Why I Crave Nature Every Day — and the Science That Backs It Up

When I was a little girl, some of my happiest moments were walking with my dad. We’d go on circular walks around the Isle of Man - never “there and back” if we could help it. Often, we’d head towards the sea.

We’re lucky here. Within a small island we have hills, glens, beautiful coastline and quiet plantations. All those landscapes became my playground. I loved the hills, the sea, the winding paths through glens. Even then, without having the words for it, I knew that being in nature made me feel good.

Years later, after moving back to the island, that craving returned - especially during my recovery from burnout. I began to notice that nature wasn’t just “nice to have” in my life. It was essential.

The Checklist That Keeps Me Well

These days, I keep a simple checklist to help me feel balanced. Things like:

• Drinking three pints of water a day.
• Walking or running at least a mile.
• Limiting social media scrolling to under an hour.
• Putting my phone away after 9pm.
• Meditating (sometimes five minutes, sometimes half an hour).
• Getting three hugs a day.

But of all the things on my list, the one I crave most - the one that always lifts me when nothing else works - is nature.

Why Nature Works

The science backs this up. Research into “forest bathing” in Japan has shown that spending time among trees lowers stress hormones, reduces blood pressure, and boosts mood. Even short moments - 20 minutes outside - can improve wellbeing.

Nature helps us move out of “fight or flight” mode and into a calmer, more balanced state. Psychologists talk about “attention restoration theory,” which suggests that natural environments help our brains recover from the constant demands of screens and busy lives. It’s not just in our heads - nature literally resets us.

My Everyday Nature Rituals

• Parks and Glens: I’m lucky to live near Victorian parks filled with old trees and flowers. Wandering quietly among them always shifts my mood. Walking in the glens here has the same effect - like my own version of forest bathing.
• The Sea: Cold water swimming is something I’ve grown into. I paddle first, take my time, and then plunge in. There is nothing that makes me feel more alive. Even just standing by the shore, listening to the waves, helps me let go of spiralling thoughts.

Some people believe water helps us “wash away” negative energy. While the science is still emerging, research does show that being near water - whether a river, lake, or sea - reduces stress and increases feelings of calm. Marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols even coined the term “blue mind” to describe the meditative state we enter when we’re near water.

Coming Back to the Present

Not every day allows for a long walk or a sea swim. Life gets busy. But what I’ve learned is that even the smallest moments with nature - what I call micro-nature rituals - can make a real difference.

These are the little pauses that pull me out of racing thoughts and bring me back into the present moment. For me, that might look like:

• Standing barefoot on the grass
• Examining a leaf or flower for a moment of stillness.
• Looking up at the sky - even for 30 seconds - and noticing the colours and shapes of the clouds.
• Standing by a tree, resting my hand on the trunk, and feeling grounded.
• Listening closely to birdsong or the rustle of leaves, wherever I am.

They only take a minute or two, but they remind me that calm and clarity are always available - if I choose to pause and notice.

Final Thought

Nature is medicine. Whether it’s a woodland path, a city park, or the sea on a windy day, the outdoors offers us something no app or to-do list ever could: calm, clarity, and a reminder that we’re part of something bigger.

So the next time you feel stuck, drained, or overwhelmed, try it. Step outside. Touch the grass. Breathe the air. Watch the waves.

It may just be the reset you didn’t know you needed.

Not every day allows for a sea swim or a long walk. That’s why I created The Vitality Deck - with small, mindful practices (including ways to connect with nature) that can help you feel more present and alive, even on the busiest days.