A Change of Season: Reconnecting With Nature and Ourselves
Floridians have a unique opportunity to reconnect with nature as the weather gets cooler, and it can be easy to take this for granted. To be fair, there are certainly negatives to living here: difficult summer weather, horrendous insects, a high cost of living, frustrating politics, and terrible drivers (and that’s coming from someone who grew up in New Jersey). But that’s not the point. The point is that as the weather begins to cool down and we transition into “Florida fall” over the next few weeks, we have one of the best opportunities of the year to spend more time in nature and give our nervous systems a chance to slow down and regulate.
Decades of research suggest that spending time outdoors can support both physical and mental well-being. For those interested in learning more, I’ll link a few resources at the bottom of this post. The overall idea is simple: spending time outdoors regularly, even just fifteen to twenty minutes a day, may support mood, reduce stress, improve sleep, and contribute to overall physical health.
I know it can sound unlikely that something as simple as spending time in nature could play such an important role in our well-being. But our modern environments often ask our brains and bodies to spend much of the day indoors, seated, and surrounded by screens. Connection to the world around us can make daily life more enjoyable, and it doesn’t have to be complicated.
If you’re looking for manageable ways to spend more time outdoors, here are a few ideas:
Sit outside while drinking your morning coffee.
Walk to the bus stop to pick up your child at the end of the school day rather than driving.
Sit outdoors or take a walk while talking with family or friends on the phone.
Step outside for a few minutes during your lunch break.
Socialize outdoors—suggest meeting friends at a park instead of your usual restaurant.
If you’re up for a challenge, start a garden!
And for those of us who simply feel too overwhelmed to change our schedules or add something new to the routine, consider taking baby steps. If you can’t get outdoors, try opening a window and taking a few moments to feel the fresh air.
Here in Central Florida, we have incredible access to beautiful natural spaces and state parks. Blue Spring State Park (where manatees gather during the cooler months), De Leon Springs State Park, Hontoon Island State Park, and Wekiwa Springs State Park are just a few examples. If you haven’t explored them yet, consider setting aside a day to do so.
Of course, there are many aspects of health, and we cannot pretend that a connection to nature is the end-all, be-all solution to our struggles. However, time spent outdoors can be a meaningful part of a broader wellness routine.
In my clinical work, I often see the benefits of a holistic approach to healing, one that allows medical and mental health support to work alongside self-care practices such as regular movement, quality time with supportive people, rest, and time spent in nature. When multiple areas of our lives are working together to support our well-being, we often have a stronger foundation from which to thrive.
The challenge I have for myself and for you this fall is to get outdoors and pay attention to how your body feels when you are not forcing yourself to be productive. Allow yourself to simply exist for a few moments. Take in the world around you. Notice what you see, hear, and feel. And, if you can, find a little beauty to admire along the way.
-Cara Salvati, LCSW
Sources for further reading:
