In this extract, from her book, The Natural Advantage, Dr Jenny Brockis delves into how spending more time outdoors not only reduces stress but also enhances physical health and fosters social connections. Drawing on scientific research, she uncovers the compelling ways that immersing yourself in nature can diminish stress, alleviate mental health challenges, and combat workplace burnout. Plus, offers simple yet effective strategies to help you engage in activities that bring you joy and peace, making the great outdoors your ally in promoting a happier, healthier life.

Whether it’s gazing starstruck at the Milky Way against the velvet black backdrop of a night sky, that jaw-dropping moment when you see an extraordinary landscape, or witnessing the intricate perfection of a spider’s web silhouetted by dewdrops in the sunlight, these are the moments that take our breath away. 

Professor Dacher Keltner from the University of California, Berkeley defines awe as ‘the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your understanding of the world’. Keltner has described how the collective human experience of awe benefits our health and well-being. It contributes to a greater synchronicity of our nervous system, heartbeat and other people around us. 

It’s possible to find awe in many places. Journalling your own experiences will give you an idea of how often you feel it. Studies have shown that it’s common to experience awe two to three times a week. Awe isn’t something that you have to wait for or travel to exotic places to obtain. By doing the things that provide you with meaning, being aware of their impact on your psyche and taking the time to open your mind to what is around you, the magical mystery tour of life will show you awe in myriad places. Just take a moment to pause and see.

Awesome adventures

Some of our biggest adventures occur in the smallest of places, like taking your toddler for a walk down the street and letting them explore the cracks in the pavement, the piles of leaves, the plants growing in brickwork, the bark of the trees and the fallen seed pods. Rarely do we ever take this type of mindful walk to discover what’s in our surroundings. It might take half an hour to cover 50 metres, meaning there is a lot to find! Witnessing your child’s wonderment is awesome in its own right.

Other forms of awesome adventure could involve challenging yourself to do something a bit out of your comfort zone, like hiking alone, going white-water rafting or cycling part of the Tour de France route. Perhaps you could sign up to join a group visiting an area you’ve never been to. 

The magical benefits of seeking awe manifest in a number of ways: 

• You’re doing something different. Getting out of the office, changing your routine, slowing down to fully enjoy that cup of coffee in the sunshine, and looking around you to take in everything new takes you out of the constant state of busyness. Watching an insect feeding on nectar, the miracle of a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis or a bird feeding its young takes you out of the ordinariness and makes you witness to the extraordinary. After just ten minutes, your stress levels start to drop. Your mood and focus improve, and your blood pressure and heart rate begin to settle. 

• It doesn’t feel like exercise. Not everyone loves going to the gym. It’s hard work, you get sweaty and, apart from loud music, there’s not much to distract you from your bodily discomforts. However, cycling through a local park, walking through wetlands to see the birdlife, kayaking up a gorge or walking a famous route like the Camino de Santiago are all activities that don’t necessarily feel like exercise but are. A couple of days away and you’ll already feel fitter, happier and less stressed. 

• It expands your perception of time. Awe creates a time warp where it feels like you have more time available. This lowers stress, assists decision-making and increases your willingness to volunteer, try other new things and be more satisfied with life. This is because the moment of wonder keeps you in the present moment. Your well-being just went up a notch or three.

• You’ve achieved something! As captain of your life ship, getting to your destination feels fabulous, especially if the journey was challenging. The more difficult your personal challenge, the greater the sense of satisfaction in your achievement. And those achievements are meaningful. They are now etched firmly in your mind as wonderful memories you can draw upon at any time – along with a few hundred digital snaps to show to your friends. Remember when…?

• You discover who you are. Try this experiment with your friends. (It’s OK, they won’t come to any harm.) Ask, ‘Who are you?’ and listen to their response. If they tell you their name and where they live, fine. However, studies have shown that people who experience more awe in their lives are more likely to describe themselves in more universal terms – ‘I’m a human living on planet Earth’ or ‘a member of the human race’. In other words, awe promotes social identity in collectivist terms. It promotes an effect called ‘small self’. We feel insignificant and vulnerable in the context of the world around us. When returning from a camping or walking expedition away from other humans, noise and all the accoutrements of modern life, it’s normal to have a decreased desire for materialism, you no longer crave up-to-the-minute news, and you are more critical in your thinking about what you’re being exposed to or desire to be a part of. And that’s pretty awesome in itself.

• Awe brings connection. Feeling connected to place and planet is very calming and grounding. Australian First Nations people experience a strong connection to ‘country’. It’s their very being. Similarly, our connection to where we are born and our homeland stays with us, even when we may move to live far away from that place. I’ve lived in Australia  longer than in the UK, where I was born, but even now, revisiting those places associated with my childhood evokes intense feelings of knowing that this is where I’m from, and it makes me happy. Also, spending time in places of natural beauty has been shown to inspire greater generosity and willingness to help others, either through volunteering or helping as the need arises. 

Seeking awe in nature can provide many magical benefits, including boosting your physical activity, improving your mood and self-esteem, and providing opportunities for connection. 

Edited extract from The Natural Advantage (Major Street $32.99) by Dr Jenny Brockis. Dr Brockis is a board-certified lifestyle medicine physician, workplace health and well-being consultant. Visit www.drjennybrockis.com