Getting Into Nature: A Super Wellbeing Activity

Many years ago, when I read Deepak Chopra’s Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, of all his wise insights, something in particular stuck with me. When outlining The Law of Pure Potentiality, Chopra describes how our essential nature is pure consciousness, and he encourages connecting with this inner self through silence, meditation, non judgment and immersion in nature. It was this last part, about nature, that really struck a chord.

Our affinity towards nature is deeply rooted in evolution, but modern living can often deprive us of this crucial connection. The advent of urbanisation, technology and social media means that we’re not getting the invigorating and healing benefits of being immersed in our natural environment. And we’re suffering for it. 

Our primitive bond with nature is so ingrained in us that one study even showed how participants who simply looked at a picture of a natural environment reported lower stress levels than those who looked at a picture of an urban environment. And surveys have highlighted the fact that people who live close to natural features, such as the beach or mountains, have better mental health and fall sick less often than those living in urban settings.

I was lucky enough to grow up in a market town surrounded by beautiful countryside. The Shropshire Hills, designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, is a rolling landscape of picturesque valleys, lush woodland, rugged plateaus and undulating ridges. Summer holidays were spent at my grandparents' home in the magnificent Brecon Beacons; paddling in gentle streams, scrambling across wooden gates and wimberry picking in the hills. I knew that being immersed in all this glorious greenery felt good but I never really took the time to understand why.

My family life now is characterised by a love of the outdoors. We spend as much time as we can hiking, cycling, swimming in rivers and lakes, visiting the beach and enjoying waterfalls. Through my work and research, I also have a much better understanding of why it gives us all such an amazing wellbeing boost. In fact, I believe that being in nature comes with so many mental and physical health benefits it should be deemed a Super Wellbeing Activity. Here’s why:

1. Exercise

Getting out into nature inevitably involves some kind of exercise, whether it’s walking, running, climbing or cycling, and physical movement is well known for having a hugely positive effect not only on our physical health but on our mental health too. Physical activity releases endorphins -the feel-good hormones which help to reduce stress, anxiety and depression, while significantly boosting our overall mood. It also provides a natural way to relieve tension, promoting relaxation and mental clarity. A recent new analysis of meta studies has found that exercise can sometimes be more beneficial for conditions like anxiety and depression than standard psychotherapy. When you’re feeling low, the last thing you probably want to do is get active. But if you can push through the initial feeling of resistance, you’ll soon be experiencing those endorphin highs! (Bit of a fun fact: the word ‘endorphin; comes from ‘endogenous’ (from within) and ‘morphine’ (a pain reliever) -literally meaning “the body’s natural morphine”!)

2. Negative Air Ions

Immersing ourselves in nature ensures that we reap the benefits of negative ions. If you haven’t heard of them, mood-boosting negative air ions are oxygen atoms that have picked up an extra electron and have a negative charge. They’re abundant in nature, especially around moving water. If you’ve ever felt the stimulating, exhilarating feeling of being next to a thunderous waterfall or crashing waves, that’s due to the negative ions. They’re nature’s way of keeping us alert, fresh and positive. Even having a shower can produce the same effect, to a lesser extent, and that’s why it’s so important to get up and have a shower even when you feel sad or demotivated. On the contrary, electrical items produce unhealthy positive ions, which make us feel drained. That’s why if you’re in a stuffy room all day looking at a screen, you’re going to feel really tired and sluggish.

3. Mindfulness

Being in nature provides a perfect opportunity to practise mindfulness. Mindfulness involves focussing on the present moment without judgement. This means observing our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations or the surrounding environment, without judging that there’s a right or wrong way to think or feel in any given moment. It’s about being aware of what’s happening in the here and now, rather than ruminating about the past or worrying about the future. Nature invites us to use all our senses: the sound of trickling water, the feel of the wind on our skin, the scent of fresh air, the sight of natural landscapes and the beauty in the finer details -from the delicate folds of petals to the intricate patterns on seashells -all pull us into the present. This sensory engagement helps shift our focus away from stressful thoughts. Numerous studies have proven the positive benefits that this has on our minds and bodies, from reducing stress and fighting depression to boosting the immune system and improving the quality of our sleep. 

4. Awe

Studies have shown that the positive emotion of awe is a particularly powerful tool for boosting happiness. A feeling of awe can be found in the extraordinary, the beautiful or the vast. It can be as simple as gazing at great art, listening to awe-inspiring music or witnessing profound human achievements, but nature in particular provides an abundance of awe-inspiring experiences. Have you ever gasped at the beauty of a natural landscape? Been entranced by the sight of a wild animal? Felt humbled by the power of the ocean or the majesty of a mountain? Research has proven that moments of awe can have a transformative effect on our mood and mindset. They remind us of the magic of the world around us and have the capacity to expand our perspective, making our everyday concerns seem smaller in comparison.

5. Sunlight 

Being outdoors in nature allows us to reap the benefits of sun exposure. Sunlight is the primary source of vitamin D, which is crucial for bone health, immune function and mood regulation. Exposure to sunlight also increases the production of serotonin, a hormone associated with boosting mood and helping us feel calm and focused, and higher serotonin levels are known for helping to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Being out in the sun is especially helpful if you experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Obviously, however, care needs to be taken to protect your skin from burning.

6. Connection

An excursion into nature can often be a shared experience, allowing for the proven wellbeing benefits of social connection. Countless studies have shown how strong social ties improve our physical and psychological wellbeing and give us a greater sense of meaning and purpose. They also help us to cope with stress by giving us an opportunity to talk about our problems instead of turning to negative coping strategies, like alcohol or cigarettes. Meaningful relationships provide a sense of belonging, emotional support and purpose in life, which are all crucial components of human happiness. Studies have also shown that this is true for both extroverts and introverts. For extroverts, close connections often serve as a source of energy and enjoyment, allowing them to thrive in social interactions and find fulfilment in a wide circle of friends. But introverts also benefit immensely from these connections, as they provide a safe and intimate space for introspection, genuine conversations and emotional bonding.

7. Recharge

Attention Restoration Theory, or ART, is a concept from environmental psychology that explains how spending time in nature helps your brain recover from mental fatigue. When you’re doing tasks that require intense focus, like studying, working or constantly switching between screens, your brain’s directed attention system gets overworked. Nature helps by engaging your involuntary attention in a gentle, effortless way through things like rustling trees, birdsong or the movement of clouds. This ‘soft fascination’ gives the prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain responsible for decision-making and concentration) a chance to rest. Research shows that after time in a natural environment, people often experience improved focus, better memory and reduced stress. It’s like giving your brain a well-earned breather.

Obviously for many people it can be a real challenge to get out of their urban environment and immerse themselves in the wild beauty of nature. So it’s important to be realistic and do what you can with what you have. Try to seek out green spots in your vicinity, like nearby parks where you can see trees, listen to birds and maybe enjoy a water view. Even simply spending time in your garden, if you have one, can be hugely beneficial, and gardening itself is a very healthy, mindful, mood-boosting hobby that’s great for reducing stress. 

Nature really is a great healer and it’s vital to get as much of it as we can.

If you like dogs but don’t already have one, and you feel that getting one is a realistic and manageable idea, then welcoming one into your life really is a great way to get out every day for the essential walks. Watching our family dog fetching sticks, racing down hills and bounding through waves brings an extra level of enjoyment to our outings and gives us even more motivation to get out in the elements. 

In a world that often feels fast-paced, overstimulating and disconnected, nature offers us a powerful and accessible remedy. You don’t need to scale a mountain or camp in the wilderness to experience these benefits; even the smallest moments outdoors can make a difference. If we prioritise nature in our daily lives, in whatever form we can, we’re investing in our health and happiness. And that, to me, isn’t just a lifestyle choice -it’s a vital act of self-care.