Nature
Spending time in nature and natural environments such as parks, beaches, and trails has been linked to improved wellbeing. White et al. (2020) found that spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Weekly time outdoors is positively associated with both wellbeing and life satisfaction. (Rowney et al, 2020). Being around green spaces whether sitting or walking can also increase your levels of vitamin D as well as decrease stress levels.
Nature in your daily routine
Being outdoors in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it can also contribute to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones.
Ground Yourself by Connecting with the Earth
Find a quiet space in your backyard or a nearby neighborhood park, and begin by just relaxing and taking some slower breaths. Scan the area around you and begin to notice everything from the grass, plants, and trees to the sky, clouds, and birds
Listen to the Sounds of Nature
Next time you find yourself outdoors, stop and take a moment to do some focused listening. Simply relax and take in whatever sounds are happening around you. Try focusing your attention on the sounds that are farthest away from you, then focus on the sounds that are the closest to you. Can you hear the sounds of your own breathing, too?
Get Into Gardening
Working in the garden can also release happy hormones like serotonin and dopamine.
Reflection
Write your answers in the spaces following the questions:
What do you do to get out and experience nature?
How does it make you feel?
Are there things you could do to get out more? What are these?
Instructor Notes:
Key Concepts to Cover
- Describe the benefits of nature on one’s biopsychosocial wellbeing
- Explain how to incorporate nature into one’s daily life
- Engage participants in reflection activity and discuss the impact of nature on one’s life