The Importance of Nature for Our Wellbeing

Felicity Botterill
May 14
3 min read

Updated: May 28

Engaging with Nature for Balance

In this week's journaling prompt, we encouraged you to connect with the natural world. Stepping outside and engaging your senses helps nurture presence and emotional balance. This suggestion is supported by a growing body of evidence that emphasizes the mental health benefits of spending time in nature.

Spending time in natural environments helps to:

Reduce stress and anxiety: Nature supports nervous system regulation, lowers cortisol levels, and invites calm.
Improve mood: Green spaces are linked to lower levels of depression and increased happiness.
Restore mental clarity: Nature enhances focus, creativity, and cognitive ease.
Foster a sense of belonging: Being outdoors reminds us we are part of a larger, interconnected world.

Nature provides a space where we don’t have to perform or produce; it allows us simply to be. This stillness is profoundly nourishing, especially for those caring for others or experiencing emotional overwhelm.

Simple Ways to Reconnect with Nature as an Adult

To support children in forming a connection to the natural world, we must first nurture our own. Here are some quick, grounding activities that enhance adult wellbeing and mental clarity:

Sit under a tree and observe the light filtering through the leaves.
Walk barefoot on grass or soil to reconnect with grounding sensations.
Harvest herbs or pick flowers; notice the details of scent, texture, and color.
Water or tend to a plant, even if it’s just one on a windowsill.
Dedicate 2–5 minutes to outdoor mindfulness: focus on your breath while tuning into birdsong or the rustling leaves.

These micro-practices are simple yet powerful. After trying one, pause to reflect. How has your mood shifted? What impact did the time spent outdoors have on your thoughts or feelings? Regular moments like these can anchor emotional resilience.

Dandelions: A Gateway to Nature for Children

Once you begin to notice the calming effect of nature in your life, you can share this experience with your children. A charming starting point is the dandelion, a plant rich in beauty, movement, and meaning.

A Breath of Calm

Dandelions are perfect for introducing mindful breathing. Their delicate seed heads easily capture a child’s attention. This encourages a pause in activity and an opportunity to focus inward. The gentle act of blowing the seeds fosters deep, intentional breathing, helping children to become aware of their breath in a light-hearted and safe way.

Invite your child to:

Pick a dandelion puff.
Take a deep breath in through the nose.
Blow gently to send the seeds into the air.

This turns a simple moment into a visual, grounding practice that supports emotional regulation and calm.

Cultivating Mindful Curiosity

Dandelions also present wonderful opportunities to nurture curiosity and sensory awareness. Their bright colors, soft textures, and transformative life cycle offer a rich sensory experience that invites children to observe, question, and engage with the world around them.

Explore together:

"How does the dandelion change as it grows?"
"Where do you think the seeds will land?"
"What can we learn from how it grows anywhere, even in cracks in the pavement?"

These conversations develop observation, imagination, and a respectful relationship with the environment.

Moments of Emotional Connection

Nature-based play creates space for emotional connection and gentle dialogue. When children engage in the natural world, they often feel more at ease and emotionally available. These moments of shared exploration provide ideal conditions for parents and caregivers to check in, listen, and foster trust. Start a conversation with:

"If you could make a wish and blow it with these seeds, what would it be?"
"When do you feel as calm as you do right now?"

Such questions build trust and deepen parent-child relationships through simple, meaningful interaction.

The Lasting Impact of Small Moments

The smallest moments - like a shared breath, a simple question, or scattering dandelion seeds - can become the foundation for lasting emotional wellbeing. Whether journaling in solitude or blowing dandelions with your child, these acts of presence nurture both self-awareness and connection.

In conclusion, taking time to connect with nature is not only beneficial for adults but also essential for children. Engaging in natural experiences strengthens our emotional health and creates lasting bonds between parents and children.

Embrace the beauty around you and consider how simple moments in nature can have a profound impact on your wellbeing. As you explore these options, remember that the opportunity to cultivate joy exists in each breeze, each leaf, and each dandelion seed blown into the air.