As you know, if you’ve been reading my blog for a while, I love nature and find a great deal of peace and contentment when I’m outside. The other day, I watched a hawk soaring, held aloft by unseen currents. It was a dance of majestic beauty. Its wingspan seemed to fill the sky as it glided from east to west.
After about ten minutes, the hawk disappeared. I noticed a calmness and peace in my core and it made my day feel……right, aligned, and centered.
That night, I hit up my “friend” ChatGPT and asked the question: Why does being in nature make us feel so good?
Here’s what I learned:
Nature calms the nervous system:
- Lower cortisol levels (less stress)
- Slower heart rate and deeper breathing
- More alpha brain waves, which help you feel calm and creative
It gives your senses a reset:
- Nature sounds and fresh air gently wake up your senses and help reduce mental fatigue
It helps you focus better:
- Attention Restoration Theory says our brains recover better when we’re around natural stimuli (like trees or birds), not screens and to-do lists.
- Biophilia Hypothesis says we’re hardwired to feel connected to nature, because it’s where we come from.
It reminds you the world is bigger than your problems:
- Feeling small in a big, beautiful world puts things in perspective.
- Nature moves at its own pace and reminds us of a world beyond urgency and stress.
It grounds you in the moment:
- Time in nature helps us feel more present, more connected, and more grateful for the simple things.
Who knew? And here I thought I was just watching a hawk fly around.
