From lowering stress to inspiring wonder, discover why time among the trees is good for your mind, body, and spirit.
Imagine – you’re walking through a forest of towering oaks and pines. Birds chirp, squirrels scurry, and leaves rustle, but no foreign sounds can be heard. You notice the light trickling through the canopy to the forest floor, and the different hues of green, gold, copper with pops of white, red, burgundy. A soft breeze brushes your cheek and you take a deep breath… How does it feel?
There’s something about a walk in the woods that instantly calms our souls. Many of us will instinctively seek out green spaces when life feels too overwhelming. When you stop to think about it, we are intimately connected to nature. The air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, is all provided by the natural world.
But often, our day-to-day routines pull us away from these instinctual experiences. Some have even become so dissociated from the outdoors that a walk in the woods can seem uneasy, even scary, and those emotions overtake the calming experience. The good news – we don’t need to seek out a far-off forest… even a walk through a local park, backyard, or botanical garden can reconnect us.
Nature as Nurturer
Even just 10 minutes of experiencing natural environments has positive emotional and physical impacts. If those 10 minutes here and 20 minutes there add up to 2 hours throughout the week, then you’ll fully access the benefits of nature. According to a 2020 study of 20,000 people conducted by the University of Exeter, a cumulative 2 hours is the minimum time folks need to spend in nature per week to experience its impact – happier mood, decreased stress, slowed blood pressure, improved immune response, and more.
But nature also nurtures us in ways that go beyond our physical health. Time outdoors strengthens our sense of connection — to the changing seasons, to the wildlife that shares these spaces, to the people we explore with, and even to ourselves. A walk through the woods often encourages conversation, sparks childhood memories, or simply offers a quiet moment to reflect.
In a world that often moves at a relentless pace, nature invites us to slow down, be present, and remember that we’re part of something much larger than ourselves. Perhaps that’s one of the greatest gifts a forest can offer… not just better health, but a renewed sense of belonging.
The Science Behind It
This connection with nature is more than just intuitive, it’s genetic and physiological. So how does nature create these physical benefits? Let’s look at some of the science:
- Many aspects are linked to natural light, especially in the morning:
- When light enters our eyes, it triggers our body to produce more serotonin – one of our best feel-good hormones.
- When absorbed by our skin, a chemical reaction converts a specific type of cholesterol into Vitamin D – an essential nutrient for our heart, bones, muscles, blood pressure, and immune responses.
- Microorganisms from plants, animals, soil, and more are breathed in and absorbed through our skin. They add diversity to our gut biome, improving digestion and positively impacting our immune system.
- Plants release chemicals to help protect themselves from harmful insects and fungi – these have antibacterial and antifungal properties that we can benefit from too.
- The Biophilia Hypothesis postulates that the human search for connection with nature can be backed by an innate, genetic tendency. Biophilia literally translates to “love of life”.
Slow Down & Wonder
Like the slow movements of clouds, a leaf falling to the ground, water trickling over a rock, nature implores us to slow down. In this slow-down, we can reinvigorate our sense of wonder – the feelings of surprise, admiration, awe… that leave us craving to learn more. With Woodland Wonders presented by Selner Shrub & Tree Care, a spoon is transformed into a bird on Harmony in the Branches by SK Scrap Art. Willow branches are woven together and take new shape in the Chickadee Nest and The Garden Queen by Wildside Tree Farm. Tractor gears become owl eyes as part of The Wise Watcher in the Pines by Jon Goodlet Creates. A whole new world is created on a one-foot log now known as Bears and Friends by Ben Buschke Carving.
Nature is filled with novel sights and sounds that pique our wonder. Bring art and nature together and this wonder soars…and so do the benefits. Wonder itself reduces stress, decreases loneliness, and activates reward centers in the brain.
Bringing the Forest Home
Whether it’s a weekend hike through a state park, a quiet stroll through your neighborhood, or an afternoon exploring Woodland Wonders, nature has a remarkable way of helping us reconnect with the world around us. While researchers continue to uncover the science behind these benefits, many of us have felt them all along: the steadying rhythm of birdsong, the peace found beneath a canopy of trees, or the joy of discovering something unexpected around the next bend.
This season, give yourself permission to slow down. Notice the changing colors, listen a little longer, and let your curiosity lead the way. You may leave with more than beautiful memories — you may leave feeling healthier, calmer, and reminded that sometimes all it takes is a little time among the trees to rediscover a sense of wonder.
