Connecting with nature boosts well-being worldwide, according to a survey of 38,000 people

When life is hard, many people turn to nature. A walk in the park. Sitting by the sea. Watching the sunset. Is this just a pleasant feeling, or is there something deeper at work?

Many studies link spending time in nature to various aspects of mental health and well-being. For example, immersion in the natural outdoors appears to raise stress levels and stimulate brain activity patterns. The effect can be very important for children. But most research on this question has looked at people living in so-called WEIRD societies – Western, educated, industrialized, wealthy and democratic.

As environmental psychologists based in the US and Germany, we were part of a team of more than 100 researchers who set out to examine this phenomenon around the world and find out how consistent it is around the world.

Across countries as diverse as Brazil, Japan, Nigeria, Germany and Indonesia, we saw a clear pattern: People who felt more connected to nature also reported higher health.

Universal unity with nature

Researchers who study the relationship between humans and nature often use the term “nature relationship.” This phrase doesn’t just mean hiking or visiting the park. A connection to nature refers to how people see nature as part of who they are – whether they have an emotional connection with the natural world and a sense of oneness with it.

A person with a high connection to nature may agree with statements such as, “My connection to nature is an important part of who I am.” It reflects information and meaning, not just exposure.

We took data collected between 2020 and 2022 from more than 38,000 participants in a large international collaboration that was set up to assess how people responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants came from 75 countries and were on average in their teens, 20s or 30s. They filled out questionnaires that explored the relationship between people’s connection to nature and several aspects of health.

The questions investigated whether people have a purpose in life; their feelings of hope, life satisfaction and hope; their sense of resilience and their ability to cope with the stress they experienced; as well as how they practice mindfulness as they go about their daily lives.

In this large international sample, we found that people who felt more connected to nature consistently reported higher levels of health and well-being. This was true not only for feeling satisfied with life but also for deeper aspects of success, such as having a sense of direction and purpose. And these associations held even when controlling for age and gender.

Do nationalities matter?

We also examined whether certain features of the landscape enhance the benefits of feeling connected to nature.

For example, we looked at things like how well countries take care of their air, water and environment, as well as whether citizens have equal access to education, participation in democratic governance, and other important social and financial resources, and whether cultures tend to put collective welfare before individual priorities. There were differences, but the main takeaway was clear: The relationship with nature and health are evident in many different economic, cultural and environmental contexts.

In other words, the psychological benefits of feeling connected to nature do not seem to be limited to wealthy Western societies or certain cultural worldviews.

Why would a connection be important?

Another reason why feeling connected to nature can be linked to good health is that connection to nature promotes mindfulness – the ability to be present and pay attention.

In our case, people who had a strong sense of connectedness tended to have a higher level of intelligence, which is closely related to mental health.

Another possibility is that connecting with nature may also make people more tolerant. People who feel connected to something bigger than themselves may find it easier to deal with stress and uncertainty. A sense of belonging – even in the natural world – can provide a psychological foundation in a world characterized by stress. There may also be a feedback loop: Feeling better can encourage people to engage more deeply with nature, strengthening bonds over time.

Policy implications and everyday life

These findings are more important than academic discussions. Around the world, policy makers are increasingly recognizing the links between human health and environmental sustainability. International agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, an important agreement signed by 196 countries in 1992, emphasize the importance of restoring the relationship between people and nature.

These policy actions seek to protect the Earth’s environment, but our results suggest that they may also help people to be mentally healthy. Likewise, designing cities with accessible green spaces, incorporating nature experiences into schools and supporting community engagement with the local environment can do more than beautify neighborhoods – they can also help people thrive.

Across cultures, languages, and economic systems, ideas related to nature are always associated with living a hopeful, meaningful, and sustainable life. At a time when mental health challenges are on the rise around the world, connecting with nature is not a luxury but a basic – and widely shared – human need.