Manchester Counselling Editorial Team
INTRODUCTION
THE SCIENCE BEHIND NATURE AND MOOD
The link between nature and improved mental health is well established. Research cited by Natural England shows that contact with nature is associated with reduced stress, better mood, and greater life satisfaction.
One major UK-based study found that people who spent at least two hours per week in nature reported significantly better health and wellbeing than those who didn’t, regardless of income, occupation, or location (White et al., 2019).
Natural environments appear to lower cortisol (the stress hormone), improve heart rate variability, and boost attention and cognitive restoration. In short: being in nature helps our bodies and brains recover from modern life.
WHY GREEN AND BLUE SPACES MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Not all outdoor environments have the same effect. The biggest mental health benefits are often seen in so-called "green spaces" (parks, woodlands, fields) and "blue spaces" (rivers, lakes, the sea).
According to the Mental Health Foundation, these environments promote:
Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression
Increased feelings of vitality and energy
Greater social connection and reduced loneliness
Importantly, the benefit comes not just from grand escapes but also from nearby parks, gardens, and riversides. What matters is regular exposure—those micro-moments of quiet that add up.
MAKING NATURE PART OF YOUR DAILY ROUTINE
You don’t need to become an outdoors enthusiast to benefit from nature. Even a few minutes a day can make a difference. Here are some gentle ways to build nature into daily life:
1. Morning sunlight Sit by a window or take a short walk in natural light. It supports your circadian rhythm and stabilises mood.
2. Lunch outdoors If you’re working, take your break in a nearby park—even ten minutes can help reset your nervous system.
3. Tune into your senses Next time you’re outside, focus on what you can hear, see, smell, or feel. Mindful attention to nature boosts its psychological effects.
4. Green your space Even indoor plants or nature imagery can offer small boosts to wellbeing, especially for those without easy outdoor access.
Regular contact—no matter how modest—has cumulative effects over time.
WHEN NATURE ALONE ISN’T ENOUGH
While nature can be a powerful support, it’s not a substitute for therapy or medical care when needed. If you’re experiencing persistent low mood, anxiety, or emotional distress, it’s important to seek professional help.
In therapy, nature can be a starting point for conversation: What helps you feel grounded? Where do you feel most like yourself? These questions can open doors to deeper healing.
According to the NHS, combining time outdoors with other wellbeing practices—like therapy, social support, and healthy habits—can offer the greatest mental health benefits.
You don’t have to choose one or the other. Think of nature as part of your emotional support system.
At Manchester Counselling, we understand the power of simple things—like a quiet walk or an open sky—to shift how you feel. But we also know that deeper struggles need more than fresh air.
If you’re feeling low, stuck, or overwhelmed, our therapist-matching service connects you with qualified professionals who can support you—online, by phone, or in person.
Whatever you're facing, you don’t have to do it alone. Sometimes healing starts with a step outside. Sometimes it starts with a conversation.
Natural England. (2021). Nature's positive impact on wellbeing
Mental Health Foundation. (2021). How connecting with nature benefits our mental health
nature and mental health UK
benefits of time outdoors
how green space helps anxiety
therapy for low mood Manchester
mindfulness in nature
green and blue spaces mental health
emotional benefits of nature
outdoor therapy support UK
natural ways to reduce stress
counselling and wellbeing Manchester
