Well, it’s that time of year again where I start reminiscing about the days when the air was crisp and I did not immediately start sweating when I walked outside. However, despite the humidity, I definitely appreciate the green.

This past semester, I took a class called NatureRx (a.k.a. Nature Prescribed). I think many of us intuitively know that nature is good for us, but we don’t often talk about why. In this class, we learned about various theories on why nature improves our well-being. BTW, I’m not talking about natural disasters in this blog, because those are very real, natural events that can cause irreparable damage. Here, I’m talking about “normal” nature, like trees, bees, and not-automobiles.

What Nature Does

• Nature reduces stress by calming the amygdala (the brain's stress center).

• Exposure to trees and grass helps people feel protected and secure, reducing anxiety.

• Patients recovering from surgery heal faster when they can see trees from their hospital windows.

• Aromatic compounds from trees (e.g., phytoncides, geosmin, pinenes) have anti-stress, antibacterial, antiviral, and calming effects, lowering cortisol and blood pressure.

• According to Attention Restoration Theory (ART), nature helps restore voluntary attention that's fatigued by urban or digital environments, boosting focus and creativity. This one was one of my favorite theories we talked about!

• Stress Reduction Theory (SRT) suggests that humans evolved to find nature calming, triggering ancient biological responses that promote relaxation and recovery.

• Spending even a (mindful) few minutes in nature a day can lead to improved mental health and overall well-being.

• Nature often means different things to different people. Nature can look like green forests, sandy dunes, beaches on the ocean, snow-covered landscapes, and more.

My Thoughts on Nature

I grew up going camping and hiking, kayaking and biking, and it wasn’t always to my liking. Nature can help calm you down for some of the reasons listed above, sure, but there’s bugs and sweat and dirt. It’s not always fun. 

Despite this, nature can still have positive effects. We might not think that we are feeling better, but experiencing nature can still decrease cortisol levels and improve our well-being (especially if we are consistent with getting outside).

Also, it’s super important to understand that nature isn’t just forests or the beach or only green areas. Nature is the flower growing through the sidewalk cracks, the little plant you keep on your windowsill, the community garden on the corner of city streets, the hundreds of dandelions on the side of the highway, and the trees that line a boulevard. We have little bits and pieces of well-being-improving nature around us almost all of the time.

Some of My Favorite Nature-y Spots in MN

Taylor’s Falls

Despite the name, there are no waterfalls (boooooo). The falls refer to the rapids in the St. Croix river, which still look pretty great (yaaaaaay). If you have a half day to spare, you can drive about an hour out from the Twin Cities and enjoy the bluffs.

Don’t fall! And definitely make some time to stop in the little town nearby for some after-hiking ice cream.

Carlos Avery State Wildlife Management Area

I grew up going to Carlos Avery around once a month (#IDoNotLikeMNWintersButAttachingASledToAJeepIsFun). It’s a lesser-known area for hiking, and there aren’t necessarily a ton of set trails, but you can definitely make your own way through the woods and in the fields. Be prepared for flies, though!

At under an hour drive, this place is perfect for getting out of the city without spending hours in the car. Also, you can see the stars here perfectly. If you don’t get spooked too easily, I HIGHLY recommend going to Carlos Avery for a night of stargazing.

Grand Marais

This one might have to be a planned trip, as it is about 4.5 hours away from the Twin Cities 😗 But it is definitely worth visiting! There’s a cute little town, and tons of hiking trails.

Fun fact: There is a camping spot that no longer exists (it’s too overgrown at this point) that I grew up visiting about once a year. When I was around seven or so, I found a butterfly that was too cold, so I made a little home for it out of leaves and sticks and carried it around with me during that weekend. I am convinced that it lived a long and happy life after we left <3

Why does touching grass (or being in nature) slow down time?

I’ve given some of the scientific reasons for why spending time in nature can potentially improve well-being. At the end of the day, though, I have a feeling that most of us simply enjoy the sun on our skin and the feel of water and the sound of crickets and the breeze against our face. I’m often on my computer, or stuck in traffic, or in a coffee shop doing work or chatting with friends. It’s not often (right now at least) that I am going outside on a hike or on a big trip, but I still try to spend a few moments noticing the birds in the morning or smelling the lilacs when I pass by. That’s where the idea that nature is a lot more than forests, jungles, beaches, and fields comes into play.

Nature slows down time by allowing our minds to wander and wonder. By going on a hike and noticing the birds, or going swimming and feeling the sand, or even just stepping outside while running errands and noticing a pretty tree or flower, our minds are allowed a brief respite from the day-to-day. Being outside allows us to spend a few moments in appreciation of natural beauty. This fleeting moment of noticing something that won’t necessarily be there again in the exact same way creates a new experience. Creating a new experience slows time down.

So, long story short, please kindly take yourself outside for a moment and notice the warmth when the sun hits your face or the coolness of a cloudy day. Don’t forget to dress for the weather, though 😊 

Then let me know what you thought by saying [email protected].

Next week’s blog will be about more of the well-being tips and tricks I picked up while being a college student (because I am graduating!!!!!!)