Rooted in Nature: A Path to Flourishing Minds and Thriving Communities
- Laura Lane & Věra Kristensen
- Jun 8
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 11
We recently had the pleasure of attending the UNature Conference 2025, where panelists and speakers discussed the vital role of nature in mental health, education and urban planning.
Building Psychological Resilience
An interesting topic of discussion was how regular exposure to nature can boost our physical and mental health, ability to adapt, thrive and build psychological resilience. The keynote speaker Prof. Howard Frumkin made a case for nature helping us address children’s and young people’s mental health issues, reducing the impact of anxiety, depression, ADHD and loneliness, which are some of the struggles they face in today’s complex and fast-paced world.
Prof. Howard Frumkln Keynote Presentation, UNature Conference 2025
Appreciating Nature All Around Us
We know from research that early exposure to nature in forest schools, green schoolyards and parks helps to raise future nature advocates who care deeply about and protect their environment. We were fascinated to hear about a study in a socially deprived neighbourhood where greening of a schoolyard led to a drop in student dismissals from 30 cases a year to 0. These were some strong arguments for bringing more nature into cities – the places where most people live.
We were reminded how lucky we are to live in Luxembourg, a place where, according to the participant polls, most people are in contact with nature several times a week and many of us can see more than four trees from our workstation. This is a richness that we often forget – and definitely something to appreciate.
Nature and Positive Psychology
Coming away from the conference, we were curious to reflect deeper on the role nature plays in positive psychology and how practitioners can support stronger connections with the natural environment.
As experienced positive psychology practitioners, we regularly use nature-based interventions, like walk and talk sessions, outdoor mindfulness gatherings, nature-based sensory and creativity work, or reflective practices to embody oneness with the natural world. In doing so, we recognize the significant role nature plays in our well-being, not only to reduce stress, anxiety and depression but also to contribute to human flourishing, meaning making, and greater purpose in life.
We also know from the research that spending time in nature has been shown to increase:
Levels of empathy and pro-social behaviors
Social connections and positive social interactions
Emotional regulation, memory function and concentration
Levels of personal motivation and energy
Attention, focus and sensory awareness
Problem-solving and creative abilities
Feelings of gratitude and appreciation for the wider world
Nature, Community and Shared Humanity
So, it’s clear to see that nature can provide profound benefits. Benefits that can boost our psychological well-being by providing us with the internal resources needed to flourish and thrive in our fast-paced world. Resources that help us to slow down our over-thinking, over-doing mindset, acknowledge change, adaptation and renewal, and bring us back to our common humanity and oneness with every living being.
Here are a few simple ways to apply the positive effects of nature in your life:
Schedule time outdoors. Maybe it’s a walk around the block, a bike ride around the neighbourhood, or lunch in the park with colleagues, schedule time in your day for moments in nature. Allow these small blocks of time to be your oasis of bliss, embedding healthy habits into your daily routine.
Plant something. There is nothing more joyful than watching something grow. You don’t need to become a master gardener, simply plant a seed from an apple, a spouting garlic clove or wildflower seeds to attract insects. Observe how the sunlight, rain and your TLC brings about transformation and change to even the smallest seedling.
Keep a nature journal. A nature journal is a creative and unique way to collect and note everything about your encounters with the outside world. From a walk in the forest, to a trip to the countryside, use this space to draw, write or attach small things from your journeys that remind you of your time in nature. You can also reflect on the sensory experiences of being in nature and how the sounds, smells or touch of leaves evoked certain memories, feelings or emotions.
Participate in a nature outing with others. Why not try a new hiking trail, a park run or a nature-based workshop where you can interact with nature and with others. Enjoying common activities in the outdoors supports positive social interaction, emotional regulation and even better sleep.
Balance your diet with more plant-based foods. Diet is a great way of establishing a strong connection with mother nature. Consuming more plant-based proteins, vitamins and minerals can help your body to maintain an optimal state of functioning. Foods grown yourself or locally also offer a great connection to people, planet and community.
Our Challenge
This UNature Conference challenged us to think differently about the role the natural world plays in our health and well-being and was a perfect reminder to take time to breathe in the fresh air this summer and watch the beautiful Luxembourg landscape unfold.
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