The Positive Impact of Nature On Our Mental Health

When you consider ways to improve your health, what is the first thing that comes to mind? If you’re like most of us, you think of ways to add healthier food choices to your weeknight meals. Or, whether or not you should finally put that gym membership to use. While those are both valid and important things to consider when aiming to improve your health, there is something equally —if not more— important: Your mental health.

Not many people realize this, but our mental health greatly affects our physical state. Don’t believe it? The next time you find yourself feeling anxious, pay attention to your shallow breathing and high heart rate. Feeling stressed out, notice the way your jaw clenches and your shoulders tense up. Still, while these physical responses are a result of your mental state, there are steps you can take towards alleviating, if not omitting them entirely.

One of the simple, yet effective ways to be proactive in nourishing your mental health is to spend time in nature. When in nature, disconnected from social media, emails, phone calls, and texts, we are open to a level of happiness that can only come from being surrounded by earth’s beauty.

And, while working out in a gym or going for a run through your neighborhood can work wonders for your overall happiness and mental state, there’s something about being deep in nature that brings a sense of peace to our lives.

3 Ways Nature Positively Impacts Our Mental Health

Increased Happiness

One of the simple, yet significant benefits of being in nature is the happiness it brings. Maybe it’s the beauty, or maybe it’s that we’re so immersed in our surroundings– whatever the reason, nature makes us happy. Furthermore, time in nature helps fight depression. That’s right, a study performed by Stanford found that “walking in nature could lead to a lower risk of depression.”

Stronger Immune Systems

It helps build our immune systems. In fact, “forest environments have beneficial effects on human immune function”. When you place yourself in nature, the air and high levels of physical activity contribute to a strong, healthy immune system.

Increased Awareness

It encourages us to see the world beyond ourselves. The countless species of plants, birds, and wildlife, open our eyes and minds to a world larger than ourselves.

Some of the other benefits of spending time in nature include an increase in energy, as well as improved focus and better sleep (insomniacs, take note!). But don’t wait until summer to begin spending time in natural environments. Visiting national parks in the cooler months is just as good –if not better– as visiting during warmer months. In fact, in the off-season, you not only get the mental and physical health benefits listed above, you also get the quietness from fewer crowds and better pricing on lodging.

Self-Discovery

With all the technology and information so easily accessible, we tend to look to search engines for answers. And, while that is definitely something that comes in handy, we miss out on the satisfaction that comes from physically seeking out an answer to a question.

Recently, a commercial provided by DiscovertheForest.org (shown above) aired on television, showing a child asking whether or not trees tell each other stories. The device was unable to answer, so the child’s father took her to a national park to find out for themselves. There were questions the device could not answer, but the child and her father were able to get answers to while in the forest, walking along trails. Not only that, but they were able to enjoy one another’s company.

These are the experiences that spark joy within ourselves and our children. These are the experiences that encourage adventure and discovery, and that will teach our children to love and appreciate the beauty of our world. And isn’t that what we want? Don’t we want to raise our children to be curious, respectful, and happy adults?

This commercial holds so many lessons and ideas, but one that can be taken away is this: When we don’t have the answer, we can go to nature and find it (sometimes within ourselves). The belief that there is nothing we can’t learn or do builds our self-esteem and promotes a healthy mindset.

So, continue to drink plenty of water, put that gym membership to use, and eat nutrient-rich foods– but take care of your mental health, too. Commit to spending time in nature and if possible, visiting national parks.

To begin planning your next vacation to Bass Lake or Yosemite National Park, visit basslake.com.