Reconnect and Recharge: The Healing Power of Spending Time in Nature

5 October 2025 Eva Pregerson

Published: 5 October 2025
By Eva Pregerson

A Breath of Fresh Air for the Mind and Body

In our fast-paced world, filled with notifications, deadlines, and endless responsibilities, we often forget the simplest path to well-being: spending time in nature. Whether it’s a short walk in the forest, a picnic in the park, or just sitting under a tree, nature has a unique ability to calm our minds and heal our bodies.

Even science agrees — spending time outdoors reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and boosts mood. It helps our nervous system find balance after long days of work or study. But beyond the data, there’s something deeply human about reconnecting with the earth that nurtures us.

The Health Benefits of Being in Nature

Nature isn’t just a pretty backdrop; it’s medicine. Here are a few key ways it supports our physical and mental health:

Reduces stress hormones and helps lower cortisol levels.
Improves focus and creativity, especially in children and teenagers.
Boosts the immune system through exposure to phytoncides — natural oils released by trees.
Encourages movement and better breathing, which improve heart and lung health.
Promotes mindfulness and gratitude, helping us feel more present.
Strengthens emotional connections with family and friends through shared experiences.

Even the simple act of hugging a tree can help. Trees release calming compounds into the air, and when we embrace them, we feel grounded, supported, and more at peace. That moment of stillness — of feeling your heartbeat against the quiet strength of nature — is deeply healing.

A Personal Moment in the Forest

Just this past weekend, we went for a two-hour walk in a nearby forest with a few teenagers from my family. At first, they complained, asking “When can we turn back?” , “Can we go home already?” and “How long do we have to walk for?” — still caught up in the week’s rush of school projects, EduPage notifications, homework, and talking with their friends on social media.

But 45 minutes into the walk, something shifted. I started hearing laughter. One of them asked the others, “What’s your superhero character’s name?” (teenagers!!) and suddenly, they were playing RPG (Role-Playing Game) — something I hadn’t seen them do in ages.

That simple walk, surrounded by trees and birdsongs, gave them space to breathe, imagine, and reconnect — not just with nature, but with themselves and each other.

Healing from the Inside Out

When we immerse ourselves in nature, our body enters a state of restoration. Fresh air fills the lungs, sunlight stimulates vitamin D, and our brains produce more serotonin — the “happy” hormone.

For children and teens, this is especially powerful. Time outdoors encourages curiosity, teamwork, and emotional regulation. For adults, it’s a reminder that we don’t always need to be “productive.” Sometimes, pausing is progress.

How Often Should We Connect with Nature?

Try to make time in nature a weekly ritual. Even 30 to 60 minutes in a park, forest, or garden can have lasting benefits. Turn off your phone, or better yet leave it behind. Listen to the rustle of leaves, and simply be.

Here’s what you and your family will gain:

Better sleep and calmer energy.
Improved mood and reduced anxiety.
More creativity and imagination.
Deeper family bonds through shared outdoor moments.
A stronger sense of connection — to yourself, others, and the planet.

Once a week, try to step away from screens and let nature work its quiet magic.

A Simple Challenge for You

This week, take one hour for yourself and your family. Leave behind the noise of the city, the endless messages, and the to-do lists. Go outside, breathe deeply, and notice the colors, the sounds, and the feeling of life all around you.

You may be surprised by what happens.