Spending time in nature–casually referred to as “nature therapy”–has many positive mental health outcomes. Each year, new studies emerge highlighting how people can nurture their health by spending increased time in nature, getting exposure to sunlight, and bringing natural elements (like house plants) indoors.

If you have ever been stressed and found yourself feeling calmer after a walk outside, then you know from personal experience how nature can help reduce tension and lift your mood. Here is a brief glimpse into the ways that nature “therapy” is great for mental health for people of all ages.

Humans Are a Part of Nature: It Makes Sense That We Need It

While it is easy to feel–and be–disconnected from nature, people are a part of nature. Historically, most of human life was spent outdoors, which means that our brains and bodies are naturally adapted to life outside.

Humans shifted from hunter gatherer lifestyles, to agrarian systems with farming and more permanent settlements, and in more modern times, we spend time in office buildings, indoor shops, and the confines of apartments and houses.

From a “big picture” historic perspective, humans are used to a lot of time in nature, but modern humans now spend 90% of our time indoors. That is a sharp decrease from what we were accustomed to by design.

Eco-psychology studies the link between nature and health

People in cities that have little green space often deal with cognitive fatigue. This is where eco-psychology comes in: how can we design cities that center our basic need for nature?

Ecopsychology has helped people consider how to better design their homes, office spaces, backyards, and more, to be reflective of nature. Studying the link between nature and health has also helped reveal that plants and green space help reduce stress. Even spending some time in a backyard or “pocket park” can produce positive outcomes.

Children also need nature for overall, strong mental health

Bringing family or friends to a park is an easy way to be outside, get some movement, take a break from screens, and experience a mood boost. Many studies suggest that children with attention deficit disorders may experience reduced symptoms when they consistently spend more time in nature.

If you have a child in your life and you can consider a weekly trip to a regional or city park, a local school garden, or even a local, favorite tree, you are helping your child stay healthy on many levels. Kids often know how to explore nature and can remind adults too, when we forget or when it’s been a while.

Simply feeling connected to nature is good for children, teenagers, and adults.

Nature Therapy can Improve Quality of Life

Many types of therapy can help people realize big epiphanies like, “I want to have more energy in my life,” or “I want a job that allows me to spend my weekends in nature, with no need to check email.”

There is also an abundance of nature-based activities, from hiking to looking for rainbows after a good rain. Maybe make a list of three activities in nature you miss doing or that you are curious to try. Can you try one this week? Therapists can also help you set healthy lifestyle goals and spend more time in nature.

North American Mental Health Services has offices in Redding, Eureka, Fairfield, Monterey, Salinas, Red Bluff and Hollister to work with a therapist in person. Online therapy is available through HomePsych.

Simeon Jones, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with North American Mental Health Services, offers his latest thoughts in this article about gravity as it relates to life lessons.

“Something is comforting and intriguing about learning what keeps this universe together and what tears it apart,” Jones reflects.

At work, Jones specializes in working with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. When not working, he enjoys watching the Science Channel and making connections between science and life phenomena. Gravity is one of the scientific topics that intrigues Jones.

What Gravity Can Teach Us about Life

Throughout history, scientists have focused their curiosity on what forces govern matter and energy. Gravity interests Jones because of its related theories, such as how objects with more mass attract objects with less mass: the sun attracts the Earth and the other planets in our solar system, and the Earth attracts the moon.

“It takes immense energy to escape gravitational pull. This is called escape velocity,” Jones says.

Forces in life can have similar dynamics. The “mass” that is created in our lives, can create a type of gravitational pull that keeps us where we are.

“I moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to southern California for graduate school,” Jones shares. “I never thought that I would stay there for more than two years or so to get my degree.”

But after successful and meaningful therapy internships, he began to feel the various pulls to stay. “Promotions and added responsibility made it easy for me to go with the flow, and stay put. And then I met the love of my life. We got married and had two kids.”

Life’s gravity began making it harder for Jones to make changes. He also began recognizing a fear of failure and a lack of security that made it hard to reach escape velocity.

Finding Escape Velocity and Making Changes Happen

Jones wanted to leave his comfort zone and begin a private coaching business, but it seemed daunting. “The economy was in bad shape and the security of my current position made taking a chance hard to imagine.”

Here are three conclusions he made about reaching “escape velocity.”

The energy needed to break free from the gravity of your situation is immense. Be wise with how you direct that energy. For Jones, he found guidance by making lists, scheduling quiet time with a higher power, and making time with his wife and counselors. Consider asking yourself where you are putting energy toward something that does or does not help your goals.

Remember that it is a process. Change can be slow. Ask yourself questions like, “what about my current situation is serving the change I want to see? Who can support me?”

Trust in the process. The struggle you are experiencing can be the very thing that will make you valuable.

These three tips can help anyone who wants to make a change but does not know where to begin.

Find the Right Therapist For You

Therapists like Simeon Jones at North American Mental Health Services offer tangible ways to embrace life changes so you can continue living a balanced life.

If you or a loved one need help to manage life’s challenges, and you are interested in working with a therapist in Redding, Eureka, Fairfield, Monterey, Salinas, Red Bluff and Hollister or online therapist contact us.

Making a goal for a healthy lifestyle and making a plan to actualize your goals are two different matters. According to Forbes Health and OnePoll, 62% of people reported that improved physical and mental health was a top goal.

People often reach their goals when the goals are realistic and measurable. But what does tracking a goal entail? We hope this article offers helpful insight so that you can actualize a lifestyle you love.

Foster Healthy Habits: Create a System for Tracking Goals

According to the same survey, 52% of people setting goals use a resource to measure and track their health-related goals. Breaking a lofty goal into small, actionable steps is a great way to align the lifestyle you want with the lifestyle you have.

Many people express a goal to “exercise more.” Before creating a system to track that, make that goal more specific. What kind of exercise motivates you to move? During the day, what time are you most likely to exercise? Once refined, this same goal can be, “I want to run twice a week after work with my coworker, Ryan.”

The specific exercise is now measurable. Now you can create a simple spreadsheet, a post-workout note in Google Calendar, or even a handwritten note in a planner that tracks if you ran that week. It is also a specific goal, with the boost of an “accountability buddy” like Ryan who can help you stay on track with a shared goal.

There are apps available to help you reach any health-related goals. Sharing your goals with a therapist may help set a realistic plan, gain a sense of what blocks you from certain behaviors, and build actionable steps based on what motivates you.

We encourage residents in Redding, Eureka, Fairfield, Monterey, Salinas, Red Bluff and Hollister to request an appointment to work with a NAMHS therapist in person or inquire about our online therapy care.