Everyday Positivity Why Nature Reduces Stress
Nov 20, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Alexis Johnson, a Nature and Wellbeing Officer at the RSPB, shares her expertise in linking nature to mental health. She explains how spending time outdoors can lower cortisol levels, calm the body, and even boost immunity through tree-derived oils. Alexis also discusses her role in training healthcare professionals to prescribe nature experiences, emphasizing the urgent need to reconnect with the natural world for emotional well-being. Kate reflects on her personal journey to integrate more nature into daily life.
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The 'Ah' Moment On A Woodland Path
- Kate describes the sudden inner calm when stopping on a tree-lined footpath with a friend.
- Alexis explains there's a physiological basis—reduced cortisol and slower heart rate—for that feeling.
Nature Lowers Physiological Stress
- Spending time in nature lowers cortisol, slows heart rate, and eases breathing, producing measurable stress reduction.
- Alexis Johnson highlights woodland scents and tree oils as additional physiological benefits that enhance wellbeing.
Forest Air Boosts Immune Cells
- Breathing woodland air can increase natural killer cells that attack pathogens and strengthen immunity.
- Alexis Johnson cites research showing both evergreen and deciduous forests deliver this immune boost.