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 
• Rise in nationalist thinking and political and religious extremism  
• It seems there’s a growing moral vacuum, with the waining of traditional religions that provided a moral framework 
• 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.

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 drugs like caffeine, alcohol, sugar & other go for illegal drugs. We may have technological means 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. Life slows down, our minds quieten, new perspectives arise and we start to notice the outdoors world again — the wind in the trees, water flowing, sunrises & sunsets, the seasons 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.

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 rings 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.

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The article was going to end at the previous paragraph – but I realise those who land here are probably into the outdoors too and possibly aware of all the meaningful stuff that comes with it, or just know intuitively it’s a good thing and they feel happier.  But that leads me to the next point: 

we are indeed in challenging times, and I do think there are much more good people on this planet than bad, HOWEVER, apathy and a feeling of powerlessness can reign supreme to the point we just live our lives in our little bubble and that’s sufficient. But the old saying I once come across “evil prospers when good people do nothing” does seem to me to be one of the symbolic sayings of our time. We have leaders, politicians, corporate billionaires, media moguls and those in positions of power  & influence that “rise to the top” precisely because the decent people have let them, got out the way, not got involved, or stayed willfully ignorant. We may moan to our close circle but that’s it. It doesn’t really matter or change anything. But what we each do, does matter. And that’s the big point. We need more people getting involved. Each doing our bit. Sharing what we can And influencing the more people we can. Together we can improve the world and improve our selves in the process. And a good start would be getting outdoors. And telling the world about it, and its benefits.