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by Emily Batdorf June 01, 2023 5 min read
If you’ve ever spent the week in the backcountry, you know just how refreshing that time in nature can be. When you return from a week in the wilderness, you feel a sense of new energy, peace, and happiness.
Those positive feelings are something to pay attention to. They’re evidence of science-backed research on the ways time in nature can improve your mental health. And in a world where so much of your day is spent hunched over laptops and glued to screens, you could likely use these benefits now more than ever.
The good news is, you don’t have to complete a month-long thru-hike to get a mental boost from nature — though if you can swing it, we encourage you to hit the trail for a few days. But even if you’re trying to squeeze a little more nature into your 30-minute lunch break, the benefits of doing so are well worth the effort.
Below, we’ll dive into five ways spending time in nature can boost your mental health — plus easy ways to incorporate more nature timeinto your busy schedule.
Here at Cloudline, we tend to find any excuse to spend more time in nature — but if you need another reason, here are six ways it can boost your mental health:
You’ve probably experienced firsthand the natural high you get from spending a day in the fresh air. But science backs up these feelings: Nature makes us happy. Studies have shown that people who spend time in nature experience more positive emotions afterward than those who don’t. And if you add some activity to the mix — like hiking, biking, or running — your body’s release of endorphins can further boost your mood.
Distractions are prevalent in the modern day world, to say the least. It may feel like your day is spent being sucked into one distraction after another. And it’s no wonder, with so many advertisements, devices, and news stories constantly bombarding you.
Not surprisingly, time in nature — away from these distractions — can help your brain recover. One study showed that after four days of backpacking, participants were better able to complete puzzles than participants who hadn’t been on the trail. Scientists think time in nature allows your prefrontal cortex the time and ability to recover from consuming so much information on a regular basis. As a result, time in nature can lead to better problem-solving.
Most of us spend our days communicating with friends, family, and colleagues through a screen. Texts, Slack messages, Zoom — it’s all become the norm. And when you are together in person, it still feels like you can be fighting for your loved one’s attention. After all, who goes anywhere without their phone in their pocket, and who’s not tempted to check it when it pings?
Luckily, time in nature — especially on trails in the backcountry — can encourage screen-free time with friends and family. Without the constant distraction of devices, you can enjoy one another’s presence in a more meaningful way.
All the wonderful benefits of spending time in nature contribute to increased confidence, too. Better concentration, lower cortisol (and therefore stress) levels, a better mood, and deeper connections can all foster confidence.
And that’s not to mention the confidence that comes from developing knowledge of the outdoors and doing physically or mentally challenging activities. It may just be anecdotal evidence, but how many of us have noticed a boost in self-confidence after a tough hike? There’s something about challenging your body or practicing self-reliance in the wilderness that builds self-esteem.
Whether it’s your job, your busy schedule, or a difficult life event, you probably deal with various sources of stress on a daily basis. You already know that eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep can help you cope with stress. But time in nature can, too.
Studies show that time in nature decreases stress and leads to lower heart rates and less anxiety. And these benefits are in addition to the benefits you get from exercise, like a walk or bike ride. You don’t need to take a walk in the woods to benefit from nature, though — studies show even looking out a window can help reduce stress.
While going out for a multi-day backpacking trip or spending the weekend camping in the woods sounds great, it’s not always possible. Luckily, you can absorb the mental benefits of spending time in nature in small doses, too. All you have to do is find simple, consistent ways to incorporate more nature into your daily routines.
Here are a few ideas:
If you’re looking for enjoyable ways to boost your mood, deepen your relationships, or build your confidence, spending a little more time in nature can help. Beyond these invaluable benefits, being in nature simplyfeels good — who could argue with that?
Remember, you don’t need to set out on a wilderness expedition to enjoy nature’s benefits. Just do what you can to incorporate a little more nature into smaller pockets of your day, and notice how your mood changes.
Looking for new ways to bring the outdoors into your life? At Cloudline, we’re all about helping you enjoy nature to the fullest. Sign up for our newsletter, and enjoy more outdoor adventure tips, ideas, and how-to’s delivered straight to your inbox.
Emily is a copywriter based in northern Michigan. She's happiest outdoors, whether she's hiking, skiing, paddling, or swimming. As a writer, she loves working with companies that inspire all people to get outside. When she's not writing or playing outdoors, you can find her cooking, reading, or hanging out with family and friends. Find more of her writing here.
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