The benefits of nature on mood and well-being

It’s been great to start to see brighter mornings and lighter evenings, confirmation that spring is on the way.  For some people exposure to natural light can have a significant impact on mood and lack of light contributes to issues such as depression and seasonal affective disorder.  As the days get longer it also means we are more likely to be outside, Being out in nature is another way to improve mood.  For me a long country walk is always a reset.  So, what is it about spending time in nature that helps for so many of us?  Here’s a few ideas:

1)      Getting exercise- we all know that when we exercise there is the release of certain hormones (endorphins) that make us feel good. We are doing something that is good for the body at the same time, bonus!  There might also be a sense of achievement that comes with doing exercise which is also rewarding and means it is more likely we will do it again.

2)      Being mindful and in the present moment-being out in nature promotes mindfulness as there is always something new to observe though all your senses.  Whether it’s the wildlife you see, the beautiful seasonal colours or the wind in the trees.  An exercise I often do whilst out in nature is called five senses and is very simple.  Just notice 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can feel, 2 things you can smell and 1 thing you can taste.  You are noticing and observing though all your senses and being mindful in the present moment. 

3)      Getting fresh air-for me this always seems important but is there a scientific basis to this?  It appears there is.  In a review Van Den Berg (2005) found “solid” evidence of the benefit of fresh air ventilation on self-reported and medically diagnosed health issues.  Breathing is also an important tool in managing anxiety and other emotions and being out in nature may well promote deeper and more relaxed breathing too.

4)       Bird Song -A colleague of mine has recently researched this (Hammoud et al., 2022). There was a recent discussion in the Guardian if you would like to read more.  Bird and birdsong encounters improve mental health, study finds | Birds | The Guardian.  I was fascinated to hear more about how something so simple which we can access easily can have benefits on mood.  Essentially what they found was encounters with birdsong “boost” mood not only for people with depression but for all.  Since hearing about this I have been noticing the sounds of birds more, being more mindful and noticing the positive impact on my emotions.  The article also notes birdsong is also a sign of spring coming, a time for new beginnings so the perfect time to be more mindful of this day to day.

There are many simple things we can all do to improve out mood and manage our emotions day to day.  However sometimes it is more complex and it can be beneficial to talk to a health professional about how you are feeling.  Clinical psychologists provide evidence based treatments which can help with managing mood and emotions.  If you would like to find out more contact Dr Emma today.