Cultivating Connection: How Nature Nurtures Our Wellbeing
When life and work is busy, it's easy to feel disconnected, even from ourselves. At Goldcrest Training, through our Wellbeing Ambassador Programme (WAP), we explore the PEP model of wellbeing, focusing on the Physical, Emotional, and Psychological elements that contribute to our overall flourishing. Within the emotional sphere, a crucial aspect is connection – not just with other people and animals, but profoundly, with nature itself.
Emerging research highlights the undeniable link between our engagement with the natural world and our sense of wellbeing. It's more than just a pleasant walk; it's about fostering an intrinsic bond. As explored in MAPP Magazine, modern life has often distanced us from this innate need, contributing to increases in anxiety and depression. However, reconnecting can significantly boost mental health, creativity, and a sense of belonging.
Dr. Holli-Anne Passmore, a leading wellbeing researcher, emphasizes that even everyday interactions with nature can profoundly impact our sense of meaning, emotions, and overall life satisfaction. Her work suggests that simply noticing the nature around us – observing how it makes us feel – is a powerful pathway to improved wellbeing. This deeper "nature connectedness," distinct from mere time spent outdoors, can evoke feelings of awe, gratitude, and even a sense of transcendent connection to the world (MAPP Magazine, 2025). Studies on interventions like the "Noticing Nature Intervention" have shown tangible positive effects.
This understanding of nature's profound impact on our emotional and psychological state forms a vital part of a holistic wellbeing strategy. In the Wellbeing Ambassador Programme, we delve into how individuals and organisations can leverage these evidence-based approaches. By encouraging practices that foster connection with nature, we empower Wellbeing Ambassadors to guide their teams towards greater resilience, innovation, success, and engagement. It's about recognising that true thriving encompasses our relationship with the natural world, fostering a deeper sense of connection that nourishes us from the inside out.
The Restorative Power of Green Spaces: Beyond Connection
Beyond the emotional connection, nature offers profound cognitive benefits. The concept of 'ecopsychology' underscores the deep, innate link between humans and nature. A cornerstone of this understanding is Attention Restoration Theory (ART), proposed by Stephen Kaplan (1995). ART suggests that natural environments allow our minds to recover and refresh our cognitive capacities. Unlike demanding urban environments that require directed attention and can lead to mental fatigue, natural settings offer "soft fascination" – engaging our attention effortlessly, allowing our cognitive resources to replenish. This restorative effect can be invaluable for problem-solving and finding solutions, making it particularly relevant in contexts like coaching or demanding work environments.
Research further supports the benefits of "green exercise," which is any physical activity undertaken outdoors. A meta-analysis of ten studies revealed overall improved general mental health during 'green exercise'. Furthermore, studies have specifically compared the impact of walking in a natural green space versus an urban area, finding greater benefits on cognitive functioning from the former. A more recent meta-analysis acknowledges the comprehensive cognitive, physical, and psychological wellbeing benefits derived from interacting with nature. While some studies acknowledge the challenge in demonstrating a purely causal effect of nature on wellbeing, the consistent findings across various research avenues are compelling.
Nature's Role in Fostering Positive Emotions and Creativity
While not all studies explicitly highlight the role of positive emotions elicited by nature, Fredrickson (2009) specifically points to emotions like awe and serenity arising from natural experiences, such as sunsets. There's also a clear link between walking in nature and enhanced creativity , which aligns with Fredrickson's Broaden-and-Build Model (BBM). The BBM suggests that positive emotions broaden our attention, leading to increased creativity and the development of new 'thought-action repertoires'. This broadening of attention is particularly valuable during the exploratory stages of problem-solving and goal setting.
This understanding is critical for leaders. While some research differentiates between "approach-motivated positive affect" (which narrows attention for goal focus) and "low-approach motivated positive affect" (which broadens attention) , nature experiences, typically eliciting emotions like serenity and awe, fall into the latter category. These emotions are precisely what can foster the creativity and enhanced problem-solving abilities invaluable during various stages of strategic thinking and development.
Putting Nature into Practice for Workplace Wellbeing
The evidence is clear: connecting with nature offers substantial cognitive, physical, and psychological wellbeing benefits. For individuals, simply taking moments to step outside and actively notice the natural world – whether it's the sky, birdsong, or a nearby plant – can make a tangible difference to personal wellbeing.
For leaders: Your actions speak volumes. By consciously incorporating moments of nature connection into your own routine, you powerfully role model a key aspect of wellbeing for your team. Furthermore, understanding the restorative and creativity-boosting effects of nature can inform your organisational wellbeing strategies. Learn how to strategically embed these and other vital wellbeing practices within your organisation through our Wellbeing Ambassador Programme for Leaders, designed to equip you with the tools to create enduring strategies for a truly thriving workplace.
If you’re interested in training your leaders and managers as Wellbeing Ambassadors, get in touch: Book a Call
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