Connection with Nature

Discovering your Inherent Connection with Nature

Reconnecting with Nature´s Healing Benefits for the Mind, Body, and Soul

About the Practice

Resources

Benefits and Insights

About the Practice

Nature for Well-Being

This practice helps you to understand your inherent connection with nature, discover the many benefits that the natural world has on your well-being, and learn how to strengthen this connection, fostering a sense of affinity for and understanding of your relationship with the environment around you!

Do you feel connected to Nature?

Understand what it means to feel connected to the natural world around you, especially if you live in a city

Why foster a connection with Nature?

Increased sense of belonging, affinity with the natural world, and increased mental and physical health outcomes

How to strengthen your relationship with Nature

Small steps go a long way. Set a goal to do one thing each day that gets you outside and in contact with nature

Nature as a Teacher

The natural world teaches us about resilience, adaptability, and balance, meaning that a stronger connection with it helps us learn more about how we can grow ourselves

Benefits and Insights

Why does a Connection with Nature Matter?

Everyone has an inherent connection to nature. This connection matters because it nurtures our well-being, offering a space where we can find peace, clarity, and a deeper sense of belonging in such a fast-paced world.

Benefits of Nature for Well-Being

Improved Physical and Mental Health Outcomes

Exposure to Nature has been shown to lower stress levels, increase serotonin levels in the brain, improve mood, and inspire movement.

Happiness & Optimism

Reports show that being outside leaves you feeling more optimistic about the future and with greater reported levels of happiness

Heightened Sense of Belonging

Spending time in Nature encourages social connections and community engagement, key factors in enhancing psychological well-being. The awe of Nature can crate a deep sense of meaning and purpose within individuals.

Affinity with the Natural World

Owning your narrative can boost confidence and provide a sense of agency over how your experiences are interpreted.

Enhanced Creativity & Problem Solving

Nature has been shown to improve cognitive function, allowing our minds to rest and reset. This makes us more creative, be better problem-solvers, and stimulates curisoity and imagination.

Different Tips to Strengthen your Nature Connection

 

By Scott Borden, Faculty, IE University.

Maximize the Benefit

When you step outside, make the most of it by being fully present. Put your phone away to avoid distractions. Use all your senses—feel the air on your skin, listen to the sounds around you, and take deep breaths to soak in the fresh air. Look around and notice details you might usually miss, like the colors of the sky or the patterns in leaves. If possible, touch the grass, smell the flowers, or even taste the air. The more you engage with nature, the more refreshing and energizing your time outside will be.

Nature Over Screens

Reduce screen time so you can prioritize getting outside. Try the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to reduce eye strain and remind yourself to take a break. Avoid screens for at least 30 minutes after waking up and before bed to improve sleep and start and end your day more mindfully. Track your weekly screen time and set small goals to reduce it—use that extra time to step outside instead. The less time you spend glued to a screen, the more time you have to enjoy fresh air, movement, and real-world experiences!

Make it Fun

Make your time in nature enjoyable so you’ll want to do it more often! Bring a book and read under a tree, listen to or play music, or try a new outdoor activity like hiking, biking, or tossing a frisbee. If you enjoy being social, invite a friend for a walk or picnic. If you like quiet time, try journaling or sketching what you see. The key is to find activities that make you look forward to going outside—when it's fun, you’ll do it more!

 

By Bridget Hess, LLBBIR

Ackowledge the Natural Environment Around You

In a world where most of the population lives in urban spaces, it can feel impossible to connect with the natural world. A tip to combat such feelings is to acknowledge the natural environment that you actually do see and interact with. When the birds sing, a tree offers you shade, a flower catches your eye - make a point to stop and recognize the environment around you and express your gratitude for its presence. You will realize that there are much more pockets of nature in the city than you might think!

Reflect on How Nature Makes you Feel

Nature is the perfect setting to practice mindfulness. Too often, the beauty of nature is appreciated solely with the snap of a photo and seldom through reflection and introspection on how it makes our body, mind, and soul feel. Sitting outside and journaling about your surroundings and the way that they interact with your senses and spirit can be a powerful tool to connect with nature - whether this be in the park, in a plaza, or out your own window!

Choose Outside!

While it might be hard to make time to go on a hike, there are a plethora of choices in our daily lives where we can choose to be outside. The decision is yours. Choose to sit outside at a restaurant, exercise outdoors, or make social plans in an outdoor setting. The things we do everyday all have the potential to be augmented through our simple decision to do them outside, since this connection with nature has been scientifically proven to support our well-being.

Resources

Connection with Nature Resources

Get the Free Resource

  • Park List

  • Hike Information

  • Community Gardens

  • IE Clubs

From the Blog

Happiness Is Where Nature, Community, and Purpose Meet

By Lisa Bevill

Prioritizing well-being is a collective need. From urban design to social trust, research shows that happiness thrives when communities foster connection, purpose, and sustainability, writes Lisa Bevill.

Read More

Ancient Wisdom, Modern Healing: Mental Health Lessons from Indigenous Cultures

Indigenous perspectives on well-being emphasize a holistic balance between mind, body, spirit, and community, offering a stark contrast to Western views focused on material success and individualism. Practices such as connecting with nature, valuing Elders, and engaging in communal ceremonies highlight the importance of spiritual and emotional health. These teachings provide valuable insights into improving mental health by fostering deeper connections with each other and the natural world.

Read More

Happiness: Where Nature, Community, and Purpose Meet

As we approach March 20, International Day of Happiness, we have an opportunity to reflect on what happiness truly means and how cultivating practices that support holistic well-being can strengthen our communities. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011, this day recognizes that the pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human goal, inviting us to look beyond individual happiness to consider how our collective well-being shapes the world around us.

Read More

Check out our Agenda!

Check out our events

Contact Us

E:
P:

My Well-Being

Maria de Molina 31
Madrid, Mad, 28006