The Healing Power Outside: How Outdoor Activities Nurture Mental Health
We had a great time at the Barnside Harvest Festival this year! The live music drifting through the air, the smell of food and local drinks, and the artisan market bustling with neighbours were a reminder of how good it feels to be outside together, reconnecting with the community in a joyful, relaxed environment. Now, as September days bring crisp mornings and golden afternoons, it’s the perfect time to soak up the outdoors before the rain and cold set in. These moments are enjoyable, and they also play a powerful role in supporting our mental health.
Why Time Outdoors Helps the Mind
There’s a growing body of research showing that spending time in nature—especially when paired with physical activity—supports mental health in several concrete ways:
A 2024 study from Scientific Reports surveyed over 2,000 people in Australia and found that those who visited public green spaces more frequently had lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.
A systematic review comparing exercise in natural settings to indoor exercise showed that outdoor activities bring more vitality, greater drops in tension, more mental clarity, more energy, less depression, and increased enjoyment.
Harvard’s Chan School of Public Health reports that exposure to green spaces leads to better sleep, lower blood pressure, and a decreased risk of psychiatric disorders among both children and adults.
What Happens in Your Brain and Body
Here’s what science suggests is going on:
Attention Restoration: Natural environments help restore mental fatigue. The “soft fascination” of birdsong, rustling leaves, or flowing water gives the part of our brain that focuses on tasks a chance to rest.
Stress Reduction Pathway: Being outdoors—especially in natural settings—helps reduce physiological stress: lowering cortisol levels, improving heart rate variability, and lowering blood pressure.
Emotion Regulation and Mood Shifting: Natural spaces enhance positive emotions, reduce negative rumination (that cycle of repetitive, often anxious or sad thoughts), and increase feelings of well‐being and connection.
Making It Practical
Nature doesn’t ask for perfect fitness or special equipment. Just about any outdoor activity will improve your mental health, so pick something that works for your fitness level and geographical location. Here are a few suggestions, starting easy and gradually becoming more challenging:
Grounding Yourself: For a few minutes, sit or stand in a green space and focus on the sounds and sensations of your environment.
Stretching or Yoga: In your yard or local park, enjoy some fresh air and light physical movement while refocusing your mind, body, and spirit.
Gardening: If you need your outdoor time to be practical, try touching up your yard. Choose different tasks depending on how much you’re willing to exert yourself.
Walking or Cycling: Walking outdoors reduces depressive symptoms and anxiety far more effectively than indoor exercise.
Trail Hiking: Depending on the time of year, an adventure might be in order. Pick a nearby hiking trail, grab some friends or family, and do a day trip. Completing a hike also boosts self-esteem.
Team Sports: If you’re up for a real challenge, join a local outdoor sports team. That way, you’ll have regular physical activity, fun, and friends to share it with.
Why This Matters
It’s easy to retreat indoors as the season shifts. But continuing to spend time outside is one of the best ways to protect your mental health, especially through the darker, colder months. Even in winter, a walk in the fresh air or a moment in a green space can help ward off seasonal depression and keep your spirits strong. By making outdoor time a priority, you are both caring for yourself and creating a culture where mental wellness, connection, and nature go hand in hand.
Did you find this post helpful? We create posts like this to make B.C. a more mental-health-conscious place. We hope you’ll consider donating today so that we can keep improving our community’s mental health—together.