Amy is our Eco-Psychologist and Nature Therapist at The Bothy by Wildsmith. Here she explains how we can use nature to feel more peaceful.
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, finding moments of peace can feel elusive, yet it often lies just outside our doors. Much of our stress stems from being disconnected from nature. Many of us live and work in urban settings, where concrete and screens replace trees and streams. The tranquillityg we seek is present in the natural world; we simply need to be open to experiencing it.
Research in eco-psychology, the study of our wellbeing’s connection to the natural world, supports what many of us know intuitively: connecting with nature is profoundly therapeutic, offering us healing, grounding and a path to deeper peace.
Here’s my guide to finding moments of peace in nature.
FIND YOUR NATURE SPOT
To begin finding peace in nature, choose a nearby nature spot you can visit regularly - a garden, park, or woodland where you feel safe and relaxed. Returning to this spot on a regular basis builds a habit and lasting connection to that specific place.
ENGAGE IN MINDFUL OBSERVATION
When you're outdoors, engage mindfully with your surroundings. Pay attention to colours, textures, sounds and scents. Notice the intricate patterns of a leaf, how sunlight filters through branches, or the feel of the air as you breathe. Capture those details with photos or sketch them in a notepad. This deep attention quiets the mind, creating space for inner peace.
Exercise: Pick one sensory experience to focus on each time you visit your nature spot. Perhaps you choose to tune into the sounds around you, closing your eyes and noticing each noise in turn. Let yourself become fully absorbed by these experiences, they will help anchor you to the present and release lingering stress or anxiety.
PRACTICE GROUNDING TECHNIQUES
Grounding is a simple, powerful way to connect with nature’s calm. Try leaning against a tree inhaling deeply through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. This activates the vagus nerve, shifting your nervous system from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest.”
Exercise: Sit or stand against a tree in your nature spot. Closing your eyes, imagine that the tree's roots are extending from your body, anchoring you to the earth beneath you. This visualisation helps create a feeling of stability and balance, like a tree rooted in the soil. The more you repeat this practice the more grounded, centered and peaceful you’ll feel.
EMBRACE THE PACE OF NATURE
Philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience.”
In our fast-paced world, we often approach nature with an agenda - to exercise, get from one place to another, check off a trail etc. To truly find peace, we need to let go of these expectations and embrace nature’s deliberate rhythms.
Exercise: On your next visit to your nature spot, start by walking at the pace of your thoughts. Then, pause and shift to a pace that feels aligned with nature. This practice helps you embody “slow productivity,” where a mindful pace enhances both work quality and personal sustainability. You’ll notice improved focus and longer-lasting productivity on days you do this.
Finding peace in nature is a practice, a series of small, intentional acts that connect you to the world around you. Every moment you spend outdoors helps you reconnect with a deep, primal part of yourself that feels aligned with nature.
So the next time life feels overwhelming, step outside. Find your nature spot, take a breath and let nature’s pace wash over you.
Find out more about Amy here - Wellbeing in Nature by Amy Steadman.
