Proof About the Power of My Favorite Classroom: Nature

I love this Instagram post from farmersfootprint. It makes my point about the transformative role of nature in our personal and professional healing and growth!

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How long does it take to get a dose of the natural world strong enough to make you feel healthier, more balanced, and deeply connected to your well-being?

Precisely 120 minutes.

In a world that pulls us further from the rhythms of life, science now affirms what our ancestors knew intimately: the environment around us doesn’t just support life—it heals. A study of 20,000 people found that those who spent just 2 hours a week in green spaces—whether in a single visit or spread out over several—reported significantly better health and psychological well-being than those who didn’t.

But what makes these 120 minutes so powerful? What are the active ingredients in a dose of the outdoors?

Researchers have shown that “forest bathing”—simply walking in the woods—elevates levels of natural killer cells in the immune system, the body’s frontline defense against tumors and infections.

The influence of the natural world extends far beyond personal well-being—it shapes our communities, reduces crime, and fosters social cohesion. In the UK, greater exposure to green spaces was linked to lower crime rates and stronger communities. The connection between our surroundings and our behavior is undeniable.

Throughout history, we’ve turned to the outdoors in times of need. From the Romantics who found solace in the wild landscapes to the Victorians who prescribed fresh air and sea-bathing as cures, the power of the natural world as a force for healing has long been recognized. Today, that wisdom is alive again in the rise of “forest schools” and outdoor preschools, where children’s play and learning are deeply rooted in the earth.

An awakening is upon us. As we face the costs of our disconnection from the living world, the path forward becomes unmistakable: 

Reconnection.

So, the question isn’t whether our environment is beneficial—it’s whether we can afford to live without it.