by Shirley M. Mueller, M.D.

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In modern life, with its high-speed internet, AI exposure, and stress-ridden workplaces, we rarely take the time to relax. But what if the antidote to our stress-ridden lives is as simple as stepping outside? Yes – Mother Nature isn’t just good at spinning the globe but also at dialing down our stress levels. Here, we will unpack how frolicking in the forest or chilling in the park can be your new prescription for peace.

How Nature Reboots the Brain
The idea that nature can reduce stress isn’t new. However, what is relatively recent is the mounting scientific evidence supporting it. Studies suggest that time in nature can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and even enhance immune system functioning. For instance, Ulrich et al. (1991) found that patients recovering from surgery healed faster when their hospital rooms offered views of trees and nature scenes rather than brick walls.

The Green Benefit
Taking a stroll through a park can do more than improve your physical health; it can also boost your memory and attention span. Berman et al. (2008) showed that participants who trekked in a natural setting performed better on memory and attention tests than those who walked in urban settings.
Surprisingly, just looking at pictures of nature can help reduce stress. This was illustrated in a study by Beil and Hanes (2013), who found that viewing digital images of natural scenes helped to diminish stress markers in the body.

Forest Bathing: A Japanese Tradition
Forest bathing is called shinrin-yoku in Japan. This practice involves slowly walking through a forest, taking in the atmosphere, and breathing deeply. This activity can decrease levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, and enhance feelings of well-being (Morita et al., 2007).

A Dose of Vitamin “See”
Let’s not forget the sunshine. Being outdoors means increased exposure to sunlight, which helps the body produce vitamin D. This “sunshine vitamin” is essential for bone health, and it’s also linked to an improved mood. Researchers have found that vitamin D might play a role in regulating temperament and warding off depression (Gloth et al., 1999).

On a personal note, one of my favorite escapes is packing a bag, slinging on a pair of sturdy boots, and heading for the nearest national park. Imagine hiking through a quiet pine forest, the sun filtering through branches, birds overhead, and nary a buzzing phone in sight. It’s not just poetic—it is science. Bratman and colleagues (2015) demonstrated that even brief “nature walks” can reduce rumination—those endless loops of anxious thoughts—by lowering activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex, a brain region associated with depression (Bratman et al., 2015). In other words, swapping screen time for trail time can literally dial down the neural circuits that keep you stuck in a worry mode.

It’s not just about quieting negative thoughts. A publication in Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine reported that “forest bathing” increased levels of natural killer cells—our immune system’s ninja warriors—after just a couple of hours in the woods (Li, 2010).

Sunshine, Sweat, and Serotonin
National parks are not only gorgeous, but they also nudge you to move. Whether you are tackling a five-mile trek in Yosemite or waddling up sandstone steps at Zion, your body responds by releasing endorphins and serotonin—those mood-lifting neurotransmitters we all wish we had on tap (White et al., 2019). A study in Environmental Science & Technology tracked 20,000 park visitors and found that those who spent at least 30 minutes in green spaces reported a 15% drop in feelings of stress and a 20% boost in overall life satisfaction (White et al., 2019).

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The “Awe Factor”
There is something almost mystical about staring up at Half Dome in Yosemite or peering into the Grand Canyon’s dizzying depths. Researchers have labeled this emotion “awe” and found that it is good for you. A paper in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology linked awe experiences to reduced inflammation, improved well-being, and even a smoother sense of time, meaning you will feel like you have more of it (Rudd, Vohs, & Aaker, 2012). In other words, the experience gives your body a mini recharge.

Park Prescriptions: More Than Just a Trendy Hashtag
Doctors are giving “park prescriptions.” The National Park Service and several healthcare systems have started encouraging patients to spend at least 120 minutes per week in nature (Pretty, 2017). The rationale is simple: spending 20 minutes a day, six days a week, walking through a national park can cut your risk of depression by 30%. Patients with hypertension who followed park prescriptions saw measurable drops in blood pressure after just a month (Kondo & Branas, 2017).

This kind of prescription benefits families, too. A report in the Journal of Environmental Psychology noted that family units in national parks who were screen-free and participated in outdoor activities experienced 40% more meaningful interactions compared to urban outings (Roe & Aspinall, 2011).

Conclusion: Nature as Self-Care
It’s tempting to see national parks as nothing more than vast playgrounds for hikers and campers. In truth, these protected areas act like living laboratories – places where our minds, emotions, and bodies undergo a much-needed reboot. In other words, stepping into a national park is like pressing “restart” on our overworked systems – reminding us that, now and then, humans benefit from a factory reset just as our gadgets do.

References

Ulrich, R. S., et al. (1991). Effects of hospital environments on patient well-being. Recovery Environments.
Berman, M. G., et al. (2008). The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological Science.
Beil, K., & Hanes, D. (2013). The influence of urban natural and built environments on physiological and psychological measures of stress— a pilot study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Morita, E., et al. (2007). Psychological effects of forest environments on healthy adults: Shinrin-yoku (forest-air bathing, walking) as a possible method of stress reduction. Public Health.
Gloth, F. M., et al. (1999). Vitamin D deficiency in homebound elderly persons. Journal of the American Medical Association.
Bratman, G. N., Anderson, C. B., Berman, M. G., Cochran, B., de Vries, S., Flanders, J., … & Daily, G. C. (2015). Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(31), 10620–10625.
Li, Q. (2010). Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 9–17.
White, M. P., Alcock, I., Wheeler, B. W., & Depledge, M. H. (2019). Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and well-being. Environmental Science & Technology, 53(9), 5132–5140.
Rudd, M., Vohs, K. D., & Aaker, J. (2012). Awe expands people’s perception of time, alters decision making, and enhances well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 103(4), 673–685.
Roe, J., & Aspinall, P. (2011). Environment and childhood development: The role of greenspace in family socialization and stress reduction. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 31(1), 111–119.
Pretty, J. (2017). Green mind theory: How brain biochemistry is affected by the countryside. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 53, 1–25.
Kondo, M. C., & Branas, C. C. (2017). Parks and health: Why we need more parks in our cities. Current Epidemiology Reports, 4(2), 63–69.
Burton, C. M., & King, L. A. (2004). The health benefits of writing about intensely positive experiences. Journal of Research in Personality, 38(2), 150–163.
Another reference 4 4 25 Chattergee – nature in health care
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/7/1027

Shirley M. Mueller, M.D., is known for her expertise in Chinese export porcelain and neuroscience. Her unique knowledge in these two areas motivated her to explore the neuropsychological aspects of collecting, both to help herself and others as well. This guided her to write her landmark book, Inside the Head of a Collector: Neuropsychological Forces at Play. In it, she uses the new field of neuropsychology to explain the often-enigmatic behavior of collectors. Shirley is also a well-known speaker. She has shared her insights in London, Paris, Shanghai, and other major cities worldwide as well as across the United States. In these lectures, she blends art and science to unravel the mysteries of the collector’s mind.

August 2025: National Parks