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The Science Behind Our Connection to Nature
Why Time in Nature Is Not a Luxury. It Is a Human Need
For most of human history, the outdoors was not something we visited occasionally. It was where we lived our lives.
People traveled through forests and across plains. They learned to read landscapes, identify plants, track animals, and understand seasonal changes. Survival depended on observation and awareness of the natural world.
Only in the last century have large numbers of people moved toward indoor lifestyles where work, school, and entertainment often happen within walls.
Despite that change, the human body and mind are still deeply connected to nature.
Modern research increasingly confirms what woodsmen, hunters, naturalists, and outdoor educators have long understood through experience. Time spent outdoors improves mental health, strengthens cognitive function, improves physical health, and supports childhood development.
Nature is not simply recreation. It is part of the environment humans evolved in.
An overview of research discussing the benefits of outdoor exposure can be found here:
https://1000hoursoutside.com/1/post/2019/01/children-should-be-outside-for-4-6-hours-everyday.html
Another article explores how emotional connections to the natural world influence human well being:
https://www.filmsforaction.org/articles/falling-in-love-with-the-earth/
The Mental Health Benefits of Nature
One of the most well documented benefits of time outdoors is its effect on mental health.
Natural environments help reduce stress hormones and calm the nervous system. The sounds of birds, flowing water, wind in trees, and other natural elements influence how the brain processes stress.
Researchers have consistently found that people who spend time in natural environments experience lower levels of anxiety and depression.
A major study reported in Scientific Reports found that individuals who spent at least two hours per week in nature reported significantly better physical health and psychological well being.
The research can be read here:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190613095227.htm
The findings were also reported in environmental health coverage:
Outdoor environments also help relieve mental fatigue caused by constant digital stimulation. Natural settings allow the brain to recover from the attention demands created by screens, traffic, and urban noise.
More discussion of this connection between nature and mental health can be found here:
https://www.outsideonline.com/2397694/nature-mental-health
Even simple outdoor experiences such as walking in the rain can influence stress levels and mood:
Nature Improves Brain Function and Creativity
Spending time outdoors does more than reduce stress. It also improves how the brain processes information.
Researchers studying attention and cognitive performance have discovered that natural environments help restore focus and improve creative thinking.
In one well known study, participants who spent several days in wilderness environments improved their creative problem solving ability by nearly fifty percent.
One explanation is something researchers call soft fascination. Natural environments engage the brain gently and allow cognitive systems to recover from mental overload.
Digital environments often demand constant attention and rapid decision making. Nature allows the brain to slow down.
Research exploring how hiking and nature exposure influence brain function can be found here:
Controlled breathing techniques often practiced outdoors also support emotional regulation and mental clarity:
Research into Japanese forest bathing has also demonstrated measurable improvements in stress reduction and immune response:
https://qz.com/804022/health-benefits-japanese-forest-bathing/
Children Need Outdoor Time More Than Ever
Perhaps the most concerning trend in modern society is the dramatic decline in outdoor time among children.
Many kids today spend large portions of their day indoors interacting with screens instead of exploring the natural world.
Some studies have pointed out a striking comparison. Many children now spend less time outdoors than prison inmates.
This issue is discussed here:
http://returntonow.net/2016/03/28/kids-spend-less-time-outdoors-than-prisoners/
Outdoor play is essential for childhood development. It helps children develop creativity, coordination, independence, and problem solving skills.
Simplifying children’s lives and increasing outdoor time has also been linked to improved emotional regulation and reduced stress:
https://www.greenchildmagazine.com/simplify-for-happier-calmer-kids/
Countries that encourage outdoor engagement among youth have also seen positive changes in behavior and reductions in substance abuse:
https://mosaicscience.com/story/iceland-prevent-teen-substance-abuse
Nature Improves Physical Health
Nature exposure produces measurable physical health benefits as well.
Exposure to natural daylight helps regulate circadian rhythms, which control sleep patterns and energy levels.
Camping trips, even short ones, can help reset the body's internal clock and improve sleep cycles.
Research describing this effect can be found here:
Living near green spaces has also been associated with longer life expectancy and improved health outcomes:
http://www.goodshomedesign.com/new-study-women-live-longer-if-they-live-surrounded-by-nature/
Outdoor activity also involves natural movement. Hiking, climbing, paddling, and navigating uneven terrain engage muscles and balance systems that indoor exercise often misses.
A reflection on the deeper value of hiking and long distance walking can be found here:
https://www.outsideonline.com/2397176/homage-thru-hiking
The Emotional Power of Natural Environments
Natural landscapes influence human emotions in powerful ways.
Many people experience a sense of calm when surrounded by forests, rivers, mountains, or open fields.
This response is not accidental. Humans evolved in environments like these, and our nervous systems respond positively to them.
Even the smell of rain on soil has been shown to influence stress levels and emotional well being:
Coastal environments also show measurable effects on mental health and relaxation:
Nature Strengthens Families
Outdoor experiences often create the strongest family memories.
Hiking, fishing, camping, and exploring natural areas create opportunities for conversation, teamwork, and shared discovery.
Introducing children to outdoor adventure early in life can help build lifelong connections with nature:
http://www.backpacker.com/skills/5-reasons-you-need-to-adventure-with-your-baby
Organizations focused on reconnecting families with nature emphasize that even small amounts of outdoor time can improve family well being:
The Modern Challenge
Modern lifestyles have dramatically changed how people spend their time.
Many people now spend most of their waking hours indoors interacting with screens.
Some researchers have even compared excessive screen exposure to addictive behavior patterns:
http://nypost.com/2016/08/27/its-digital-heroin-how-screens-turn-kids-into-psychotic-junkies/
Reconnecting with nature helps restore balance.
Even simple habits such as daily walks, weekend hikes, or family camping trips can reconnect people with the natural rhythms their bodies evolved with.
Learning to Understand the Natural World
At Nature Reliance School, the goal is not simply to encourage people to go outside.
The goal is to help people understand the natural world once they get there.
When people learn to identify trees, read animal tracks, recognize plants, understand water sources, and observe wildlife behavior, the outdoors becomes something much more than scenery.
It becomes a living classroom.
These woodsmanship skills connect us with centuries of knowledge passed down from frontiersmen, hunters, trackers, and naturalists.
And they remind us of something important.
The best classroom has no walls.
Frequently Asked Questions About Time in Nature
How much time in nature do humans need?
Research suggests that spending at least two hours per week in nature is associated with improved physical health and psychological well being.
A large study published in Scientific Reports found that people who spent two hours or more outdoors each week reported significantly better health compared to those who rarely spent time in natural environments.
You can read more about that research here:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190613095227.htm
The important takeaway is that nature exposure does not have to happen all at once. Several shorter outdoor experiences throughout the week can produce similar benefits.
Why does nature make people feel better?
Natural environments influence the nervous system in ways that reduce stress and improve emotional balance.
The sights, sounds, and rhythms of natural settings help calm the brain and reduce the production of stress hormones such as cortisol.
Researchers studying environmental psychology have found that time in forests, parks, and other natural environments can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and help restore mental focus.
More research on this connection can be found here:
https://www.outsideonline.com/2397694/nature-mental-health
Does hiking or spending time outdoors improve brain function?
Yes. Studies have shown that time spent in natural environments can improve focus, memory, and creative problem solving.
One well known study found that participants who spent several days in wilderness environments improved creative problem solving performance by nearly fifty percent.
Researchers believe this happens because natural environments allow the brain to recover from the constant stimulation of modern digital life.
More discussion about this research can be found here:
Why is outdoor time important for children?
Outdoor play helps children develop creativity, coordination, independence, and problem solving skills.
It also encourages physical activity and reduces stress.
Some studies have pointed out that many modern children spend less time outdoors than prison inmates, largely due to increased screen time and structured indoor activities.
You can read more about this issue here:
http://returntonow.net/2016/03/28/kids-spend-less-time-outdoors-than-prisoners/
Encouraging children to explore nature helps them develop observational skills and confidence that benefit them throughout life.
What are simple ways to spend more time outdoors?
Spending time outside does not require major wilderness expeditions.
Simple activities can provide many of the same benefits.
Examples include:
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Walking local trails
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Hiking in nearby forests or parks
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Camping with family or friends
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Fishing or paddling
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Gardening
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Exploring local wildlife areas
Even short outdoor experiences can improve mood and reduce stress.
Organizations focused on reconnecting families with nature suggest that regular small outdoor experiences can have powerful health benefits.
More information can be found here:
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