How Connecting With Nature Benefits Our Mental Health

Our connection with nature, how much we notice, appreciate, and engage with our natural surroundings, plays a crucial role in supporting good mental health and preventing emotional distress. Nature is essential for many, contributing to emotional, psychological, and physical well-being.

When we talk about the mental health benefits of nature, the term encompasses a broad range of environments. Nature isn't just about extensive forests or remote landscapes; it includes green spaces like parks and woodlands, blue spaces like rivers and beaches, and small urban areas like tree-lined streets or private gardens. Research has shown that even engaging with nature documentaries can benefit mental health. This means that the mental health advantages of nature are accessible to nearly everyone, no matter where they live.

This report highlights the compelling evidence of why and how our relationship with nature is vital for mental health. It also draws attention to the unequal access to nature’s benefits for specific groups and emphasizes the steps required to address this disparity.

The Role of Nature During the Pandemic

Our research at the Mental Health Foundation revealed that spending time outdoors was a critical factor in helping individuals cope with the stresses of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nearly half (45%) of people in the UK reported that visiting green spaces, like parks, helped them manage their stress during this difficult time.

Other studies support these findings, showing that connecting with and noticing nature is particularly important for wellbeing. This connection helps unlock the mental health benefits of nature, and understanding this connection can provide key insights on how to maximize these benefits.

The Importance of Quality Connection with Nature

Spending time in nature has long been recommended for improving physical and mental health. However, new evidence reveals that the quality of our relationship with nature plays a significant role in its positive impact on our wellbeing. Researchers refer to this quality relationship as “connectedness.”

Nature connectedness refers to the emotional attachment and closeness to the natural world. Activities that engage our senses, like listening to birdsong, touching tree bark, or planting flowers, help deepen this connection. Even reflecting on our favorite nature spots or writing poems about our experiences in nature can strengthen this bond, even if we’re not physically surrounded by nature.

People with a strong connection to nature tend to experience greater happiness and feel their lives are more meaningful. They also typically experience lower levels of depression and anxiety. Interestingly, individuals with high nature connectedness are more likely to engage in pro-environmental behaviors, such as recycling or buying seasonal food, which can further benefit both personal well-being and the environment.

The Benefits of "High Quality" Nature Spaces

“High-quality” nature spaces, such as high biodiversity and clean, serene landscapes, provide the most significant mental health benefits. Whether urban or rural, specific characteristics, such as abundant greenery, a variety of plant and animal life, and tranquil environments, are crucial for well-being. Cleanliness, such as the absence of litter, also plays a role – clean nature spaces are linked to lower rates of depression.

The Inequality of Access to Nature

While nature is everywhere, access to high-quality natural spaces is unequal across the population. People living in deprived communities are often least likely to have easy access to such spaces. Our research indicates that people in urban areas, particularly those without gardens and younger adults, may face barriers to engaging with nature as much as they’d like.

People with disabilities or health conditions often struggle to access natural spaces that are not designed with inclusion in mind. Furthermore, certain groups – such as women, younger people, disabled individuals, and people from ethnic minorities – may find nature spaces less accessible or enjoyable due to safety concerns, including the risk of physical harm, harassment, or discrimination.

This inequality has a compounded effect: these groups not only have less access to nature's mental health benefits but are also at greater risk for mental health issues. However, there are promising initiatives aimed at reducing this inequality. High-quality urban parks designed with accessibility in mind, green corridors along streets, and recreating natural habitats in urban areas can allow more people to connect with nature.

Moving Forward: Fostering a Connection with Everyday Nature

In conclusion, fostering a connection with "everyday" nature, those natural elements readily available close to home, can play a pivotal role in enhancing mental health and well-being. Our relationship with nature is essential for maintaining emotional balance, especially during stress. By ensuring access to high-quality natural spaces and encouraging more profound engagement with nature in simple, everyday ways, we can improve mental health, promote overall well-being, and build a more harmonious relationship with the natural world.