Wellness Edit: The Healing Power of Nature Walks
Finding calm, clarity, and creativity—one step at a time.
Hello, I’m Jenn, and if you’re new here, welcome to Naturally Healing. In this space I explore mindful slow living for wellbeing, the power of nature to help us heal, and the importance of showing up as our authentic selves. Here, you’ll find honest reflections, personal stories, and a reminder to prioritise what truly matters—our health, our peace, and the way we live each day. I post twice a week: Tuesday is all about Authenticity Unfiltered, where we dive into honest, real conversations about living authentically, embracing imperfections, and showing up as our true selves. Fridays are our Wellness Edit, where we explore all things related to healing and wellness, with a special focus on the power of nature. Thanks for reading 🤎
A gentle ode to getting outside—woods, beaches, parks. Benefits for mental health, creativity, and grounding.
There’s something about a walk outdoors that settles the soul.
Not a power walk. Not a step-count mission. Just a slow, gentle meander through nature—whether that’s a muddy woodland path, a quiet trail along the coast, or a peaceful wander through the local park. No pressure, no agenda. Just presence.
I’ve come to think of these walks as moving meditations. Little resets. Invitations to step out of my head and into my senses. The crunch of leaves, the crisp air on my skin, birdsong in the background. Even when I don’t feel like going out—especially then—I always come back feeling better than I did when I left.
Nature and Our Nervous Systems
Our bodies recognise nature. There’s something primal and deeply familiar about it. When we’re surrounded by trees, open skies, or the rhythmic sound of waves, our nervous systems start to regulate. Stress levels soften. Our breath slows down.
Studies have shown that spending time in nature can lower cortisol, reduce anxiety, and improve mood—and I can absolutely confirm that from my own experience. On days when I feel overwhelmed or stretched thin, even just twenty minutes outside can help me find a sense of calm again.
A Place to Think (Or Not Think at All)
As a teacher and a mum, I’m constantly switched on—navigating other people’s needs, making decisions, solving problems. So when I step into nature, it’s like my brain gets a break. Sometimes I think clearly for the first time all day. Other times, I just let go of thinking altogether and focus on the rhythm of my steps.
It’s during these walks that ideas start to flow. It’s often where my writing begins, even if it doesn’t make it to the page until later. There’s something about being in motion and surrounded by beauty that opens up space for creativity and clarity.
Grounded, Again
One of the most healing aspects of nature walks is how they bring us back to ourselves. The world is loud and fast. We’re pulled in a hundred directions every day. But nature doesn’t rush. It doesn’t demand anything from us. It simply is—and it welcomes us as we are.
Being outside reminds me that I’m part of something bigger. That life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. That healing doesn’t always happen in big, dramatic moments—it often happens quietly, one step at a time.
A Gentle Invitation
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected lately, I gently invite you to go for a walk—alone, with a friend, with your dog, or just with your thoughts. Don’t wait for the perfect weather. Just go.
Even if it’s ten minutes around the block. Even if it’s just standing under a tree in your garden with a cup of tea. Let nature do what it does best: hold you, ground you, and remind you that you’re still here, still breathing, still healing.
Thank you for reading.
Take care,
Jenn x
Love this! Nature walks are a necessity for me!
Yes One step at a time, one fresh air breath at a time.... no worries on the peace of the experience