In a world that moves ever faster, nature offers a quiet remembering. Beneath the noise, notifications and never ending to do lists lies an older rhythm one your body still recognises. Nature connection is not a luxury or a passing trend, but a return to wholeness, a gentle homecoming to who we are beneath the surface of modern life. In this guest article, psychotherapist and ecotherapist, Dr. Adrian Harris, invites you to slow down, open your senses and rediscover the deep, restorative relationship that has always existed between you and the living world around you.
If nature connection came in a pill, you’d think it was a miracle drug. It can spark creativity, nurture happiness, reduce stress and boost compassion. And the best part? It’s free!
Nature connection is healing because of our instinctive affinity for nature, something E.O. Wilson called ‘biophilia’. Humans emerged about 300,000 years ago, and for 99.9 per cent of that time, we relied on intimate contact with nature. Urban life is just a thin veneer, and our need for nature goes deep. The research echoes what we already intuitively know: wholeness and healing come from returning to our natural selves. But amidst all the busyness and distractions of modern life, how can we renew our relationship with nature?
The Three Keys
Decades of studying, teaching and practice guided me to three simple keys to nature connection: slow down, get curious, and use all your senses. These ‘Three Keys’ form a symbiotic synergy, overlapping and mutually supporting one another.
Slow Down
Life can feel like a blur of tasks: emails, smartphone notifications, and that endless to-do list. Slowing down starts with your body; when you allow yourself to breathe more slowly, your mind will follow. So take a moment right now; close your eyes and take a deep breath. Sense into the ground beneath you and notice the gentle holding of gravity.
When you take a mindful moment in nature, the effect is amplified. Birdsong, rustling leaves, or a gently flowing stream offer what psychologists call “soft fascination” – a sensory caress that is both inviting and restorative. This soft fascination gently holds our attention and facilitates mindful awareness. Not only is mindfulness easier in nature, it also deepens nature connection, creating a beautiful cycle where each practice strengthens the other.
Get Curious
Being curious can reduce feelings of anxiety, and it’s an essential aspect of emotional intelligence. Curious people tend to be more open to new experiences and are socially engaged, which promotes richer connections and enhances adaptability.
Curiosity offers an inviting path to nature connection, encouraging exploration and interaction. It also nurtures empathy, prompting us to wonder about other people’s feelings and perspectives. This empathy can extend into our relationships with the other-than-human world. Try this: sit with your favourite tree and wonder how it experiences the world – the wind through its branches, the rain on its leaves, the deep-rooted interactions underground.
We’re curious creatures with an evolutionary drive to pursue novelty. Our ancestors got a dopamine boost from discovering a food source, meeting someone interesting or learning a new skill. The way social media feeds on this ancient response can lead to addictive behaviours, but real-life encounters offer something far more satisfying, so take your pick: social media ‘likes’ or a dopamine buzz from exploring your local park?
Use All Your Senses
How many senses do you have? The obvious answer is five, but neuroscientists recognize at least nine – including proprioception (body position) and interoception (internal body states). Not only do we have more senses than we think, but we also vastly underestimate their potential.
The American naturalist Henry Thoreau spent two years living alone in a woodland hut, and his senses became finely honed. He was able to see a water bug dimple the surface of a pool a quarter of a mile away. While I can’t promise that level of sensory acuity, the ‘Three Keys’ can open a doorway to a new world on your doorstep.
Reclaim Connection
Every animal evolved to live as part of a tight ecological weave, and humans are no different. We’ve forgotten that we’re part of the wider community, and the result is poor mental health and ecological breakdown. But this forgetting is recent, and every cell of your body remembers connection. Nature connection is your birthright – it’s time to reclaim it.
I facilitate workshops based on the ‘Three Keys’, and my book, Nature Connection: Remembering Wholeness, offers 60 exercises to guide your journey, many supported by video and audio guides. Whether you start in your garden, a local park, or further afield, the path to wholeness is waiting.
Find out more about Adrian Harris and his book here: https://natureconnection.org.uk/book/buy.htm