Nature and Mental Health: A Natural Connection

There’s strong evidence that spending time in nature benefits both our mental and physical health. “Nature” can mean many things: green spaces like parks, forests, or woodlands, and blue spaces such as rivers, lakes, wetlands, and beaches. It also includes more everyday sights—street trees, backyard gardens, indoor plants, or even a flower box on a windowsill. Remarkably, even watching nature documentaries can boost mental wellbeing.

This is great news because it means almost everyone—no matter where they live—can experience the mental health benefits of nature.

Here in the aptly named New River Valley, we’re lucky to be surrounded by natural beauty and easy access to the outdoors. Our region offers a wide variety of trails, parks, rivers, and community-supported outdoor spaces. Some of the many free, accessible spots include:

• Appalachian Trail

• Bisset Park and New River access

• Blue Ridge Parkway

• Buffalo Mountain Trail

• Cascades Trail*

• Claytor Dam Boat Ramp

• Heritage Park

• Huckleberry Park

• Huckleberry Trail

• Mill Creek Nature Park

• Brush Mountain Park

• New River Trail State Park

• Randolph Park

Spending time in nature can reduce stress, improve sleep, and boost overall wellbeing. Research shows it helps lower cortisol (a stress hormone), calms the nervous system, and provides a mental break from the constant stimulation of modern life. It can also sharpen focus and reduce mental fatigue—especially helpful for those struggling with concentration or screen overload. Natural light and outdoor activity can also improve your sleep-wake cycle and help you sleep better.

As we’ve highlighted in earlier posts, social connection is essential to wellbeing—and may be especially important for people in recovery from substance use disorders. Nature can help here too. Outdoor activities and community groups provide ways to connect with others while enjoying the benefits of fresh air and open spaces.

Even if you can’t get outside every day, just feeling connected to nature—watching a nature video, caring for a houseplant, or pausing to notice a tree—can support your mental health.

So get outside when you can. Whether it’s a solo walk, a group hike, or just sitting in a park, nature offers simple, often free, ways to support your wellbeing—and have a little fun, too.

Learn more:
APA: Nurtured by Nature
NIH: Nature and Mental Health Study