Why we need to be outdoors to fix the world (and ourselves)

We are living in changing, challenging times, with new issues surfacing constantly:

• Mental health problems are rising (with rapidly rising rates of anxiety & depression, 1 in 5 young people in the UK have a probable mental disorder)
• Obesity cases are rising
• Environmental & Climate crises are expanding 
• There’s a growing individualistic, self-centred, me-first, materialistic culture 
• Our Social fabric is breaking down, with a fragmentation of communities 
• There appears to be a growing moral void in society, creating space for harmful ideologies to take hold
• We see a rise in nationalist thinking and political and religious extremism  
• I could go on…

All of these problems have many causes, and they often feed into each other. There are no simple solutions. But one thing that could help with many of them is surprisingly simple: spending more time outdoors in nature. Let me explain…

The modern world is at odds with 99.9% of HUMAN evolution  

The truth is, modern life is very different from the way humans lived for almost all of our history. For hundreds of thousands of years we lived outside — moving across landscapes, eating natural foods, and living closely within small social groups with strong bonds. Today many of us move between houses, cars and offices while staring at screens all day & night. We sit more, move less, and spend far less time in nature. We often self medicate with legal socially accepted drugs like caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, whilst others go for illegal drugs. We have technological means largely through phone screens that allude to social connection, but often we feel more isolated and lonely than ever. It’s no surprise that something feels off for many of us. The outdoors that humans have evolved in, is now something we rarely experience.

Connection and protecting things that matter

But when we step outside into nature, something changes. Time slows down, our minds quieten, we feel lighter, new perspectives arise and we start to notice the outdoors world again — the changing seasons, wind in the trees, water flowing, sunrises & sunsets and the countless stars above us. These simple experiences remind us of something important: we are not separate from nature. We are part of it. We feel better when amongst it.

That feeling of connection matters a lot. Many people today feel disconnected — from nature, from their communities, and even from each other. When we feel disconnected, we often care less about the world around us. But being outdoors can help restore that sense of belonging. Standing on a mountain summit, walking through woodland, or watching a sunrise can put life into perspective. It reminds us that we all share the same, fragile, planet, that we are all literally in this together. Astronauts get a profound insight when they see the Earth from space, floating in an infinite sea of darkness (It’s called the overview effect). It results in a huge cognitive shift characterised by an intense sense of awe, unity, and deep appreciation for the planet’s fragility. But it’s also possible to get a similar effect from right here on earth, just being in nature and the outdoors. That connection to something bigger, something tangible, something real can give our lives a lot more meaning, and a new moral compass. It can bring us together and make us want to protect things and create a better world for us all. People are far more likely to respect and protect the environment when they feel connected to it. When you spend time outdoors, nature stops being an abstract issue on the news and becomes something personal. You understand how fragile the natural world can be and understand its madness to threaten our ecological systems on which we depend. 

The outdoors improves mental & physical health 

Spending time outside is also powerful for our health. It’s been proven to reduces stress, improve mood, clear the mind and enhance overall well-being. Even a short walk outdoors can make people feel calmer and more energised. In many ways, nature is the perfect antidote to the constant noise, fascade and distraction of the digital world. Being outside obviously encourages movement and a more natural form of exercise – which is good for our physical health too, keeping us in shape, heart healthy and body fit. 

The outdoors also gives us something modern life often lacks — challenge and adventure. Climbing a hill, navigating a tough route, or pushing yourself physically beyond what you think you are capable of builds confidence, strength and resilience. It brings us back to something primal and there’s a high personal satisfaction in overcoming challenges in nature that comfortable indoor life rarely provides.

A way forward for civilisation?

Ultimately, spending time outdoors helps us rediscover something modern life often makes us forget: we belong outdoors, we feel better in nature and we are part of the earth not separate from it. When we feel that connection more deeply, the divisions that dominate human societies begin to lose their power. Empathy grows. Respect deepens. It becomes harder to see others as enemies when we recognise that we all depend on the same fragile systems of life.

In a world facing global challenges, thinking only in terms of tribes and borders is no longer enough. Humanity’s future may depend on learning to see ourselves as one interconnected species sharing a single home. Infact our very survival may depend on it. 

So going outdoors and Reconnecting with nature may seem like a small simple step, but it can lead to big strdes and improvements in our health, wellbeing and lead to developing the perspective, wisdom and respect that civilisation increasingly depends upon. Only by embracing that wider sense of belonging — to the planet and to each other — can we hope to rise above our divisions and build a sustainable future.