Nature and Mental Health
It should be no surprise that spending time in nature has positive effects on our mental health. According to the American Psychological Association, “exposure to nature has been linked to a host of benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even upticks in empathy and cooperation.”
Spending just 20 minutes immersed in nature can help reduce stress. That's because being outdoors increases endorphins and reduces the stress hormone, cortisol.
In a society that spends more time indoors and on screens, how can we challenge ourselves to interact with nature in a meaningful way?
Go hiking: Depending on where you live and your access to transportation, this may be an harder task to accomplish. I use the AllTrails app to find local hiking trails that I wouldn’t have know about otherwise as an urban dweller. Hiking can be as easy or as hard as you want depending on the trail. As a born and raised Midwesterner I am used to flat or paved trails feeling like an easy stroll through the park. However, when you start experimenting with different topography like the trails of Maine, things can start to become more challenging. From personal experience, a Maine easy is a Midwestern hard. So do your research and plan accordingly so you can have a truly gratifying experience.
Camping: If you have a night or two I highly recommend getting out in nature and going camping! This is a great activity to do solo or with your family. Camping can be rustic or glamourous depending on your budget. Personally I love going tent camping for shorter trips and renting an RV for longer trips. If you want to truly get away from people then you can always backpack a few miles into a camping area for a more private experience. One of the websites I use to find camping spots is HipCamp.
Spend an afternoon at the conservatory: In the winter months when staying inside is preferable for many, it’s important to still make time to be immersed in nature. Taking a vacation somewhere sunny is an option for some. However, I am a big fan of local and budget friendly that’s why I love going to the conservatory. You can 100% go year round, but theres just something magical about walking into a lush, warm and humid enviroment in the dead of winter that makes me smile. Since I live in Chicago, some of my favorite conservatories to go to are Garfeild Park and Lincoln Park Conservatory.
Being in nature can be an antidote to burnout, isolation, and feelings of loneliness.
Reflective exercise:
In this moment, how can you prioritize your connectedness with nature?
What are the ways in which you’ve been holding yourself back from prioritizing your mental health?
Think of a friend who would like to spend time in nature with you. Now reach out to that friend.
What limiting beliefs came up for you when reading this article?