8 Unexpected Mental Health Benefits of Nature You Must Know

• Written by Jagriti Chakraborty

  Reviewed by Akhil Pillai

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(A brief conversation between two friends)

Rajat: I’ve noticed you haven’t stepped out much lately. Is everything okay??

Riya: Yeah. Just feeling a little down and sluggish.

Rajat: I get that. But honestly, even just a quick walk outside can do wonders. Nature has outstanding potential to clear your head. 

Riya: I know. But finding an hour in my busy schedule is tough. 

Rajat: I can understand. Even just a 20-minute walk can reduce your stress and boost your mood. 

Riya: Hmm… But I haven't felt like moving much lately. 

Rajat: That’s exactly what it helps with. But first, answer me, “ When was the last time you paused, disconnected, and let nature calm your thoughts?” When there are no deadlines or digital interruptions, just the gentle rhythm of the breeze and rustling leaves. In that stillness, the brain takes a deep breath. Let me explain things to you in detail. 

To the world that never slows down, it may seem like a retreat from reality, but it’s a quiet reunion with nature and mental well-being. Even experts are now recognising the therapeutic impact of time spent in nature. Spending time outdoors has measurable benefits. It reduces stress, lifts mood, and brings creativity to life. And the best part is? It’s free, easily accessible, and only a step away, ready to welcome you. 

Let’s try to understand this together, the lesser-known benefits of being in nature and how just a few minutes outdoors can significantly impact your mental health and well-being. 

Surprising Ways Nature Heals Your Mind

There is a powerful harmony between nature and mental well-being. The deeper you immerse yourself, the more healing and clarity you’ll experience. This can be seen as another form of natural detox. Reconnecting with nature truly opens the pathway to improved mental health and well-being. 

Promote Relaxation and Emotional Balance 

Being in nature calms the nervous system by decreasing cortisol, the hormone directly linked to stress.  The sensory experience of nature engages the senses, guiding the brain into a more restorative state. Embracing nature is thus a science-backed path to achieve greater emotional balance. 

Did you know: Spending just20 minutes in a park can significantly reduce stress, even without exercising. 

Supports Digestion to Overall Wellness 

Exposure to sunlight increases serotonin levels. This hormone regulates appetite, mood, digestion, and sleep. These are undoubtedly common areas severely affected by stress. Therefore, activities like walking in green spaces encourage mindfulness, which can further minimise symptoms of depression and guide the way to wellness. 

Did you know: City residents with access to parks or greenery often experience better mental health and reduced depression. 

Encourages Physical Activity 

Outdoor activities stimulate the body naturally to encourage physical movement. Activities like walking, stretching, hiking, or simply a nature walk help release endorphins and serotonin, which reduce stress and promote mental health and well-being. Unlike indoor workouts that can feel monotonous or forced over time, natural movement often feels more enjoyable. 

Did you know: Even low-intensity outdoor activities like gardening can promote a healthy heart and lower hypertension risks. 

Social Media vs Social Connections 

Some outdoor activities, such as joining a group hike or participating in community gardening, develop social connections. These social connections offer an increased feeling of belonging and help eliminate isolation, one of the mental health problems that many people experience despite being connected virtually through social media. While social media connects us digitally, it often leaves us disconnected from real human interaction. Nature, thankfully, provides shared outdoor experiences along with genuine social connections. 

Did you know: Connecting with people during outdoor group activities can ease anxiety, lower the chances of feeling depressed and, support long-term mental well-being. 

Natural Light Therapy 

Natural light therapy involves soaking up sunlight to boost physical and mental health. Sunlight, a key source of Vitamin D, plays a vital role in overall health. While we all consume Vitamin D supplements, nothing can match the body's natural process when exposed to sunlight. This therapy is particularly helpful in SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), a form of depression triggered during the colder seasons. 

Did you know: Research suggests that light therapy with 10,000 lux of bright light can be as effective as an antidepressant drug for managing seasonal depression. 

Restoration of Attention 

Nature works wonders to restore sharpness and mental clarity. In everyday life, when we’re bombarded with constant noise, long screen time, and mentally demanding tasks, nature allows the brain to rest and reset without the pressure on the mind to focus. Attention Restoration Theory explains that nature supports the brain's recovery from mental fatigue.  

Did you know: A short view of natural scenery, as brief as 40 seconds, can sharpen your attention. 

Improves Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills

Nature sparks creativity and improves mental clarity. When you step outside structured environments, your mind is free from constant stimulation, such as notifications, emails, etc. This mental break allows the brain to imagine and reflect, critical for complex problem-solving and generating fresh ideas. 

Did you know: History’s most creative thinkers, like Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, and Beatrix Potter, often turned to nature to gain insights. 

Gentle Ways to Improve Outdoor Activities

Many people often assume that outdoor activities demand a lot of strength or a significant amount of time. However, this is not always true. Some of the most effective ways to achieve mental well-being involve low-energy outdoor activities that anyone can do, regardless of their fitness status. 

Walking 

Walking gently across a park is  an undoubtedly easy yet effective outdoor activity that supports both physical and mental well-being. This mild physical activity stimulates circulation and subtly loosens muscles. Thus, a short 10-minute break can do wonders to reconnect with nature, restore balance, and easily fit into a busy day. 

Gardening 

Gardening is considered a therapeutic activity that nurtures both mind and soul. The rhythmic tasks like digging, pruning, and watering promote light exercise with minimal effort. Watching your plants grow and flourish offers a sense of accomplishment, boosts mood, and reduces stress. 

Yoga 

Yoga offers the calming influence of nature. Whether through breathing exercises or stretching, yoga boosts flexibility and helps achieve balance. It is highly advisable to perform yoga outside to breathe fresh air, soak in natural light, and listen to birdsong, which intensifies yoga’s stress relief effects.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching is a peaceful outdoor activity that requires patience and observation. It engages your senses as you use your sharp eyes to spot the colours and movements of birds, and your ears tune into their chirping. These simultaneous activities reduce mental clutter.  The best part is that the activity is accessible to people of all ages without physical exertion. 

Outdoor activities undoubtedly boost your physical and mental well-being and reduce health risks. To maximise the benefits of your outdoor activities, consider signing up for a comprehensive health insurance plan that offers wellness benefits, fitness programs, or outdoor activity incentives. Some health insurance providers offer fantastic discounts on renewal premiums with wellness benefits. Therefore, choosing  reliable health coverage to make your path to wellness more effective. 

Real-life story 

Find Riya’s Transformation From Stress to Serenity 

This is an accurate account of stress relief with the help of nature. 

Background: Riya, a software developer from Hyderabad, had been experiencing anxiety for several months. Her daily life was often interrupted by intense anxiety, which made her routine activities hard to manage.

Challenge: Riya periodically experimented with several treatments, but her anxiety symptoms remained a persistent challenge. 

Solution: One weekend, she met Rajat. Following his advice, Riya decided to make it a habit to stroll gently in the park each morning for half an hour. Rajat also advised her to go bird watching to enjoy the subtle flight of birds. This activity helped her calm her racing thoughts and manage her anxiety over time. 

Outcome: Over time, Riya added walking and birdwatching to her daily routine and began feeling better. Her anxiety became less frequent and less overwhelming than earlier. Now, she has accepted that nature has offered her a refreshing sense of inner peace and stability. 

Trade Screen Time for Green Time

Today’s tech-driven world pulls us indoors and into screens, but our minds still crave the outdoors. Therefore, swapping even a small portion of that time for green time is essential. It can do wonders for physical and mental well-being. Just 20-30 minutes outdoors can offer a refreshing break from the nonstop buzz of digital life. You can complement your wellness journey with Care Supreme by Care Health Insurance, which covers the diverse needs of individuals and families, offering coverage for everyday wellness and unexpected health challenges. 

So get ready to experience nature’s joy with the protection you deserve!

Disclaimer: All plan features, benefits, coverage and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus and policy documents carefully.