There is nothing like nature and the positive effects it can have on our well-being. In a world full of electronics, busyness, and noise, we need nature now more than ever to give us peace and quiet, to destress, and to help us focus on the moment again. It is easy to get busy and forget to take a break and step outside, so here are some reasons why you should do just that today. Step outside. Enjoy the sunshine and the breeze, take in the beautiful scenery, notice the trees and the flowers and the animals, and let nature help you.

1. It Will Cure All Stress

Time and time again, no matter how stressed I may be, I have always found nature to be the best cure. There are many great ways to help you destress, a hot bath, yoga, a cup of tea, or music, but one of the most consistent and fastest ways to cure stress is going outside in nature for even just a few minutes. Go enjoy some flowers, or trees, a lake, or the ocean. Just walk or sit and relax and soon everything you were worrying about will disappear. You will forget why you were ever stressed or worried in the first place.

2. Nature Inspires

If you’re having trouble finding your creativity, take a break from your work and go outside. The longer you are out in nature the more the creative juices will begin to flow. Ideas will come to your mind and you will feel refreshed and ready to create anything.

3. Nature is peaceful

I grew up in a big family. There was always so much going on and it was often noisy in the house, so on warm summer nights my favorite thing to do was go out on the porch and look at the stars. It was quiet and peaceful and I could think clearly again. If you need peace and quiet, go to your favorite place outside. Whether it is day or night, rain or shine, nature is peaceful and will give you the quiet you need.

4. There is always something new to see

One of my favorite things about nature is, it is always different. Even in the same place, you will see new creatures you did not notice last time. The weather, the colors, the sights and sounds change from day to day and with the seasons. If you pay attention you will discover something new every day. No two moments in nature are alike, it is always new and exciting, making it that much more enjoyable.

5. Nature improves mood.

There is both psychological and biological evidence that being in nature improves our mood. Both the sensory stimulation and natural bacteria found in nature help raise levels of serotonin giving us a positive mood. I can attest to this from my own experience. I have gone outside when I was depressed, angry, sad, you name it and just after a few minutes of being in nature I found my mood improving. At times nature has left me in a state of bliss and contentment, a deep happiness that is hard to find anywhere else.

On the contrary, I have noticed in the long cold and dark winter months, when I am mostly inside for months on end, that my mood is deeply impacted in a negative way. I feel depressed, sad, and bored. I am sure there are many people who can relate to this.

I am convinced that the more time you spend in nature, the happier you will be.

6. Nature helps you focus on the moment

In our fast-paced media-driven culture, being able to shut off all the noise and focus on the present moment is becoming increasingly invaluable. It is so easy to become so busy and focused on all the drama in our daily lives and around the world that we begin to let the moments that we are in right now pass us by. We lose sight of what is around us right now because we are so busy focusing on everything else.

Nature causes you to take your mind off all the other things you are focusing on and to focus them right here in the moment by noticing the little things, the wind, the flowers, the smell of the fresh air, the trees, the ground below your feet. These are things you can enjoy right now in the moment. Nature engages all your senses drawing your mind to focus on the present moment.

By being in nature more and being aware of what is around us, we can be more present and aware in the other moments of our lives, like when we are eating dinner with our families or hanging out with friends.

For your well-being, get out in nature today and enjoy some sunshine and fresh air.