The Healing Power of Nature: The Link Between Connection to Nature and Well-being

Last month, I wrote a blog about burnout. It’s been a rough few years for all of us and the cumulative effects of such considerable grief and trauma experiences on top of the flow of life have certainly taken a toll. Our souls feel weary, our bodies more tired.

As we move into the spring season, I find myself pausing and listening to the chirping of the birds, enjoying the quiet drips of snow melting, and appreciating the sunlight that the longer days bring in a way that feels unfamiliar. I find myself feeling called into nature to my very core. There’s something different about this spring. I’m not entirely sure what it is, but I notice a sense of urgency…a deep longing. Every part of me needs to be in nature with the sun on my face, the wind in my hair, and my feet splashing in the puddles. It’s a longing that I’ve not really felt so intensely before. It feels non-negotiable and firm.

Even as I write these words I notice a tension in my core and my eyes want to fill with tears. My body is seeking a release from the stress and deep healing work that have encompassed the last few years, and it’s moving me into action. I notice an impulse to cultivate a deeper connection with nature, one that endures through the stress of everyday life. This feels vulnerable for me, too. As someone who doesn’t have a lot of experience with outdoor recreation and activities, the desire for a stronger relationship with the outdoors that encompasses more grit, more mess, and more independence feels frightening and fills me with doubts. I’m brought back to the line in the poem above, “you know that you need not hold onto the past any longer”. This season feels like a renewal, a chance to change the trajectory of one of the stories I hold about myself. I remind myself that the goal isn’t to impress others with my outdoor skills, but to cultivate a deeper connection with myself and the outdoors. I will fumble and stumble my way through it, and that’s okay. Reconnecting with nature and my body means making mistakes, getting messy, and hopefully, enjoying some laughs along the way. To practice mindfulness is to be in the present moment, without judgment, and we all deserve a space like this.

The Link Between Connection to Nature and Psychological Well-being

As humans, we have an innate connection to nature. Researchers have found a strong link between our connection to nature and our psychological well-being. Wolsko and Lindberg (2013) found that individuals who reported feeling a connection to nature also reported higher levels of psychological well-being, including greater life satisfaction, vitality, and positive affect.

Similarly, a meta-analysis conducted by Schutte and Malouff (2018) found that mindfulness and connectedness to nature were positively associated with psychological well-being. They found that individuals who reported feeling connected to nature and who practiced mindfulness had higher levels of well-being, including greater happiness, life satisfaction, and positive affect.

Huynh and Torquati (2019) found that a combination of nature exposure and mindfulness practices led to significant improvements in psychological well-being, including reduced levels of anxiety and depression.

Practical Ways to Connect with Nature and Practice Mindfulness

There are many practical ways to connect with nature and practice mindfulness. Here are a few ideas:

Take a walk in nature: Whether it’s a hike in the mountains or a stroll in a local park, spending time in nature can help you feel more connected and present in the moment.

Practice mindfulness meditation: Set aside a few minutes each day to sit quietly and focus on your breath, allowing thoughts to come and go without judgment. To add some elements of nature into your practice, you can listen to sounds of the ocean or a thunderstorm, whatever your heart desires.

Start a gratitude journal: Take a few minutes each day to write down things you are grateful for, such as a beautiful sunset or the sound of birds chirping. Reflect on your day in nature, even if you were stuck in the city all day. Notice the sound of the leaves rustling, the birds chirping, the warm sun on your face, or the incredible sound of rain. Take yourself back to those moments through your journal, and use this to resource a future version of you that’s struggling.

Engage in outdoor recreation: Try activities such as camping, gardening, paddleboarding/kayaking, or birdwatching to help you feel more connected with nature. 

This journey feels frightening and fills me with great anticipation as well. I picture myself grounding to the earth through my feet with the dirt or sand in my toes. I picture myself on a lake just going with the flow of the water. But most of all, I picture the healing and release of the last few years as I connect to the wind, sun, water, and earth in whatever form (big or small) feels essential in the moment.

References

Wolsko, C., & Lindberg, K. (2013). Experiencing Connection With Nature: The Matrix of Psychological Well-Being, Mindfulness, and Outdoor Recreation. Ecopsychology, 5(2), 80–91. https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2013.0008

Schutte, N. S., & Malouff, J. M. (2018). Mindfulness and connectedness to nature: A meta-analytic investigation. Personality and Individual Differences, 127, 10–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2018.01.034

Huynh, T., & Torquati, J. C. (2019). Examining connection to nature and mindfulness at promoting psychological well-being. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2019.101370

Blog Written by Sarah Hopkins

Sarah is a Registered Psychologist. She is also a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®, EMDR Clinician, and Registered Circle of Security® Parent Facilitator (COS-P). She has taken specialized training in maternal mental health through Post Partum Support International (PSI).

Her own experiences with grief, loss, and trauma have absolutely propelled her drive to sit with others, witness their pain, and support their healing.

Being a parent herself she appreciates being able to help other parents support their children through anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and other issues.

To learn more about Sarah or to book a session with her, click here.