Spending Time Outdoors Improves Your Wellbeing and Helps the Earth.
Benefits of Spending Time in Nature
Have you ever just sat at the beach with the wind blowing in your hair and just felt relaxed. There is a reason for that feeling and it has to do with our body’s response to being in nature.
Whether it is in a ‘green’ space with trees and gardens or in a ‘blue’ space near oceans, lakes and rivers, spending time in nature and in the great outdoors is beneficial for both your health and wellbeing.
Studies[1] show that spending time outdoors has been found to have a range of health benefits including lowering cortisol levels (the stress hormone), boosting serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain leading to improved moods[2], and improving cognitive function. These studies show that spending as little as 2 hours a week in nature led to improved health outcomes[3].
People who spend time in nature have been found to have better cardiovascular health which may in part be linked to their outdoor activities such as hiking, walking, cycling, or outdoor fitness.
Exposure to fresh air and sunlight helps to increase vitamin D levels, which is crucial to bone health and spending time in natural light helps to regulate your circadian rhythms, improving your sleep.
[1] Twohig-Bennett C, Jones A. The health benefits of the great outdoors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and health outcomes. Environ Res. 2018 Oct;166:628-637. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2018.06.030
American Psychological Association. (2025, April 8). Nurtured by nature. Monitor on Psychology, 51(3). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature
[2] https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2024/04/09/how-the-outdoors-can-improve-your-mood
[3] White, M.P., Alcock, I., Grellier, J. et al. Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Sci Rep 9, 7730 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-44097-3
Inspiring a Connection with the Earth
Meditating or practicing mindfulness outdoors helps you to reset, feel more grounded and connected with the Earth. It can also inspire a deeper connection to the environment and a stronger desire to protect it.
Reconnecting with nature and the environment helps to foster eco-conscious behaviours such as reducing waste, choosing sustainable products and supporting other environmental causes.
People who spend more time outdoors often have a smaller carbon footprint, as they are more likely to participate in eco-friendly activities like cycling or gardening.
Easy Ways to Connect with Nature
It is easy to start incorporating nature into your daily life, by simply going for a short walk or sitting in a park during your lunch break. Why not take your shoes off and feel the grass between your toes.
Being outdoors doesn’t have to involve hiking up mountains (but it can if that is your pleasure), instead you could try other outdoor activities like birdwatching, gardening or strolling through the local park or botanic gardens. You can also try meditating, practice mindfulness or even just stretch in the sunshine.
There are also many options for people looking for more active outdoor pursuits including cycling, swimming, yoga, outdoor fitness classes, hiking, jogging or even just walking.
Make the time
With so many amazing benefits for your health and wellbeing, we should all make the time to reconnect with nature. Whether it’s a daily lunchtime stroll around the park or a weekend hiking trip, getting outdoors and into nature is great not only for your wellbeing but also for our planet.
Learn about Tri Nature’s commitment to sustainability and our environment here.
