlate with improved mood and reduced symptoms of mental health concerns, along with a number of other health benefits [1, 2]. In this guide, we’ll explain some of the many mental health benefits of time spent in nature.
What Counts as Nature?
When you think of spending time in nature, you might first think of deep forests or rugged mountain ranges. While these wild, untamed lands are absolutely amazing to experience, you don’t need to head out to the wilderness to enjoy the benefits of nature.
Even a simple day at the park or a walk through a wooded trail near your home can be great ways to tap into the mental health benefits of nature. Any time spent in nature is better than none; even having potted plants at home can have mental health benefits [3]. However, the best benefits will come from spending time in a natural environment that hasn’t seen too much interference from human development, including:
1. Boosted Attention and Focus
Sometimes, it can feel like the entire world is competing for our attention. With the advent of social media, video games, films, TV, podcasts, and everything else, it might feel difficult to give anything your full attention and focus for long.
In a 2022 review that looked at experiments conducted with students, it was shown that time spent in natural environments had a positive cognitive effect after periods of mental stress and fatigue [4]. These students reported feeling more focused and attentive, making it much easier for them to return to the mental challenges of their studies.
In another 2009 trial, it was found that children with ADHD had an easier time concentrating after a walk in the park, showing that time spent in nature can affect diagnosed cognitive challenges as well [5]. So whether you’re dealing with an attention deficit or simply have a hard time focusing, we recommend spending a little time outside.
2. Improved Mood and Reduced Depression Symptoms
Whether you’re generally feeling down lately or have been diagnosed with depression, it’s been shown time and time again that nature can help. Even a short period spent in nature has been demonstrated to boost your mood and reduce feelings of hostility, depression, anxiety, and chronic stress.
If you have clinical depression, time spent in nature can be one of the most reliable ways to disrupt negative thought patterns and the emotions that accompany them. We don’t know exactly how this process works on a scientific level, but it’s been suggested that time spent in nature provides an escape from the day-to-day monotony of life, reconnecting us with our environment and helping us feel more at peace [6].
3. Reduced Stress
Time spent around natural environments can also help you feel more calm and relaxed, helping to reduce feelings of anger and irritation at the same time. Studies have shown that nature therapy can reduce your blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormone levels, dramatically lowering feelings of anxiety and the irritability it can sometimes bring [7].
When we regularly spend time in nature, we’re shown to be better at self-regulating our emotions, making it easier to take life’s challenges in stride without letting them stress us out too much [8].
4. Increased Social Connection
Another amazing benefit of time spent in nature that gets discussed less often is the effect on our social health. We humans are inherently social creatures, but our world makes it easier than ever to isolate ourselves from each other. Studies have shown that exposure to nature directly supports social connection to other people, making us more likely to care for, help, and assist other people [9].
This benefit is twofold—not only does improved social connection support mental health in its own right, but it also helps you stay close to people who care about you, who can in turn support your mental health too.
Including Time in Nature in Your Life
As you can see, there are incredible, scientifically proven mental health benefits to spending time outside. So how do you go about making this a part of your routine?
Of course, the easiest way is to simply make a point of getting outdoors. Like we mentioned, this doesn’t mean you need to go backcountry camping every single week—walking to the park, strolling on the beach, or spending a summer afternoon by the river can all have incredible benefits for your body and mind. Try committing to spending time outside once a week to start. After some time, you’ll likely begin to crave the soothing feelings that come from being in a natural environment.
We’re firm believers in the healing power of nature, leading us to run a number of programs that integrate time outdoors with mental health support. We’ve seen these transformative experiences help people grow and develop in countless ways, which is why we decided to create our TheraCamp program.
The TheraCamp retreat isn’t just a camping trip—it’s a soul-nourishing, heart-opening adventure that combines a practical therapeutic approach with the natural, awe-inspiring beauty of nature. The program goes beyond therapy, helping participants develop heartfelt connections, treasured memories, and personal growth within nature’s embrace.
Want to learn more about the TheraCamp program? Visit our website for more information. And if you have any questions about nature’s benefits, or you need a little more help to include them in your daily life, feel free to book a 30-minute consultation with our staff.
Enjoy the outdoors!
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