Why Are We Drawn to Nature During Difficult Times?
By Melanie Ferster
Have you ever noticed that when life feels overwhelming, you might instinctively find yourself drawn outside?
A walk in the woods.
Sitting beside a lake.
Watching a sunset.
Digging in a garden.
Looking up at the mountains.
During difficult times, many people seek comfort in nature, even if they don’t fully understand why.
As a psychotherapist, I often notice that when clients are invited to imagine a safe or comforting place, many naturally describe a setting in nature. Some picture forests, lakes, mountains, or quiet meadows, framed in both the warm summer sun or the brisk winter cold. This observation became one of the inspirations behind my doctoral research that explores how survivors of childhood trauma may experience nature during times of emotional difficulty.
One explanation comes from Stress Reduction Theory, developed by environmental psychologist Roger Ulrich. This theory suggests that humans are biologically wired to respond positively to natural environments. Research has found that spending time in nature can reduce stress, improve mood, and support physiological recovery from challenging experiences. Natural settings may help shift the body away from a heightened stress response and toward a greater sense of calm and safety.
For many people, this experience is familiar. A simple walk through the forest or sitting beside the lake or a stream can create a noticeable sense of relief when life feels overwhelming.
Another explanation comes from Attention Restoration Theory, developed by Rachel and Stephen Kaplan. Modern life constantly demands our attention. Emails, schedules, responsibilities, notifications, and worries all require mental effort. Over time, this can lead to mental fatigue.
Nature offers something different.
Researchers describe nature as creating “soft fascination” or the gentle attention we give to watching clouds drift across the sky, listening to birdsong, or observing leaves move in the wind. Unlike many daily tasks, these experiences capture our attention effortlessly, allowing our minds an opportunity to rest and recover.
Nature Helps Us Feel Connected
Beyond reducing stress and restoring attention, many people describe a deeper experience when they spend time in nature. Research has found that nature can evoke feelings of awe, wonder, gratitude, and connection. Standing beneath a star-filled sky, walking among towering trees, or gazing across a mountain range can remind us that we are part of something larger than ourselves. These experiences can shift our perspective, helping us move beyond immediate worries and reconnect with a broader sense of meaning and belonging. It can help with emotional regulation and our ability to manage emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them.
While nature is not a replacement for therapy, relationships, or other forms of support, research suggests it may help create conditions that support emotional regulation by reducing physiological stress, lowering mental fatigue, increasing mindfulness and present-moment awareness, creating opportunities for reflection, and promoting feelings of connection and belonging.
For this reason, many therapists, researchers, and health professionals are increasingly interested in how time spent in nature might complement emotional wellness and recovery. Perhaps our connection to nature is not accidental. Perhaps it is one of the ways we reconnect with ourselves when life feels difficult, and to feel a sense of belonging with something greater than ourselves.