5 ways nature boosts your well-being

Simple practices to reconnect with nature and stay more focused

That sounds impressive, doesn’t it? Yet doctors still rarely prescribe nature as a treatment for mental health issues or other illnesses. Nature is a truly significant contributor to well-being. The topic has been widely studied, and it is known, for example, that the more trees, vegetation, and bodies of water preserved in a residential area, the healthier the people living there tend to be.

The forest is a place where the boundary between life and death feels thinner. Everything feels a little magical. Even in a familiar forest, there’s always something new to discover. Worries fade, and problems start to seem smaller than before entering the forest — as if you gain some distance from them. Your ability to solve problems improves. So next time you encounter a problem you can’t solve, take a short walk in nature and then look at it again.

The forest speaks. It nourishes all the senses deeply. Spending time in nature helps restore attention, especially during mental fatigue, because the environment offers things that do not require constant focus. Nature gives the brain a break from the effort of concentrating, which is valuable in today’s overstimulating environment.

For children, the forest is the perfect place. It’s a safe environment to test their limits, explore, and learn. The mind calms and restlessness decreases. Especially for a child with ADHD, spending time in the forest several times a week clearly benefits everyday life.

I have designed a nature trail guide based on factual information, which I have used during guided nature activities. I recommend that everyone give it a try: stop at five different places in the forest, read the prompts in this post mindfully, and complete the tasks.

They may seem simple, but in reality, being aware and performing the exercises consciously has a huge impact. Even if you walk through the forest daily, consciously noticing certain things can further enhance the well-being benefits it provides. Save this post (three dots → “save”) and pull it up in the forest or any other nature spot.

So let’s get into it!

✔ 5 steps to get more benefits from nature

🍀 1. Nature restores

Did you know that just fifteen minutes in nature can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve your mood? Your ability to focus also improves as your attention naturally settles on your surroundings. You notice the wind moving through the trees, a bird flying overhead, or a squirrel climbing up a spruce.

The more often you spend time in nature, the more those visits support your mental and physical well-being in the long run.

Look around you and let your gaze move naturally across the landscape. Quietly name the things you see in your mind: tree, leaf, fungus, lichen, moss…

A mindful gaze helps calm the mind and brings you into the present moment. Even anxious thoughts begin to ease.

👣 2. Mindful walking

Walking on uneven ground improves balance, and just fifteen minutes barefoot can enhance working memory.
A winding path stimulates the mind and boosts creativity.
Walking in nature activates the brain in ways that make finding solutions easier.
Moving in nature combines the benefits of both nature and physical activity, making it exceptionally beneficial.

Walk in a way that makes you aware of the ground beneath your feet — its shapes, roots, the soft and firmer spots.
How does it feel to walk? How does the earth feel beneath your feet?

🦠 3. Immunity from nature

The human body needs diverse microbial exposure to develop a strong immune system.
The skin, mucous membranes, and gut regularly need contact with beneficial microbes that the forest naturally provides.

Breathe in slowly, breathe out slowly.
Hold your breath for a moment, then exhale the negative thoughts.
Notice how each inhalation fills you with fresh air, and each exhalation releases what you no longer need.

Take in the scent of tree bark or fallen leaves.
This way, you expose yourself to beneficial microbes and strengthen your immune system — just in time for the flu season!

💧 4. Water calms

The water element has been shown to boost mood and self-esteem. Being near water helps ease restlessness, irritability, anxiety, and tension. The sound of water is also a powerful enhancer of well-being. Find a river, rapids, stream, or pond for this exercise.

Listen. What does the water sound like? Does it babble briskly, murmur calmly, or lap gently? Close your eyes and let your own thoughts describe voices, as if you were composing a poem about it in your mind.

You can also do this exercise while observing a body of water, creating a poem in your mind about what it looks like.

🔍 5. Nature details

The forest is a constantly changing treasure trove. Vegetation, trees, and fungi create shifting patterns of light, shadow, and color. Nature never stands still — changes happen continuously. The forest is a journey into the new: the old dies, the new is born. Nutrients are absorbed, broken down, and returned to the cycle.

Observing these changes is a delight. Visit the same tree stump every time you go to the forest. You might witness a fungus emerging seemingly from nowhere, reaching full bloom, then withering, decaying, and eventually being washed back into the moss by the rain.

Crouch down, explore the moss, roots, and small plants. Discover details you haven’t noticed before – and let the forest awaken your senses.
What does the surface of the moss look like up close? Can you notice slight differences between mosses? Do you see tiny lichens you wouldn’t have spotted from afar?
Or do you even spot a slime mold – for example, little orange balls or bright yellow goo. Can you spot the beginnings of bracket fungi or other members of the fungal kingdom?

I’d love to hear how this felt and whether you learned anything new. What kind of well-being have you noticed nature gives you? ♡