There’s something undeniably grounding about the sound of waves crashing on the shore, the rustle of leaves underfoot, or the golden glow of late-afternoon sunlight streaming through the trees. Time slows down. Thoughts soften. And for a few precious moments, we remember what it feels like to simply be.
It turns out, that feeling isn’t just poetic—it’s backed by science.
Nature and Mental Health: What the Research Says
The relationship between nature and our emotional wellbeing has been well-studied, and the verdict is clear: spending time outside is good for the mind and soul. A 2019 study published in Scientific Reports found that just 120 minutes a week in nature—whether it's a park, forest, or coastline—was associated with significantly greater levels of health and wellbeing.
Other studies show that even brief periods in natural environments can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and decrease cortisol levels (our body’s primary stress hormone). In fact, one study from the University of Michigan found that a 20-minute nature experience significantly lowered cortisol—without needing to exercise or even do anything, other than just be outside.
Nature’s Mood-Boosting Magic
But it’s not just about stress relief. Nature also seems to enhance our mood, sharpen our focus, and soothe symptoms of anxiety and depression. Researchers at Stanford University discovered that walking in a natural setting (as opposed to an urban one) reduced rumination—the kind of repetitive, negative thinking associated with depression.
Think of it as nature whispering, "It’s okay. You’re safe. Let it go."
And while the physical beauty of a natural scene might seem like enough, there’s a deeper force at play too—something more profound and less expected: awe.
The Transformative Power of Awe
Awe is that goosebump-inducing, heart-expanding feeling we get when we witness something vast, beautiful, or beyond our understanding—a starry night sky, a towering redwood, a sweeping ocean view. And according to psychologists, this emotion has the power to shift our perspective in powerful ways.
In a 2015 study published in the journal Emotion, researchers found that experiencing awe can make us feel more present, more connected, and even more generous. Participants who reported feeling awe were also more likely to describe themselves as part of a greater whole, rather than isolated individuals.
For those of us who believe in a Creator, awe inspires us to get to know the creator better and to imitate his qualities in our own life. Awe also puts our own problems in perspective, nothing seems as big or daunting after spending meditative time in nature. For me personally, my favorite time for prayer is when I am out in nature. I liken it to going for a walk with God. In this calming environment I feel calm and open to sharing my deepest feelings and concerns with my heavenly father.
Nature, it seems, invites us to look up and out. To zoom out from the noise in our heads. To remember that we are part of something bigger—and that alone can be healing.
Staying Connected: Bringing Nature Into Daily Life
Of course, we can’t all retreat to the woods or live by the sea. Life gets busy. But there are ways to bring a sense of nature—and its calming, awe-inspiring energy—into our daily lives.
One beautiful, simple way is through nature-inspired jewelry. Whether it’s a pendant made from a real leaf, a ring showcasing a stone that is truly a piece of natural art , or a piece of sea glass smoothed by years of tides and time, these small, wearable reminders of the natural world help us stay grounded. They invite us to pause, breathe, and reconnect—even if just for a moment—with that deeper rhythm we know when we’re outdoors.
Because nature isn’t just a place. It’s a feeling. And sometimes, a tiny token of that feeling is all we need to carry a little more peace with us, wherever we go.
Ready to find your piece of nature to carry every day? Click here.
