“It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men’s hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.
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What defines spending time in nature?
As you started this module, you probably aske yourself how much time you need to spend in nature to get the benefits it can offer. Do you need to spend weeks deep in the forest wrestling bears, turn your home into a jungle of plants, or only eat foraged walnuts and berries? Fortunately for you, drastic life changes aren’t necessary to experience the amazing psychological well-being benefits of connecting with nature. In fact, studies have demonstrated that as little as five minutes in nature or a natural environment are enough to start receiving its nurturing benefits.
For this module, we define nature as “anywhere where human beings experience meaningful kinship with other species,” a definition originally coined by the author and conservationist Richard Louv who wrote both Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle. This definition enables connection with nature to be as simple as tending a houseplant or as grand as trekking the Pacific Crest Trail. While the benefits of various types of interaction with nature may differ, the outdoor activity that you choose to participate in should be based on what is possible in your individual context: choose an activity that is meaningful, interesting, and available in a biosphere near you.