Time in Nature

Is the Prescription We All Need

If you’ve ever woken before dawn to watch sunrise quietly creep across towering mountain peaks or soak a calm lake with gold and thought, “I needed this,” you’re actually correct. If you’ve ever stayed up late listening to crickets while constellations construct themselves across a dark sky and felt at peace, it makes perfect sense. We all need those moments of feeling small in the vast outdoors.    

Spending time in nature can have meaningful benefits for both mental and physical health. Even relatively short periods outdoors can help lower stress, improve mood, reduce anxiety, and restore focus, giving the brain a chance to recharge from the demands and distractions of everyday life. 

Those benefits extend to the rest of the body, too. Time outdoors can support cardiovascular health and healthier sleep patterns, while naturally encouraging movement through activities like walking, hiking, and biking. Exposure to sunlight also helps the body produce vitamin D. Put simply, getting outside is a logical, accessible way to support your overall well-being. 

Nature Rx Movement 

Studies funded by major universities and medical institutions have found quantifiable evidence that walking in nature leads to a lower risk of everything from depression to some cancers. Time in nature has been found to have a positive effect on mood and cognitive function, and a decrease in anxiety. It also has a huge impact on physical health, including lower blood pressure, better circulation, and increased heart health.  

Walking anywhere is great for fitness, but studies have found that the medical benefits are specifically profound when people are around trees, water, open space, and natural sounds. Prescribed time in nature has been found to help improve all kinds of mental and physical issues, in all ages. No matter who you are, where you are, or how old you are, the benefits of time in nature are undeniable. In fact, experts say it’s as important for children and young people to spend time in nature as it is for adults and seniors.  

And even if you’re in great health, time in nature has been shown to regulate feelings of loneliness, common stress, and seasonal disorders. It’s not just about getting your steps: it’s about experiencing wonder, awe, and beauty. Generally, we could all use more time feeding the senses in nature.  

It Doesn’t Have to be Far 

Who wouldn’t want to spend as much time as possible strolling a perfect beach, hiking picturesque mountains, or biking mossy trails along the coast? But if you live far away from those places, the effects of time in nature work just as well at your closest state park. Even if you plan a few big trips each year to spend loads of time in nature, it’s even better to supplement those experiences with shorter and less involved doses. When you can’t be in your most ideal outdoor setting, driving an hour to a lake or trail system usually doesn’t take much effort and has huge rewards.  

More than 2,000 medical providers have registered with Park Rx America, which launched a decade ago, and sends patients reminders to get outside. At least 100 other organizations have also launched around the world to get thousands of people thinking about how nature can be healing.  

Experts say the most important factors of time in nature include fresh air, trees and plants, calming sounds, and letting your mind wander.  

Get Unplugged Outdoors 

Another important factor is the chance to step away from screens and media. Staying connected for safety and capturing a few photos is important, but so is disconnecting from the stresses of work and social media. After all, part of the joy of being in nature is simply being present. Listen to birds and sounds of water, smell pine and petrichor, watch the wind in the grass or a spider build a web. These little moments go a long way for our bodies and minds.  

Increasingly, we spend most of our lives indoors, often with a screen in front of us. But time in nature offers a powerful counterbalance, with research linking green spaces and outdoor exercise to reduced stress, better health, improved productivity, and a higher quality of life. Even if your work keeps you inside, it’s worth making time to step away from the screen and get outdoors. 

Find Your Zen 

Besides all the health and fitness benefits, it just feels good to be in nature. It brings us back to a childlike baseline of wonder and awe. With technology, screens, and distractions competing for our attention nearly all the time, nature offers a different kind of stimulation: one that invites peace, calm, and curiosity. 

Rigorous activity can be fun and exciting, but sometimes it’s also great to just sit and be still. Toss a ball for the dog. Watch a butterfly flutter around. Notice how intricate the flowers are. Time in nature is one of the best gifts you can give yourself, whether it’s a faraway trip to a bucket-list destination or a familiar lake just down the road. 

Prescribe yourself some time outdoors, and see how good a regular dose can feel.