Nature and Health: Benefits of Connecting to Nature for Adults

photo of tall city buildings, a river, and smog — Credit: barnabasvormwald, Pixabay

As our world becomes more digitized and urbanized, it may seem more challenging to choose to spend time outdoors. Yet, spending that time outside and connecting with nature on a deeper emotional level provides numerous proven benefits for our physical and mental health. Learning about our local environments can also provide a sense of place and belonging, while volunteering outside can be fulfilling and create community. So many great reasons to get outside!

What is the Problem?

Approximately 83 percent of Americans now live in urban areas (“U.S. Cities Factsheet.” Pub. No. CSS09-06.), and many adults spend around 90 percent of their time indoors (Klepeis NE, et.al., 2001). While living in an urban area offers some social and economic benefits, research shows that issues like noise and air pollution, traffic, overcrowding, and reduced physical activity negatively impact mental and physical health. Increased urbanization is associated with higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression (Prakash, Jyoti, et.al., 2023). Stress and sedentary lifestyles increase risk for chronic disease, which is the leading cause of death and debilitating health conditions. Furthermore, in 2022, 23.1 percent of adults experienced some form of mental illness (2022 NSDUH Annual National Report). Spending time in nature offers protective benefits against the negative impacts of stress (Jimenez MP, et.al., 2021), while being active outdoors offers additional physical health advantages.

How Can Nature Help?

photo of a tall tree with many peoples hands on the tree trunk — Credit: Shane Rounce, Unsplash

There is good news- connecting with nature can help! Connecting with nature is not a replacement for treatment and increased access to vital social and mental health services.

However, connecting with nature can offer an opportunity for decreased risk for chronic disease, improved memory and cognition, decreased stress, and support positive social connections. Here are a variety of benefits you may experience from connecting with nature.

Supports brain and mental health. Exposure to nature improves memory function, attention, and problem-solving5. Individuals living in urban areas close to green spaces have less mental distress and an increased sense of wellbeing (White, M. P., et. al., 2013).
Reduces stress response. Twenty minutes spent in nature reduces levels of cortisol (Hunter, MaryCarol R., et. al., 2019), a hormone that regulates inflammation, blood sugar, blood pressure, immunity, and how you respond to stress.
Increases physical activity. People who spend more time outdoors are more likely to engage in higher levels of health promoting physical activity, and spend less time sedentary (Beyer KMM, et. al., 2018). Engaging in physical activity in nature is linked to decreases in heart rate, cholesterol, and body-mass index (BMI), as well as mood improvements (Christiana RW, et. al., 2021).
Reduces risk for chronic disease. Increased physical activity and decreased stress associated with green space is linked to decreased risk for cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, along with decreased inflammation and improved immune function (Jimenez MP, et.al., 2021).
Decreases risk of social isolation. As we age, we are more at risk for social isolation and loneliness, which increases risk for cognitive decline, depression, and heart disease (Malani P, et. al., 2023). Being in nature with others provides an opportunity for meaningful social connections.

When You Can’t Go Outside

photo looking up at tree leaves with sky behind — Credit: Tom Allport, Unsplash

Nature can be found everywhere, from large national and state parks to backyards and street trees. If spending time outdoors is not accessible to you for any reason, you can still incorporate nature into your life indoors. Try the following tips.

Take a quiet moment to visualize a beautiful natural area. Really imagine every aspect as if you were actually there.
Include house plants to bring the benefits of viewing greenery and improving air quality indoors.
Set up windowsill or balcony container gardens with flowers or edible plants. Gain gardening skills and get hands-on with nature (and nutrition) from home.
Incorporate landscape images into your home decor.
Play soothing nature soundtracks for a calming, mindful moment.
Enjoy 100% natural essential oils. Naturally occurring phytochemicals, such as essential oils from trees, have shown positive effects on improving the human immune response (Li, Q., 2009).
Turn screen time into a nature moment! Enjoy select Sarasota County parks, preserves, and trails with the online Natural Areas Story Maps or watch a nature documentary.

Get Started!

man, woman, and child walking on a boardwalk in a natural area

Now that you know just how beneficial spending time in nature is for adults, you may have a couple questions. How much time in nature is enough? What should I do while outside to receive these benefits? Where can my family spend time in nature here in Sarasota County?

Learn more about how to get started with incorporating the health benefits of nature into your life here.