Reconnecting With Nature: Why Being Outdoors Is Good for Our Mental Wellbeing
When was the last time you went outside without somewhere to be, something to do or a destination in mind?
Life can be noisy. Between work, relationships, family responsibilities and the constant presence of technology, it's easy to spend much of our time rushing from one thing to the next.
We can become so caught up in our thoughts, our worries and the demands of everyday life that we forget to notice what's happening around us.
Yet sometimes, something as simple as stepping outside can change how we feel.
Perhaps you've noticed it yourself. That sense of relief after a walk in the woods, the calm that comes from sitting beside water, or the way your thoughts seem to settle when you're somewhere surrounded by nature.
There's a reason so many of us instinctively head outdoors when we need to clear our heads.
Our Connection With the Natural World
For most of human history, our lives have been closely connected to the natural environment. Today, many of us spend much of our time indoors, surrounded by screens, artificial lighting and constant stimulation.
While modern life brings enormous benefits, it can also leave us feeling disconnected from the world around us.
Research suggests that spending time in natural environments can help reduce stress, support our mood and improve our overall sense of wellbeing.
And the wonderful thing is that we don't need to climb mountains or disappear into the wilderness to experience these benefits.
A walk through a local park, sitting in the garden or spending a few moments noticing the trees outside can be a starting point.
It's less about how far we go and more about giving ourselves the opportunity to notice what's around us.
The Science Behind Nature and Wellbeing
There's something about being in nature that many of us recognise instinctively. We feel calmer, our thoughts seem clearer, and the pressures of everyday life can feel a little less overwhelming.
But this isn't just a feeling. There's a growing body of scientific research exploring how time spent in nature affects both our minds and bodies.
A study published by researchers at Stanford University found that people who walked for 90 minutes in a natural environment experienced less repetitive negative thinking than those who walked through a busy urban setting. Researchers also observed changes in brain activity associated with this kind of thinking.
The World Health Organization has also highlighted research linking access to green spaces with improved mental wellbeing.
What I find particularly interesting is that nature doesn't ask us to do anything. We don't have to achieve something, solve a problem or even have a conversation. Sometimes, simply being outdoors, noticing our surroundings and allowing ourselves to slow down can be beneficial.
Nature isn't a replacement for therapy, but it can offer something valuable alongside it: a space to slow down, reconnect and perhaps begin to see things differently.
Nature Gives Us Space to Think
Have you ever found that a problem feels less overwhelming after a walk?
Sometimes, when we're struggling with something, we find ourselves going over the same thoughts again and again.
We can become caught in patterns of worrying, overthinking or imagining what might happen next.
Being outdoors offers a change of environment and, sometimes, a change of perspective.
Walking gives us the opportunity to move away from our usual surroundings and notice something beyond the thoughts occupying our minds.
The changing light, the sound of birds, the feeling of the ground beneath our feet.
These small moments can bring our attention back to what's happening here and now.
Our problems don't necessarily disappear, but we may find ourselves approaching them with a little more space and clarity.
The Importance of Slowing Down
We often associate being outdoors with activity. Walking, running, cycling or exploring somewhere new.
But nature doesn't always have to be about doing something.
Sometimes, it's about doing very little.
Sitting beneath a tree, watching the movement of water or listening to the wind can give us a rare opportunity to slow down.
One approach that explores this is forest bathing, a practice originating in Japan known as Shinrin-yoku.
Despite the name, it has nothing to do with swimming. It's simply about spending time among trees and paying attention to the sights, sounds and sensations of the environment.
There's no distance to cover, no pace to maintain and nothing to achieve.
For those of us who spend so much of our lives feeling that we should be productive, perhaps there's something valuable in remembering that we don't always have to be doing something.
We can simply be.
What Nature Can Teach Us About Ourselves
One of the things I find fascinating about nature is its constant process of change.
The seasons come and go. Trees lose their leaves, landscapes change and new growth emerges in places that once appeared bare.
There are periods of growth, periods of stillness and periods when very little seems to be happening.
Our lives aren't so different.
We experience change, loss, uncertainty and times when we feel stuck. We also experience opportunities for growth, new beginnings and moments when things begin to make sense.
Nature reminds us that change is part of life, and that progress isn't always straightforward.
Sometimes, looking at the natural world gives us another way to think about our own experiences.
Not everything needs to be fixed immediately, and not every difficult period has to produce a lesson.
Sometimes we simply need time, understanding and space.
Taking Therapy Outdoors: Walking and Talking
For some people, having a conversation while walking feels more natural than sitting face-to-face in a room.
This is one of the reasons I offer walk-and-talk therapy in the beautiful Surrey countryside.
Walk-and-talk therapy combines traditional counselling and psychotherapy with the experience of being outdoors.
Rather than sitting opposite one another, we walk side by side, allowing conversation to develop at a comfortable pace.
For some, this can make talking about difficult emotions feel a little less intense. The natural surroundings can also offer opportunities to pause, reflect or simply enjoy a moment of quiet.
You don't need to be particularly fit or an experienced walker. This isn't about exercise or covering a certain distance.
It's about finding a setting where you feel comfortable exploring what's going on in your life.
Of course, outdoor therapy isn't for everyone, and traditional indoor sessions can be just as valuable.
At the heart of therapy, wherever it takes place, is the relationship between therapist and client. Feeling heard, understood and accepted remains central to how I work.
Finding Your Own Connection With Nature
You don't need a therapist or a particular technique to begin exploring the benefits of spending time outdoors.
Perhaps start by taking a short walk without headphones, sitting somewhere green during your lunch break or noticing the changing seasons on a familiar route.
You might find it helpful to ask yourself:
- How do I feel before and after spending time outdoors?
- What do I notice when I slow down?
- Where do I feel most comfortable or at ease?
There's no right or wrong way to connect with nature.
And perhaps that's part of its appeal. It doesn't ask anything of us.
Curious About Walk-and-Talk Therapy?
If you enjoy being outdoors or feel that sitting in a traditional therapy room might not be quite right for you, walk-and-talk therapy could be something worth exploring.
I offer counselling and psychotherapy in Surrey, including outdoor sessions surrounded by the beautiful Surrey Hills.
Whether you're navigating relationship difficulties, anxiety, life changes, or simply wanting to understand yourself better, therapy offers an opportunity to talk things through.
If you're curious about working together, why not start with a conversation?
I offer a free introductory call where we can discuss what you're looking for, answer any questions and see whether working together feels right.
Get in touch to arrange your free introductory call.
And perhaps that's something nature reminds us: we don't always need a destination, a plan or somewhere to be.
"You can't be lost if you have nowhere to be."
Christy Elliott, Counselling, Psychotherapy & Coaching