Why You Should Add, Follow, and Subscribe to Mother Earth
We spend so much time plugged into our screens that we often forget the original “feed”—the one filled with birds, trickling water, and fresh air. We wake up to notifications, fill our days with breaking news and viral trends, and end our nights staring at screens. This has become the hard and fast reality for many of us. But what if the best “content” for our well-being isn’t online at all? What if the most important connection we can cultivate is with the world outside our windows?
Science is clear: nature is essential for our mental health. Studies show that spending time outdoors reduces stress, lowers anxiety, and improves focus. Even short moments in green spaces can decrease stress levels, while boosting mood and creativity. Yet, the average person spends over seven hours a day looking at screens. In this day in age, having the access to time outdoors can feel burdensome, for the privileged, and not realistic. In other words, our lives can feel very dense with essentials, many that hold us from finding time outside. It’s time for a shift. That’s why we are going to focus on the short and sure ways to a more meaningful and content life. It’s time to add, follow, and subscribe to Mother Earth.
Simple Ways to Subscribe to Nature (Even in the City)
You don’t need to escape to the mountains or live in a forest to reconnect with nature. Here’s how city dwellers can make it easy:
Find Your Own Nature Spot – The best way to make time for nature is to find a place that works for you. It doesn’t have to be a big park, it can be a quiet street with a tree full of squirrels, a community garden, or even a patch of grass near your apartment where you can sit and listen to the time go by. Pay attention to what makes you feel calm, and visit that spot often.
Cloud-Watching Breaks – Instead of scrolling social media, take a few minutes to watch the clouds drift by. It’s a great mindfulness practice.
Lunch Outside – Swap your desk lunch for a bench in a nearby green space. Even 15 minutes outside can refresh your mind.
Make a Nature Journal – Write down small observations about the environment each day. Even a note like “Saw a red bird today” helps you become more connected.
Hard Reset – Pick one day where you intentionally spend most of your free time outside without screens. Plan a solo picnic, listen to a podcast on a park bench, or a cost friendly adventure.
Micro-Adventures (and How to Make Them Less Intimidating!) – If heading out on a short nature trip feels overwhelming, start small. A micro-adventure can be as simple as visiting a nearby riverfront, botanical garden, or hiking trail for just an hour. Here are some resources to help you get started:
AllTrails – A great app to find beginner-friendly walking and hiking paths near you.
iNaturalist – A fun way to explore and identify plants and animals in your local area.
ParkRx – A movement connecting people with local parks for health benefits.
The Science: Nature is the Best Algorithm for Your Mind
1. Nature Reduces Stress and Anxiety
A 2019 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that spending just 20 minutes in nature significantly lowers cortisol levels. Forests, parks, or even tree-lined streets can act as natural stress relievers.
2. Indigenous Wisdom on Nature and Well-Being
Many Indigenous cultures have long understood what science is now proving—our connection to nature is not just beneficial, but essential. The Lakota Sioux speak of Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ, meaning “all my relations,” a philosophy that acknowledges our deep connection to all living beings.Similarly, the Māori concept of Whenua (land) highlights that humans and nature are one; caring for the land means caring for ourselves. These teachings remind us that when we spend time with nature, we are not separate from it— we are part of it.
3. Boosts Mood and Mental Clarity
Researchers at Stanford University discovered that walking in nature reduces activity in the part of the brain associated with rumination—those repetitive negative thoughts that fuel anxiety and depression.
4. Enhances Overall Well-Being
The “biophilia hypothesis” suggests that humans are hardwired to connect with nature. Exposure to natural environments has been linked to improved social interactions, better sleep, and even stronger immune function.
A Brighter Future: Reconnecting with the Environment
The more we step outside, the more we understand how vital nature is, not just for personal health but for the planet’s well-being. By prioritizing our connection with the environment, we naturally become better stewards of it. When we appreciate something, we protect it.
So, before you refresh your social feed, consider refreshing your mind with a deep breath of fresh air. Let’s make a habit of following nature’s updates, subscribing to her rhythms, and liking the world around us—offline and in real life.
Are you ready to add Mother Earth to your close friends circle?
Sources:
Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, J. P., Hahn, K. S., Daily, G. C., & Gross, J. J. (2015). Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(28), 8567–8572. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1510459112
Deloria, V. (1999). Spirit and Reason: The Vine Deloria Jr. Reader. Fulcrum Publishing.
Helbich, M., Klein, N., Roberts, H., Hagedoorn, P., & Groenewegen, P. P. (2022). More green space is related to less medication use: Evidence from a national health survey and prescription database. Environmental Research, 204, 111907. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.111907
Kimmerer, R. W. (2013). Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. Milkweed Editions.
Park, B. J., Tsunetsugu, Y., Kasetani, T., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2010). The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 18–26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-009-0086-9
van den Bosch, M., & Ode Sang, Å. (2017). Urban natural environments as nature-based solutions for improved public health – A systematic review of reviews. Environmental Research, 158, 373-384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2017.06.040