Grounding- The cognitive, emotional, and spiritual benefits of Nature connection
Grounding- The cognitive, emotional, and spiritual benefits of Nature connection
Grounding - The cognitive, emotional, and spiritual benefits of Nature connection
by Lauren Radakovich
Have you ever noticed yourself feeling energized or more alert after a walk in nature? Or that your most vivid childhood memories take place in some natural area that was special to you or your family?
The benefits of spending time in nature go far beyond improving our physical health. Research conducted in hospitals, workplaces, urban and wilderness environments shows that these benefits can occur through direct contact with nature, indirect contact with nature (viewing images or videos, etc.) and even nature simulations (i.e. virtual reality). One study looking at recovery time for hospital patients revealed that patients with a view of trees or natural landscapes through their window had significantly lower levels of stress, needed less medication and shorter recovery time from surgery compared to patients with a view of a brick wall or other buildings.
Most of our days in the modern world require direct or voluntary attention in order to complete a task (i.e. empty the dishwasher, pick up the kids from school, do your taxes, etc.), forcing the brain to expend constant energy. Without opportunities to recharge and rest this daily workload can lead to cognitive fatigue or mental burnout. We also know that overtired brains don’t regulate emotions such as stress and anxiety as efficiently as rested brains. They are also more likely to exhibit mental health symptoms such as irritability, depression, rumination, and impulsivity.
However, when we spend time in nature, this “doing” part of the brain relaxes as we enter into involuntary attention while witnessing our surroundings and the “being” part of the brain can come online. This is the difference between solving a math problem vs. watching a sunset. We don’t try to fix or do anything when our brains are in “sunset mode”. We simply observe and notice the sunset’s beauty, giving our directed attention faculties of the brain the opportunity to rest and recharge, much like the restorative effects of an afternoon nap. And because the natural world is inherently intriguing to us, this process happens organically without effort. Studies have shown that “nature breaks” for the mind can help improve cognitive abilities such as focus, reaction time, overall memory recall, accurate responses, problem-solving skills, etc.
Tip: Consider advocating for more nature breaks at work—you might find productivity levels rising as a result! With a well-rested brain, time in nature can also help decrease our stress levels and induce positive feelings often including curiosity, wonder, awe, and a deeper sense of peace.
In fact, the practice of mindfulness is the modality that brings awareness to the present moment and opens the mind’s capacity to feel positive emotions. When we notice the ducks splashing in a pond or the drops of rain falling on nearby fern fronds our brain experiences a sense of natural attention and curiosity which are integral parts of mindfulness practice. Studies have long shown the benefits of mindfulness for our mental and emotional health, and mindfulness in nature is even more powerful because our brains are wired for it. We don’t have to try as hard to relax when we recognize our natural surroundings.
People also report a common theme of transpersonal experiences in nature, or experiences that connect a person to something beyond the material plane of human existence. When we observe something as beautiful in nature, we automatically come into contact with something greater than the self, the Creator of such beauty. The recognition that living things have always thrived—and continue to thrive—without human intervention expands our consciousness to include respect and reverence for non-human life. The result from such a relationship is a deeper experience of awe or pleasure that evokes feelings of harmony, humility, and connection. These spiritual experiences provide a source of comfort and feelings of belonging as we come face to face with the universal truth that all living beings are deeply interconnected through this planet’s great web of life. Witnessing the intricate and diverse life cycles and patterns of our non-human friends provides rich insight into our own internal experience and how we orient ourselves in relationship to our environment.
And who doesn’t want to feel more grounded in a world where we often feel so lost? The definition of grounding is a state of presence in which we feel oriented to our surroundings. Solid and strong “in place”. Whether you're trying to manage some feelings of anxiety or seeking a deeper sense of meaning in your life, connecting to nature provides cognitive, emotional, and spiritual benefits unlike any other relationship. Nature provides our ground. And based on the way our brains and bodies respond to nature, it becomes obvious that this relationship is an integral part of human well-being and can no longer be ignored as a pathway to healing much of what ails us in our modern world.
Ready to reconnect with the healing power of nature?
Discover how embracing your connection to the natural world can restore balance, improve well-being, and provide a pathway to healing.
Contact us today to begin your journey toward a more grounded, peaceful, and fulfilling life.
Written by:
Ecotherapist, Adult Psychotherapist, Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern