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The Nature Fix

Writer's picture: Bethany Bertapelle, LMSWBethany Bertapelle, LMSW

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately…and see if I could not learn what it

had to teach” - Henry David Thoreau

Ahhhhhhh...
Ahhhhhhh...

One of my favorite things in the world is the look on my dog’s face when I ask her if she wants

to go for a walk in the park. Her eyes go wide and she jumps up and prances around happily.

Even though we go for a walk together every morning, she always has this same reaction. It

doesn’t matter what weather she finds as we step out the front door, it’s clear she is always

thrilled to be going out on another adventure.


While we humans might not have quite this reaction, especially when asked if we want to go for

a walk on a January day like today with an average temperature of 18 degrees Fahrenheit,

there is an abundance of scientific evidence that we need regular outings in nature just as much

as our canine companions do.


In the book The Nature Fix, Florence Williams presents a case for routinely spending time in

nature to improve mood, relaxation, cognitive abilities, and overall health. She interviews

researchers around the globe on the work they are doing to explore how spending time in

nature affects our brains and our whole bodies. From Japanese studies on "forest bathing" to

Finnish research on the impact of children spending most of the school day outdoors, it

becomes clear that regularly spending time in our natural environment is a human need.


So, what does a healthy dose of nature exposure look like?


First, let’s consider the "where". Many of the researchers Williams interviewed pointed out that

simply being outside is helpful but there is a difference between being outdoors surrounded by

buildings vs. being outdoors in a more natural environment. Being surrounded by trees, walking

along the edge of a river or lake, seeing plants and animals, or feeling earth instead of concrete

are all shown to provide more mental and physical benefits than being outside in an

environment with few natural elements.


A note: There are a lot of structural elements in modern life that separate us from nature, and it

should be acknowledged that not everyone has the same access to natural spaces. Many of the

studies noted above show that public parks are crucially important in promoting nature access

for all, especially for city dwellers and particularly for city dwellers who do not have the financial

resources to travel long distances. Continuing to fund and protect public parks and natural

spaces is crucially important to preserving our connection with nature and promoting access to

natural areas for all.


Secondly, the question I’m sure is on all our minds: How much nature exposure do I

need in order to get these benefits? Some studies show that spending even five minutes in a

natural environment produces measurable relaxation effects. Researchers in Finland showed

that spending five hours per month in nature improves mood (that’s only about 10 minutes/day!).


Take a moment right now to name the ways you currently spend time in nature. Which of these

do you enjoy most? How do you feel after doing this activity?


The next time you find yourself spending time outside, look for opportunities to consciously soak

in the natural elements surrounding you. This morning I worked on practicing this during my

chilly January walk with my dog. I noticed the number of walkers and runners who were also out

and about. I also noticed all the footprints, pawprints, and even some cross-country ski tracks in

the snow and marveled at how humans intuitively seek out time in nature, no matter how the

weather challenges our resolve. I took off my mittens (briefly) to feel the bark of a tree against

my palm. I paused by the edge of the Grand River to notice the flow of the water and little bits of

ice clinging onto the plants by the water’s edge (the river itself is not iced over today). I noticed

how my snowsuit-bundled body and my thoughts responded more positively to the cold as our

walk continued. I took a few deep inhales and exhales, savoring the taste and smell of the crisp

air. Practicing mindful awareness is a wonderful way of “turning up the color”, as I like to call it,

on your experience and focusing on the quality of your time in nature (rather than just the

quantity of minutes spent).


Some practical resources:

If you would like to start venturing out into different parks in your area, the free app AllTrails is a

great resource for finding local parks and trails, reading reviews and seeing pictures by others

so you know what to expect before you head out, and tracking your route just in case you get a

bit turned around on trails that have multiple branches (trust me, it’s a lifesaver!).


The Nature Fix is available through both the Grand Rapids Public Library and the Kent District

Library. KDL even has an audiobook version, which is perfect for listening while you take a walk

in your local park!


Be well and enjoy this beautiful natural world we call home!

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