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From the serene shores of Lake Washington to the towering trees of the Cascades, Seattle offers an abundance of opportunities for residents to connect with the outdoors. Studies have shown that contact with nature can lift our well-being, influencing thoughts, affecting emotions, reducing stress, and improving physical health. So, step outside, breathe in the fresh air, and embrace the healing power of nature.

The Nature for Health Initiative

Research conducted by the University of Washington has shown that spending time in natural environments can lower stress levels, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improve overall well-being.  According to Nature for Health , a UW initiative spearheading research on the health benefits of time outside, time spent in nature can reduce anxiety and help you sleep better at night.

“The Nature for Health initiative is aimed at accelerating our understanding of the health impacts of time spent in nature,” said Joshua Lawler, the initiative’s lead and a UW professor in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences. “The group is not only about doing this critical research but also about applying it to create programs and policies that are good for human health.”

Smell Your Way to Better Health

While studies on the benefits of contact with nature have typically focused on how seeing nature affects us, a group of researchers published a paper this spring on how smells from natural settings impact our health and well-being.

“We are immersed in a world of odorants, and we have a sophisticated olfactory system that processes them, with resulting impacts on our emotions and behavior,” said Gregory Bratman, a University of Washington assistant professor of environmental and forest sciences. “But compared to research on the benefits of seeing nature, we don’t know nearly as much about how the impacts of nature’s scents and olfactory cues affect us.”

A Health Boost from an Active Lifestyle

Regular exposure to nature encourages physical activity, which helps maintain a healthy weight, strengthens the cardiovascular system, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases. In Seattle, popular spots like the 12 miles of trails in Discovery Park and the 18-mile Burke-Gilman Trail provide ideal settings for walking and cycling.

Nature also has a profound effect on mental health. The calming sounds of rustling leaves, the beauty of blooming flowers, and the tranquility of bodies of water create an oasis that fosters relaxation and mindfulness. Seattle’s many green spaces, like the Washington Park Arboretum, offer a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, allowing residents to recharge their mental batteries.

Ecotherapy in the Woods

Seattle has embraced forest bathing or shinrin-yoku, a term that emerged in Japan in the 1980s that emphasizes the health benefits of immersing oneself in nature. While it began as an environmental antidote to burnout from technology and a way to inspire people to protect Japan’s forests, a decade later, researchers began studying the physiological benefits of forest bathing. The findings were not a surprise: it’s healthy to walk in the woods.

Workshops and guided experiences in nature have been shown to reduce stress and improve immune function, both of which can contribute to a longer, healthier life. Join a public session with Cascadia Forest Therapy and experience lower stress levels, improved heart rate, and enhanced immune function.

Nature’s Chemical Infusion

Similar principles apply to Seattle’s urban parks. Regular exposure to nature can enhance the immune system, making the body more resilient to illnesses. Phytoncides—natural chemicals released by trees and plants—have been shown to increase the production of white blood cells, which play a crucial role in fighting off infections.

Engaging with Seattle’s abundant parks, such as the Mercer Slough Nature Park, a 329-acre wetland offering a tranquil setting for walking, biking, and observation, can provide these benefits and help maintain overall health.

Let Nature Lower Your Cortisol Levels

Nature has a unique ability to mitigate stress levels, with research indicating that spending time outdoors can lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. Chronic stress is linked to a host of health issues, including heart disease, obesity, and reduced life expectancy.

Spending just 20 minutes connecting with nature can help lower stress hormone levels, according to a study in Frontiers in Psychology. Seattle residents can take advantage of peaceful spots like the stunning Alki Beach, or the lush trails of the Mount Rainier National Park—the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States spawning five major rivers—to unwind and reconnect with nature.

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