Nature means regularly immersing ourselves in the living world. Walking through woodland, being beside the sea, gardening, watching wildlife, swimming outdoors, feeling the weather, or simply being somewhere quiet and natural. It gives us something modern life often removes: space, sensory richness, perspective and a feeling of belonging to something larger than ourselves. Nature isn’t somewhere we go to escape life. It is something we’re part of and reconnecting with it can help us feel more alive.
What does the evidence say?
The evidence increasingly suggests that contact with nature is not simply pleasurable; it can have measurable effects on health. A systematic review and meta-analysis covering 143 studies found associations between greater greenspace exposure and lower cortisol, heart rate and blood pressure, as well as better self-reported health. Another large meta-analysis found an association between greater surrounding greenness and lower all-cause mortality. More recent reviews continue to find beneficial associations with mental health and cognitive function.
How nature has woven itself into my life
Nature has never felt like a lifestyle accessory to me. It is where I feel most myself. The sea, the mountains, swimming, walking, cycling, running, watching wildlife, and simply being outdoors have become ways of experiencing life rather than things I do merely for exercise. I have found that being beside water, in woodland or on a quiet beach can change the quality of my attention, making me slower, more curious and more connected. My fascination with the natural world, from wild swimming and coastal exploration to mountains and the landscapes in between, has gradually become part of how I understand wellbeing itself. After a lifetime outdoors, I no longer see nature as an escape from real life. It’s where I’ve learned to challenge myself, recover, adapt, connect and, quite often, simply breathe and that’s what I want to share through Organic Adventure Coaching.
“And into the forest I go, to lose myself and find my soul”
Mariah Danu, 2014
Reconnect. Slow down. Wonder. Belong.