Why Connecting with Nature is Important Reflection Essay Sample

Have you ever wondered why is nature important, or what does nature do for us?  “Recent research shows that children are spending half as much time outside as they did 20 years ago.”." (Connecting Today’s Kids with Nature, National Wildlife Federation, 2008) said. Nature connects with our mood, mental health, physical health, and academics. We can all need to know how important and essential it is to connect with the nature around us in our daily lives.

Connecting with nature around us is proven that it helps improve our mood and also our mental health. Mental health is such a big worldwide problem that affects many. Prescribe drugs, treatments, etc. to different people*. Although, many people may not know that nature can help with these problems and is better than any medication or therapy. “Nature deprivation, a lack of time in the natural world, largely due to hours spent in front of TV or computer screens, has been associated, unsurprisingly, with depression. (University of Minnesota, “How Does Nature Impact our Well-Being.”) Mood does have to do with our mental health as well. Many different symptoms like anxiety and depression appear in many lives due to the main reason, video games. Kids are not getting enough time out in nature as they should be. “Viewing nature can reduce physiological stress response, increase levels of interest and attention, and decrease feelings of fear, anger, and aggression.” (Connecting Today’s Kids with Nature, National Wildlife Federation, 2008)

Another thing that nature can help us with, is not just our mental health but our physical health as well. A lot of people struggle with getting sleep especially after a hard day of work or staying up late doing homework. Well studies have shown that 30 minutes a day outside can result in a better night’s sleep. New research has actually found that being in nature can actually boost your immune system. So, next time you want to go to the gym and run maybe try a bit of a change and run outside at the park or within your neighborhood. 

In addition, Nature improves academics as well as behavior.  “Studies in the US show that schools that use the outdoor classrooms and other forms of nature-based experiential education support significant student gains in social studies, science, language arts, and math. Students in outdoor science programs improved their science testing scores by 27%.” (The Natural Learning Initiative, Why Naturalize Outdoor Learning Environments, January 2012). Academics are such a big part in everyone's lives. Their schooling or what they have learned depends on the degree or what college they get into, their jobs, including their salary. There are many different disorders having to do with behavior nowadays, especially in kids. “ People born and raised in cities are twice as likely to develop schizophrenia.” Schizophrenia is a behavioral disorder affecting a person’s ability to behave or think.

In closing, Nature is way more essential and important then people around the world think. Being in nature or even simply just viewing beautiful pictures of nature can have beneficial effects. It can help you with your mental health, mood, physical health, academics, and your behavior. Who knew nature can help us with so many things in our daily lives?