top of page

The Sciency Bit
How Nature Helps the Mind

Being in nature doesn’t just feel good—it literally changes your brain and body in ways that reduce stress, boost mood, improve focus, and make you feel more at ease.

Nature calms the brain

  • Spending time in green spaces reduces activity in a part of the brain called the subgenual prefrontal cortex, which is linked to rumination—those repetitive, negative thoughts that can fuel anxiety and depression.

  • A 2015 Stanford study showed that participants who walked in nature had lower levels of this brain activity compared to those walking in urban settings.

  • 📖 Reference: Bratman, G. N. et al., PNAS, 2015 DOI:10.1073/pnas.1510459112

IMG_1592.JPG
IMG_1630.JPG

Nature lowers stress hormones

  • Time in nature can reduce cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone. Lower cortisol levels mean less tension and a greater sense of calm.

  • Just 20-30 minutes in a natural setting—gardens, parks, forests—can significantly lower stress markers.

  • 📖 Reference: Hunter, M. R. et al., Frontiers in Psychology, 2019 DOI:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00722

Natural environments improve mood and reduce anxiety

  • Exposure to nature increases serotonin and dopamine levels—chemicals that play a key role in happiness and motivation.

  • People often report feeling refreshed, more hopeful, and less anxious after time outdoors.

  • 📖 Reference: Berman, M. G. et al., Psychological Science, 2008 DOI:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02225.x

IMG_2671.JPG
IMG_1237.JPG

Nature boosts focus and mental clarity

  • Natural settings help reset our attention systems. This is known as Attention Restoration Theory. After time in nature, people perform better on tasks requiring concentration.

  • Even views of trees from a window or photos of nature can help to some extent.

  • 📖 Reference: Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S., The Experience of Nature, 1989 (book)

Nature helps people feel more connected and less lonely

  • Being in green or wild spaces fosters a sense of connection—to the earth, to something larger than ourselves, and even to others.

  • This feeling of “being part of something” supports emotional resilience.

  • 📖 Reference: Mayer, F. S., & Frantz, C. M., Environment and Behavior, 2004

IMG_6948.jpeg
bottom of page