Think about the last time you felt truly calm. Chances are you were outside, walking along the beach, sitting under a tree, or feeling the sun on your skin. There's a reason for that. Science is now confirming what traditional healing systems have long known: spending time in nature is one of the simplest, most accessible things we can do for our health.
We're spending more time indoors than ever
Modern life has moved inside. In fact, one large study of how people spend their days found we spend around 87% of our time indoors, plus another 6% in cars and other vehicles. That leaves very little time under the open sky.
Australia, with all its beaches and bush, isn't immune. Time use data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows the hours we spend on sport and outdoor activity have been slipping, while time in front of screens keeps climbing. And it starts young: a recent Royal Children's Hospital poll found fewer than half of Australian children play outdoors most days.
The magic number: 120 minutes a week
So how much nature do we actually need? When researchers at the University of Exeter asked nearly 20,000 people about their time in nature, they found a sweet spot: those who spent at least 120 minutes a week outdoors in natural spaces were far more likely to feel healthy and happy than those who spent none.
Even better, it doesn't matter how you get there. One long bushwalk or a few short visits to the park both count. That's just over 17 minutes a day.
Forest bathing: the Japanese art of slowing down
In 1982, Japan introduced a practice called shinrin-yoku, which translates beautifully as "forest bathing". It isn't hiking or exercise. It's simply being in a forest and taking it in slowly through all your senses: the scent of the trees, the sound of the leaves, the light filtering through the canopy.
It soon became part of preventive healthcare in Japan, and researchers became curious about why it felt so good. Dr Qing Li, one of the leading voices in forest bathing research, has found that time among the trees can help lower stress hormones, ease anxiety and lift mood and energy. He has also explored how phytoncides, the natural aromatic oils released by trees, may give our immune system a gentle boost. It's an exciting area of study that's still unfolding.
Try it yourself: leave your phone behind, walk slowly, and pause often. Touch the bark of a tree, breathe deeply, and notice five things you can hear.
Earthing: reconnecting with the ground beneath us
Earthing, also called grounding, is the practice of direct skin contact with the earth: walking barefoot on grass, sand or soil, or lying on the ground. Supporters believe this contact allows the body to connect with the earth's natural electrical charge.
Early research is promising. A 2012 review of the earthing studies so far pointed to potential benefits such as better sleep and less pain, although most studies have been small and more research is needed. Either way, the practice itself is gentle, free and deeply relaxing. Kicking off your shoes and feeling the grass underfoot is a lovely way to slow down, whatever the science eventually shows.
A long tradition of healing in nature
Turning to nature for healing is nothing new. Herbalism, Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine all grew from close observation of the natural world and our place within it. Long before modern studies, healers understood that fresh air, sunlight, plants and seasonal rhythms were essential to wellbeing. Science is simply catching up.
Simple ways to get your 120 minutes
- Take your morning coffee outside, even 10 minutes counts
- Walk or eat lunch in a park instead of at your desk
- Go barefoot on the grass or the beach on weekends
- Garden, whether that's a veggie patch or a few potted herbs
- Swap one indoor catch-up a week for a walk with a friend
- Bring nature in with indoor plants and open windows, for days you can't get out
Nature + connection: introducing Social Campground ποΈ
If you're craving more time outdoors and more connection, we have something special for you. Social Campground is our new community of weekend camps for women, presented with Health & Harmony.
Think school camp, reimagined: cabins, campfires, outdoor activities and plenty of time to slow down in nature, all with a group of like-minded women. Most come on their own, and everything is optional, so you can join in as much or as little as you like. It's the perfect way to get your 120 minutes, and then some.
Join the Social Campground waitlist β to be the first to hear when tickets open.
Want to meet other women heading to camp? Join our Social Campground community on Facebook, and follow along on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for camp news, behind-the-scenes moments and plenty of nostalgia.
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