The Importance of Maintaining Our Connection with Nature

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Stress, chronic fatigue, overstimulation, and disengagement have become part of everyday life for many adults. When chaos takes over our quiet moments, the impact on both our physical and mental health can be significant.

Taking the time to slow down and enjoy a moment of peace has almost become a luxury—especially for those living in cities, where green spaces are becoming increasingly scarce. But how important is it, really, to reconnect with nature?

The answer is simple: immensely. From improving our mindset to directly influencing certain hormones in the body, spending time in natural environments offers a wide range of health benefits.

Today, the positive effects of nature on our health are well known. Despite this growing awareness, the greatest challenge remains adopting lifestyle habits that allow us to bring more nature into our daily lives.

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BESIDE offers three simple ways to add more green to your everyday life.

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1. Start or End Your Day Outdoors

Five to fifteen minutes is enough! Whether it’s enjoying your coffee on the balcony, taking a walk around the neighborhood, or simply sitting on a park bench, spending time outside helps ground us in a moment of calm and presence.

Creating that first connection with nature helps us start the day feeling more refreshed, in a better mood, and more rested—or release the pressure before the calm of the evening.

2. Rethink Your Daily Commute

Instead of choosing the shortest route, choose the most beautiful one.Challenge yourself to carry two grocery bags home on foot, or walk between appointments...

You’re not adding a new activity, you’re transforming something that already exists. That’s the key to building habits that last.

3. Schedule “Distraction-Free” Moments

Being outside is good. Being outside without your phone is even better.

To truly feel connected to nature, we need to be there physically, but also mentally. A real challenge in a time when notifications never stop.

Walking, reading, sitting, observing, or simply being present are some of the best ways to appreciate the world around us.

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The scientific findings presented in this article are based on the Mental Health Awareness Week report, published by the Mental Health Foundation in London in 2021.

To explore their section dedicated to nature and mental health, click here.