5 Mind-Blowing Benefits of Being Outside for Your Mental Health!

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Last updated on May 16th, 2025 at 03:53 pm

Do you love being outdoors? Then you’re in for a treat. It isn’t just good for your body, but there are benefits to being outside for better mental health.

After reading this post, I hope you’ll be more motivated to make time outdoors a health priority for not just your body but your mind.

Ready to learn more?

Let’s get started.

The mental health benefits of nature

Experiencing the benefits of being outside goes beyond just mental health, but your self-care journey as well.

According to Forest Holidays, being outside in nature for about 2-3 hours a week can significantly improve mental health.

Furthermore, one factor that contributes to this outcome includes implementing simple steps like breathing in the fresh air, as well, which can give your mental well-being a boost.

Why the benefits of being outside should be part of your mental health goals

We all can relate to how much life can come with its burdens and responsibilities. However, we don’t have to feel like we’re drowning all the time.

The good news is that, while we cannot escape our responsibilities, we can make tiny and straightforward efforts to improve our emotional health.

Going outdoors for mental well-being can be the perfect activity to do just that.

Soon, you’ll learn that the outer world can also add delight to your mind.

How does being outside improve mental health?

Based on my personal experience, I’ve noticed that spending a certain amount of time outside produces positive outcomes.

One of them is noticing how much calmer and joyful I have become.

So, it’s moments like these that made me realise that it’s truly not a coincidence that these benefits, being outside, enhanced my mental health.

Therefore, the purpose of being outside can be just the key you need to unlock mental wellness perks.

And the best part? It’s something you can easily start today.

The connection between mental wellness and the outdoors

A study was done to identify the link between being outside and the impact it could have on mental health.

In the study, the researchers recruited participants who were dealing with depression.

Therefore, they wanted to see if being outside could improve their mental health.

So, they were taken outside regularly to put this idea to the test.

And the result? Well, it turns out that the outdoors worked wonders because the participants experienced a decrease in depression symptoms.

Also, note that this was done daily, sort of like a free prescription.

Experiencing the advantages of being outside for mental health

Sometimes, everyday life and all its demands can feel like being a hamster on a wheel.

Well, I can certainly relate to this because when I have so much to do, I often feel drained.  Can you relate to that, too?

As a result, I notice that if I don’t handle this issue, this can lead to negative effects on my mental wellness.

As for me, when I started going outside, I felt the impact it had on my mental wellness. I felt less burnout (which, most times, is a process to recover from) and less anxiety.

As a result, I could go back to my tasks with a better mental space.

So, if you also would like to experience the same, check out these 5 awesome benefits of being outside for your mental health.

5 benefits of being outside for mental health you need today

If you’re curious about how this simple activity can boost your mental well-being, I’ve personally curated 5 benefits I have experienced.

I hope you feel encouraged to do the same thing for yourself.

1. Being outside can calm your mind

Do you ever feel like you will be exhausted from all that you must do?

Let that be a sign that you need a break. Being overloaded with too many duties can leave anyone feeling drained.

Therefore, you might need a simple intervention to help ease those responsibilities. Heading outdoors can be just what you need.

How?

Well, in my experience, being outside really helped calm me down while developing a new mindset.

So, instead of going in circles about what I must do, being outside encouraged a change of focus, leading to more calmness and a better mood.

2. Being outside can reduce your stress levels

It’s no secret that many of us are prone to experiencing heaps of stress.

Sometimes, even the simplest tasks can be a lot for us to handle.

And since stress seems to be as common as air in the modern world, it’s crucial to find ways to manage it.

Heading outside can be just the key you need to have in your stress-busting tool kit.

How so?

Going outside will allow you to be away from the source of stress. Additionally, you’ll be able to focus on more calming elements such as birds and beautiful flowers.

And hey, maybe you’ll be able to touch some grass too.

3. Going outside can encourage you to slow down

Nature’s therapy could be the perfect remedy to help you unwind.

When you are outside, you have space to hit the pause button.

This presents the perfect opportunity to unwind and take time out for yourself.

However, this will need a bit of discipline because it will take strength to not let your mind keep running back to your to-do list.

Going outside can be just what you need to pause, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

4. Spending time outside can help you connect with yourself

We all need to check in with ourselves from time to time.

Furthermore, the outside environment can provide a tranquil place to do just that.

So, you can use this time to be present with yourself. If you ask me, it’s the perfect time to be your own best friend and just check in.

While being outside, you’ll be able to spend time with yourself.

So, this may be the perfect time to sprinkle in some self-love while caring for your mind.

🌼You might also like: 3 Easy Tips to Boss Up Your Self-Care Routine at Work

 

5. Being outside can add to your happiness

Going out can heighten your sense of being in tune with nature around you.

You can make it a time to pause and admire the wonders of God’s creation. If you reside close to nature, take advantage of what’s available to you.

Little things can bring happiness.

From watching a bird fly to enjoying the sound of trees in the breeze. Take a moment to reconnect with the natural world.

Also, you can use this time to take your mind on a mini vacation.

To further improve this experience, add the following self-care tips to your time.

But keep in mind how nature can educate us to want to seek serenity during a stressful time.

 Self-care tips to improve the benefits of being outside for your mental health

Are you ready to get on board with wanting to experience these benefits?

Here are some quick self-care tips to help you get there. Remember that you can add some creativity to how you spend time outside.

a. Block out some time to spend outside of your schedule so you’ll have a reason to look forward to it.

b. Amplify your time outside by adding soothing activities such as sipping your favourite tea, tuning into an audiobook or book, and taking a nice walk.

These small pleasures can make all the difference in boosting your mental wellness as you enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.

c. Use this time to connect to God and your loved ones as well. This could be the perfect space you need to hear His voice clearly.

You could also spend some quiet time with your inner circle.

Conclusion

Heading outdoors can be just what we need to put our precious minds first. After all, we can experience the benefits of being outside for mental health in various ways.

From having the perfect space to gain clarity, to learning how to deal with stress effectively, and experiencing happiness in the simplicity of the outside environment.

I hope this serves as more motivation for you to prioritize your mental health uniquely.

Now I want to hear from you. How has spending time enjoying green therapy helped your mental health? Let me know in the comments.

If you found this post helpful, please share it on social media.

So, if you’re ready to add this to your self-care goals, start today.

Grab your free downloadable checklist below this post.

Until next time, please take care!