Nature, Belonging, and Loneliness

“The mountains are calling
and I must go.”
- John Muir

Loneliness is not always about the absence of people.

It is often about the absence of connection.

A 2019 study published in Scientific Reports found that individuals who spent at least 120 minutes per week in nature reported significantly higher well-being and life satisfaction. The benefits were consistent across age, gender, and income levels.

The 120 minutes did not need to be consecutive. It could be accumulated.

This suggests something important... regular exposure to natural spaces may reinforce a sense of participation in something larger.

Research also shows that green spaces can encourage subtle social cohesion. Shared parks and trails increase incidental interactions, even brief eye contact or nods. These micro-connections reduce perceived isolation.

But there is also a deeper layer.

When you sit beneath trees, you are surrounded by living systems that function without needing your performance. The ecosystem does not measure your productivity.

Belonging is not earned there.

It is assumed.

Depression often carries the quiet belief of being separate or disconnected. Nature counters that narrative simply by existing.

Journal Prompts

If you are so inclined ... writing about your emotions and needs has been proven to be beneficial in helping to gain peace and alleviate stress. There’s no right way to answer.

When I feel isolated, do I seek people first or environment?

What would 120 minutes of nature look like this week in realistic terms?

Videos & Books

If quiet moments might help you reset, or if you are unable to get to a natural setting, here are some YouTube channels focused on nature, including my own, The Nature Break. Also included are some books on the benefits and beauty of nature.

YouTube Nature Channels:

• Forest 365: beautiful sounds of river water, birds in the forest, and waves that are intended to calm the mind.

• The Nature Break: Nature walks set to quiet music, short duration 2- 4 minutes

Books:

• On Trails by Robert Moor

• Nature Poems by Walt Whitman

Featured Video: Please enjoy this video from the Nature Break…

Comments

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