The Power of Nature
by Marion Hewitt | 14 Apr 2025
Spring is the perfect time to go outside, slow down, and reconnect with the natural world around us. By doing this we not only experience emotions like wonder, awe and gratitude, but also the many benefits to our wider mental and physical wellbeing. .
The Easter weekend gives many of us the opportunity for a break, and if we go outside, we see all the signs of Spring as the bulbs come into flower, the evenings get lighter, the temperature rises, and there is the promise of Summer ahead.
These elements combine to provide the perfect opportunity to get outside and experience the multiple benefits to our mental and physical wellbeing of nature.
Personally I love watching plants and bulbs in the garden emerging after the Winter with new growth, and when walking in the country noticing the vibrant colours as trees come into leaf.
Reduce Stress and Overthinking
Modern life is busy with multiple demands from many directions crowding in on us. In this we can often find it difficult to slow down and simply notice the world around us. However, when we step out into nature, whether this is a local park, a woodland path, or simply a quiet garden corner, something within us shifts and the pace slows.
Research confirms that time in nature reduces stress. It also boosts mood and reduces symptoms of depression. Just a short walk in a green space has been shown to lower cortisol levels and decrease mental tiredness.
Natural settings encourage gentle engagement that allows our minds to rest, it promotes mindfulness and reduces rumination. One study found that walking in nature reduced negative thought patterns.
When I am training, I often talk about the small actions we can take to simply ‘slow the world down’ for a few moments. Being outside and noticing our surroundings without the interruptions of a busy world is great for a recalibration of our emotions and reducing stress and anxiety. More than this, nature offers perspective, which I have written about recently. Looking out across a landscape or up at the sky can make our problems feel a little less pressing.
Experience Awe
Nature triggers the emotion of awe. That sense of wonderment at the beauty, scale, and complexity of nature. It might be a spectacular view, a dramatic cloud formation, a flock of birds flying over, or a single flower coming into bloom. These moments might seem small, but they have a powerful psychological impact.
Experiencing awe has been linked to greater emotional wellbeing, reduced inflammation, and even more prosocial behaviour. Awe has the power to slow us down, it draws us into the present and connects us to something larger than ourselves.
Gratitude for the Beauty of Nature
Time spent outdoors also tends to nurture the quieter, more reflective emotion of gratitude. However we are experiencing nature it encourages us to appreciate what we have. It might be as simple as the warmth of the sun, the freshness of the air, or the simple fact of being alive and experiencing the moment.
Gratitude, like awe, is more than just a nice feeling. It has real psychological benefits and has been shown to improve mood, increase resilience, and enhance sleep quality.
Be more Active
One of the most obvious benefits of going outdoors is movement. Nature makes exercise more like a joy even for those who don’t usually find it enjoyable. People tend to walk longer, feel better, and experience less perceived exertion when they’re active in green spaces compared to urban or indoor environments.
In terms of our physical health Spring sunshine provides a valuable source of vitamin D that is needed for bone health, our immune function and mood regulation. Regular outdoor activity supports cardiovascular health.
Physical activity in nature also boosts endorphins and supports cognitive function and just 20 minutes outside has been shown to improve attention and memory. Alongside this just 30 minutes of moderate level walking five times a week has been cited as the recommended minimum for overall health.
Make the Most of the Easter Break
Spring is more than just a season as psychologically it signals possibility, reawakening and growth.
If you can take a break over Easter, consider how you might experience the multiple benefits of nature. Perhaps commit to going outside each morning and noticing what you see, hear, and feel, or maybe go for a walk each day. Whatever works in your world, create and embrace opportunities to be outside.
To explore the range of workshops and webinars I deliver around all things wellbeing please get in touch. It would be great to chat!
Contact us for more information about how we can together increase individual and organisational wellbeing, or learn more about Unleashing You, our unique programme for personal growth, increased performance and wellbeing.
Call 07980 513646 or send us an email marionhewitt@proteasolutions.co.uk