A recent study found that nearly half of UK adults now spend less than three hours a week in natural spaces like gardens, parks, fields, or woods. So, we asked our readers what being outdoors means to them.
The replies came flooding in—heartfelt and passionate. Some said they simply didn’t have the words to express how important it is.
“It’s my happy place, my therapy, and a reason to slow down and pause during my busy week,” wrote Hannah Powell from Perrywood garden centres. “I HAVE to look at plants every day. I notice every change in the garden. I sit facing the garden while I eat breakfast. I look out for nature on my way to work—recently spotting a little owl, red kites, foxes, hares, and more. It helped me recover when I had burnout and FND in London. I wouldn’t (couldn’t) be without it.”
David Lynch said about his love of being outside: “I feel more fully human, more like my whole self. My anxiety drops, all my worldly worries are put into perspective, and I feel younger.”
He agreed with others that there’s plenty of recent science explaining the health benefits, but added: “I also read about ancient Buddhist wisdom, which encourages spending time alone in nature. All sources point to the same truth: a better connection with nature brings greater self-awareness, a deeper sensitivity to the needs of our ecosystem, and stronger connections with each other.”
Isabel Romaniw, who is training to become a forest bathing guide, wrote passionately about the basic human need to be outside and connect with nature. “We are animals—an ordinary yet utterly remarkable part of the great, miraculous tapestry of life on Earth. We have shaped our world and influenced the fate of almost every other species we share it with. But we must remember that we are just a tiny chapter, maybe even a footnote, in the ongoing story of the universe. That’s how we can start to heal the damage and repair our relationships with ourselves, with each other, with our non-human kin, and with our one precious home.” For Romaniw, like many others, our disconnection from nature is closely tied to “the worsening physical, mental, and spiritual health crises we seem to be facing.”
Many of you shared wonderful memories of time spent outdoors. “I was a sickly, pale, shy, anxious kid,” wrote Mat Jordan. “In the early 70s, my parents couldn’t afford to take us to the seaside one year, so we went camping in the Peak District instead. It was a revelation. I absolutely loved it. The landscape and dry-stone walls of the White Peak are still a favourite, though I also spent some years in my 20s living in the Lake District. One of my favourite memories is driving out of Sheffield into the Peaks with my baby son to help him fall asleep, and still being awestruck by the beauty right on our doorstep.”
Gabrielle Kirby remembered being “three or four years old, stepping into long wet grass in open sandals: the wild camping spot near Fort William that we drove through the night to reach. We camped there regularly, in rain or clouds of midges, next to a fast-flowing stream where I got water in my wellies, spending hours messing about, building dams and harbours. Cycling around country lanes—falling off. Going into the woods and making dens. I spent a lot of time alone, but I wasn’t lonely.”
Clare Moss wrote about growing up near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, where she “would spend hours on my own exploring the vast commons: building dens, climbing the strange sandstone outcrops, and hiding away in the middle of nowhere with just a bottle of squash and a Marmite sandwich. It built a sense of independence and adventure that has stayed with me.”For some, these are fond childhood memories. Photograph: Rich Lewis/Getty Images
Another reader, a frontline worker during the pandemic who asked to remain anonymous, recalled her “first swim in Glen Faba [near Harlow in Essex] in summer 2020, when my usual swimming spots were still closed. A huge lake, wide open. I watched little grebes carrying their young on their backs and saw a heron swoop down to catch fish. After my swim, I dried off in the sunshine by the lake and enjoyed the peace. I cycled home and slept better that night than I had in months—my sleep had been poor because of the impact of working as a keyworker.”
The gratitude and humility our readers feel when they think about green spaces were clear. As Yve put it: “I believe nature and being outdoors are great healers. I became very ill with psychosis in my late 40s and had to stop working. It was being outside, gardening, and getting interested in birdwatching that eventually helped me come off my antidepressants and antipsychotic medication. Walking early in the morning, as close to dawn as I can, is calming and therapeutic, and it reduces any anxiety. Walking through woodland, moorland, or just along rural footpaths fills the senses with birdsong, smells, or simply observing the subtle daily changes of the seasons.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the topic Its a great healer why being outdoors in nature means so much to us
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What does nature is a great healer actually mean
It means that spending time outside in natural settingslike parks forests or beachescan improve your mental and physical health It helps reduce stress lift your mood and make you feel calmer
2 Do I need to go to a remote wilderness to get the benefits
No not at all Even a small city park a backyard garden or a treelined street can help The key is simply being outside and noticing the natural world around you
3 How long do I need to spend outside for it to help
Research suggests that just 2030 minutes a day can make a big difference Even a short walk in a green space can lower stress and improve your focus
4 What are the main benefits of being in nature
Reduces stress and anxiety Lowers cortisol
Boosts mood Increases feelings of happiness and calm
Improves focus Helps with mental fatigue and concentration
Better physical health Can lower blood pressure and improve sleep
5 Is it just about fresh air
Fresh air is part of it but its more than that Its also about the sights sounds and smells that help your brain relax
Intermediate Advanced Questions
6 Why does nature have a calming effect on our brains
Our modern busy lives cause directed attention fatigueour brains get tired from constant focus Nature engages our soft fascination where we pay attention easily without effort This allows our brains to rest and recover
7 Is there a scientific term for the health benefits of nature
Yes its often called Ecotherapy or Green Care The idea that humans have an innate biological need to connect with nature is called the Biophilia Hypothesis
8 Can being outside really help with serious conditions like depression or PTSD
It is not a replacement for professional medical care but it is a powerful complementary tool Studies show that nature walks can significantly reduce symptoms of depression
