The Science of Stillness: Reclaiming Mental Health in the Outdoors

Why touching grass is more powerful than you think it is

by Maia Simmons ★ august 4th, 2025

Photo Credit: Maia Simmons

As someone who’s usually laser-focused on school throughout the year, it’s not always easy to look up from my computer and take time to be outside. Between back-to-back assignments, screen-heavy study sessions and cold winters that keep me bundled up indoors, I often forget how good it feels to simply step into fresh air. 

I try to stay active, whether it’s going to the gym or playing sports, but it’s not quite the same as being immersed in nature. This summer, with fewer academic demands, I’ve had the chance to spend more time outdoors: walking along windy, tree-lined cottage roads, sitting quietly by the lake or just watching the sky change in the evenings. And I’ve realized something important: These moments aren’t just relaxing; they’re restorative. I feel clearer, calmer and more connected to myself.

Curious about why this shift felt so powerful, I started digging into the research. What I found affirmed what my body and brain already knew.

According to Attention Restoration Theory (ART), nature offers us what researchers call “soft fascination.” Stimuli like rustling leaves or waves gently hold our attention without overwhelming us. Unlike urban environments, which are filled with overstimulation and “hard fascination,” natural settings allow our minds to rest and recover (Pearson & Craig, 2014). 

And it’s not just a theory. Studies show that even brief exposure to nature — watching a video of a forest or hearing calming outdoor sounds — can improve focus and reduce stress (Pearson & Craig, 2014). That said, the benefits are even greater when we’re physically immersed in nature, which supports other ART concepts like “being away” from daily stressors.

More recent psychological research builds on these concepts, showing that time in nature improves mood, reduces anxiety and enhances empathy and cooperation (Weir, 2025). One experiment even found that students who looked at a green rooftop for just 40 seconds made significantly fewer errors on a demanding task than those who looked at a concrete rooftop instead (Weir, 2025). 

Even just feeling connected to nature, a concept known as nature relatedness, is enough to improve happiness and life satisfaction. When people see nature as part of who they are, they tend to feel more grounded — and more resilient. 

The Centering Power of Water 

While green spaces like fields and forests help our mental health, blue spaces like lakes, rivers and oceans may have an even stronger impact on wellbeing (Hunt, 2019).

At camp, much of my daily life revolves around the lake: swimming, relaxing and even eating meals by the dock. There’s something calming about water that’s hard to explain until you feel it. 

Studies show that coastal and aquatic environments consistently rank among the happiest places people experience (Hunt, 2019). Even brief, regular visits (just two hours a week) to blue spaces can lead to better mental health across all age groups and backgrounds. As researcher Catherine Kelly put it, going to the sea is often “synonymous with letting go” (Hunt, 2019). Whether it’s an ocean, a lake or even a fountain, water seems to quiet the noise inside us. 

What Nature Means to Others: Conversations from Camp 

After noticing how much better I felt (mentally and emotionally) just by spending more time outdoors this summer, I started to wonder if others at camp were experiencing the same shift. So, I asked around. 

I spoke with four fellow camp staff members — Zoe, Jonah, Emily and Ruby — who all spend most of their day outside. Here’s what they shared about how being immersed in nature has influenced their mood, focus and mindset.

Zoe Fingret (19, Canoe/Kayak Counselor)

“Being outside, especially near the lake or surrounded by animals, reminds me how small my daily stresses really are. At school, I’m stuck inside for hours, and it’s easy to spiral. But in nature, I can breathe. I’m also on my phone way less, which has been huge for my mental health. At camp, I feel like I’m finally living for myself instead of reacting to the next deadline or notification.”

Jonah Krupski (19, Head of Basketball)

“I’m just happier overall. Being outside every day, moving, being in the sun — I feel so much better. At school, my anxiety can take over because I start deprioritizing sleep, exercise and even eating. Here, I actually get to prioritize my mental health, and that makes all the difference.”

Emily Gilbert (19, Ski Specialist)

“Camp gives me a chance to reset. After exams, it’s easy to fall into a slump, but being outside — especially on the water — has completely lifted my mood. I use my time so much better here. I feel more connected to people and more present.”

Ruby (19, Swimming Counselor)

“There’s just something about being surrounded by forest and water that makes me feel at peace. In Montreal, I live downtown. It’s busy, loud [and] overwhelming. Here, things slow down. I feel like I’m coming back to myself.”

So… Is There a Link Between Mental Health and Outdoor Time? 

Absolutely. In today’s increasingly digital and urbanized world, we’re spending far less time outside than we used to. The World Health Organization has flagged rising rates of anxiety and depression among young people —and reduced time in natural environments is one of the contributing factors. 

Nature impacts more than just our mood. It improves memory, focus, creativity, emotional regulation and social connection. In contrast, prolonged indoor time can leave us overstimulated, isolated and mentally drained. 

This summer has reminded me that being outside isn’t a distraction from “real life.” It is real life. Nature isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. 

As I prepare to head back into another packed school year, I want to be more intentional about making space nature. Whether it's a walk between classes, studying under a tree or pausing to look up at the sky, I now understand that these small moments outside help me show up as a healthier more grounded version of myself. 

So, if you’re reading this, take it as your sign: touch some grass. Get outside. Watch the clouds, breathe fresh air or skip a stone. Maybe, just maybe, it’ll make you feel better too!

Edited by: Madison Sherman