The Healing Power of Nature: Why Getting Outdoors Is Essential for Your Health
In today’s busy world, it’s easy to feel disconnected — from ourselves, our environment, and even our health. Whether you're facing ongoing stress, hormonal imbalances, or struggling with blood pressure, weight, or energy, spending time in nature can be a deeply supportive practice. It’s simple, free, and incredibly effective.
At Kat’s Natural Solution, we encourage a return to nature as a key part of your naturopathic lifestyle. Let’s explore how being outdoors supports your health in real, measurable ways.
Nature as Natural Stress Relief
Modern life keeps us glued to screens, schedules, and constant notifications. This overstimulation contributes to chronic stress, which is a root factor in many health issues including thyroid imbalance, weight gain, poor sleep, and lowered immunity.
Spending just 20-30 minutes in a natural setting (like a park, forest, or garden) has been shown to reduce cortisol levels (your stress hormone), lower heart rate, and improve mood.
Green environments also activate the parasympathetic nervous system — your body’s natural state of rest and recovery. This helps reduce symptoms of anxiety and mental fatigue.
Practical Tip: Take a walk in a local park after work, drink your morning tea outdoors, or sit quietly under a tree during lunch.
Nature and Heart Health
High blood pressure and poor circulation are common concerns in adults over 40. Spending time in nature has been linked to lower blood pressure, reduced inflammation, and better cardiovascular function.
Sunlight exposure also supports vitamin D production, which is essential for immune regulation and heart health. Light movement outdoors (walking, gardening, hiking) gently raises heart rate without overexertion, supporting circulation and energy without adding stress.
Practical Tip: Try short morning walks or weekend outings in nature reserves to combine movement, sunlight, and mental relaxation.
Weight Loss and Hormone Balance
Hormonal imbalances, especially involving the thyroid or adrenal glands, often contribute to weight retention, fatigue, and brain fog. Being in nature supports these systems in several ways:
Reduces cortisol, which can lead to stubborn belly fat
Supports better sleep (critical for hormone repair)
Encourages mindful movement and physical activity
Natural environments also reduce emotional eating by calming the nervous system and improving mood.
Practical Tip: Replace one indoor activity per day with an outdoor one. Walk instead of scroll. Garden instead of snack. Breathe deeply.
Nature and Digestive Health
Chronic stress affects your digestive system, leading to bloating, poor nutrient absorption, and gut inflammation. Time in nature has been shown to support digestion by reducing sympathetic nervous system activity (the fight-or-flight mode) and enhancing parasympathetic activity (rest-and-digest).
Being outdoors also encourages more movement and hydration, both essential for regular bowel function.
Practical Tip: Eat one meal a day outside if weather permits. Focus on the flavors, breathe between bites, and notice your surroundings.
Nature Enhances Mental Clarity and Focus
Mental fatigue and lack of concentration are often early signs of burnout. Nature immersion improves cognitive function, creativity, and mental clarity. This is especially important for individuals with thyroid or adrenal imbalances, where brain fog is common.
A concept called "attention restoration theory" suggests that natural settings give the brain a break from focused attention, allowing it to reset and recharge.
Practical Tip: Try "green breaks" — five to ten minutes of looking at greenery or stepping outside between tasks.
Nature Supports a Naturopathic Lifestyle
The naturopathic approach is holistic — treating the root cause and supporting the whole person. Nature perfectly aligns with this philosophy. It supports multiple systems simultaneously: your nervous system, immune response, digestive health, cardiovascular system, and emotional wellbeing.
And unlike medications or supplements, it doesn’t require a prescription.
Practical Tip: Pair your herbal remedies or treatment protocols with daily nature time for maximum benefit.
Final Thoughts: Start Small, Stay Consistent
You don’t need to climb mountains or camp in the wilderness. Simply stepping outside, even for a few minutes a day, can create meaningful shifts in your wellbeing.
Nature isn’t just a background to your life. It’s an active partner in your healing journey.
Start where you are, with what you have. A backyard, a balcony, a nearby tree-lined street — all of these are tools for your health.
Want to Learn More?
At Kat’s Natural Solution, we offer personalised naturopathic consultations that integrate lifestyle strategies with natural remedies to support you in every stage of your wellness journey.
Book a consultation today and let’s create a plan that works with your lifestyle.
References:
Hunter, M. R., Gillespie, B. W., & Chen, S. Y. (2019). Urban nature experiences reduce stress in the context of daily life based on salivary biomarkers. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 722.
Park, B. J., Tsunetsugu, Y., Kasetani, T., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2010). The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing): Evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 18-26.
Ulrich, R. S. (1984). View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science, 224(4647), 420-421.
Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective. Cambridge University Press.
Li, Q. (2010). Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 9-17.