Time in Nature

Being outside makes us feel good - but how much time do we need to receive the benefits of time outside? In The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Use Happier, Healthier, and More Creative by Florence Williams, Williams proposes a pyramid (see below) based on the finds of eco researchers in countries throughout the world.

I was unable to find the original image to give proper credit for the designer, but found this image on The Nature Conservancy in an article that provides further image beyond my blog post - feel free to check it out!

On the base of the pyramid is to attempt to access your local nature (a park, a walk in your neighborhood) for 30 minutes a day. The next level recommends you spend 2 hours a week in a less urban area of nature (a large park or somewhere in nature with less car and city noise). The next level recommends you access a truly outdoor area (state/national park or body of water with little to no city intrusion) for one weekend a month. And the final level recommends every year or every other year, you access a multi-day wilderness excursion (ie. camping).

It is thought that time in nature provides us with stress reduction and a place for our minds to relax. At almost all levels, time in nature provides this - from the grounding benefits we receive through our five senses, the sense of awe we experience in nature, to the ability to disconnect from all of our everyday stressors.

This is by no means prescriptive, but rather the culmination of many schools of thought around the world on how much accessing time outdoors can help our mental health. It is also not necessarily accessible for us to be able to access weekly/monthly/yearly large outdoor trips. In which case, attempting to prioritize those walks in the neighborhood or sitting in a local park, to increase your time experiencing the benefits of nature.

As always, take what is helpful and leave the rest. I hope you have the week you need.