“Touching Grass” – why nature makes us feel better

How often do you find yourself feeling trapped in your problems, unable to escape the relentless stress of university, relationships and work?  Have you ever been told to go outside, do some deep breathing, get some fresh air and listen to the trees? Maybe someone’s patronisingly told you to go and ‘touch grass’, get some perspective on your problems and all in all, just calm down. Belittling as it might seem, there might be a ring of truth to this guidance, and as deadline season looms, there’s no time like the present to get outside.

When it comes down to stress, one thing that’s pretty certain is that spending too much time indoors is actively bad for us. Artificial environments have been found to be linked to elevated levels of cortisol and an increased likelihood of entering ‘fight or flight’. According to Dr. Alison Greenwood, founder of the charity ‘Dose of Nature’ that advocates for the use of nature to treat mental illness, this stress is often a product of association. Certain indoor environments (schools, libraries, offices) act as cues, unhappy reminders of previous stressful scenarios. Without knowing it, we’re inclined to be on edge – subconsciously dealing with the deadlines or exams of our past. In contrast to these constructed, man-made environments, Greenwood argues, the natural world allows us to feel at peace, activating the parasympathetic nervous system, and activating a sense of ease. 

Dr. Greenwood’s understanding is accompanied by the ‘Biophilia Hypothesis’, the belief that humans have a genetic, evolutionary pre-disposition to find beauty and connection with the natural world. Devised by American biologist Edward O. Wilson, the theory suggests that we have an inbuilt tendency to ‘focus on life and lifelike processes’, finding aesthetic pleasure and a sense of comfort through time spent in natural surroundings. Yoga classes and self-help books might get you some of the way, but Wilson’s theory suggests that the most efficient and effective stress reliever is right outside your door.

Research by the Max Planck Institute for Human Development has also testified to this effect, and studie

s of brain imaging found that there were tangible chemical changes occurring when people spent time outside. Time spent around nature, it seemed, led to an increase in grey matter in the pre-frontal cortex, the region of the brain associated with memory, concentration and mood – the three ingredients of a successful exam season. Who knew that taking a walk could do so much? 

For so many reasons, it’s worth going outside. Nature can help remind us how big the world is, and can support us through emotional hardships whether it be the ‘Sunday Scaries’, exam stress, or a fall out with a friend.  Student life is fast and busy, and we tend to get caught up in our problems, feeling like we cannot make sense of what is happening – it’s important to take the time to find some perspective. So I urge you, the next time you feel like your world is coming crashing down, take a walk to your local park and sit there for a while. Ground yourself, take a big breath, and reset. You might just find yourself feeling like the world is no longer ending and that your troubles are floating away.