Why Being Outdoors Supports Mental Health

In a world that feels increasingly fast-paced, overstimulated, and demanding, the simple act of stepping outside has become more than just a routine. For many, it’s a quiet form of resistance, a way to find peace, and a subtle but powerful tool for improving mental wellbeing. Whether it’s a walk in the park, a few quiet hours by the river, or time spent in the hills of Somerset, the outdoors offers a level of mental and emotional nourishment that modern life often lacks.

Reel Wellbeing is built on this belief. Our approach to mental health is grounded in the natural world. While fishing may be the activity that brings people together, the broader purpose is deeper: to help individuals reconnect with themselves, with others, and with the healing presence of the outdoors. This guide explores why nature can be such an effective ally in supporting mental health and what science and experience tell us about its role in recovery, resilience, and reconnection.

The Mental Load of Modern Life

Before diving into the benefits of nature, it’s important to consider what we’re often carrying. The pressures of daily life – from work, finances, social expectations, technology, and personal struggles – can build up over time and silently erode wellbeing. Mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and burnout are increasingly common, with many people feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or simply stuck in cycles they can’t seem to break.

Much of this is exacerbated by the environment we live in. Urban settings, artificial lighting, noise pollution, and screen-based living can dull our senses, overstimulate our minds, and keep us in a near-constant state of low-level stress. We spend so much time indoors, in controlled spaces, that we begin to lose our connection to the natural rhythms of the world around us. And that loss has real consequences.

The Science Behind Nature and Mental Health

There is now a significant body of research confirming what many people have long intuitively understood: spending time in nature improves mental health. It’s not just about the fresh air — though that certainly helps — but the full, multisensory experience of being in a natural environment.

Studies show that being outdoors reduces cortisol, the primary stress hormone. It lowers heart rate and blood pressure, improves mood, and even enhances cognitive function. People who spend regular time in green or blue spaces — areas with vegetation or water — report greater emotional stability, fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety, and increased overall wellbeing.

One of the leading theories is the concept of “attention restoration.” In daily life, we often use what's called “directed attention” — a form of focus that requires effort, such as reading emails or attending meetings. Over time, this type of attention fatigues the brain. Nature, by contrast, engages our “effortless attention” — the gentle awareness you experience when watching clouds move or water ripple. This allows the mind to rest, reset, and restore itself.

Additionally, exposure to natural daylight helps regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, improving sleep quality and supporting the production of serotonin and melatonin, two hormones that play essential roles in mood regulation.

More Than a Mood Boost

While nature can certainly improve mood in the short term, its real strength lies in its cumulative effect over time. For those living with long-term mental health conditions, consistent exposure to natural environments can become a vital part of a broader wellbeing strategy.

Nature supports the development of emotional resilience — the ability to recover from setbacks and maintain stability in the face of stress. This is particularly important for individuals who may feel overwhelmed by personal circumstances or struggle with self-esteem and motivation.

There is also an increasing recognition of the role nature plays in social health — our sense of belonging, connection, and community. Many people suffering from mental health challenges experience loneliness or isolation. Natural spaces provide low-pressure settings where people can meet, talk, or simply be alongside others without the demands of more formal social environments. In many cases, just sharing the same space can create a sense of togetherness.

Why Fishing?

At Reel Wellbeing, fishing is the bridge that brings people into nature. It’s not a requirement to love angling or even know how to do it. In fact, many participants join without any previous experience or intention to fish seriously. But what fishing offers — beyond the rod and reel — is a quiet structure that supports the wellbeing process in subtle and meaningful ways.

Fishing encourages patience. It slows down the body and the mind. It creates opportunities for mindfulness without explicitly demanding it. The act of waiting, observing, and being present becomes a therapeutic rhythm. Unlike sports that require constant motion or competition, fishing is gentle, calm, and unhurried. It invites you to tune in to the world around you: the movement of water, the sound of birds, the way the light changes throughout the day.

For many, it provides a sense of purpose — even if that purpose is simply trying to catch a fish. That small goal can be enough to pull someone out of rumination or despair, offering a reason to get out of bed, leave the house, and show up for something.

But perhaps most importantly, fishing allows people to be together in a way that’s comfortable. There’s no pressure to talk, no forced conversation. Just the quiet companionship of others nearby, doing the same thing, sharing the same space. And that, in itself, is often enough to start healing.

Nature Without Pressure

One of the core values of Reel Wellbeing is inclusivity. The outdoors can feel intimidating to some — especially those who’ve been disconnected from it for a while or who feel unsure about being part of a group. But the natural world doesn’t ask anything of us. It doesn’t judge, rush, or expect.

You don’t need special gear, prior knowledge, or a certain level of fitness to feel the benefits. Just showing up — even if only for a few minutes — can make a difference. For people experiencing anxiety or depression, that first step can feel enormous. But nature is patient. It waits. And when someone is ready, it welcomes them in.

We also understand that mental health isn’t always visible. Many people live with silent struggles, and their needs aren’t always met by conventional services. Reel Wellbeing aims to offer an alternative — a space that is supportive without being clinical, active without being overwhelming, and healing without being hard to access.

Building a Routine Around Nature

One of the most powerful things about spending time outdoors is how it can evolve from a one-off activity into part of a personal routine. Regular outdoor exposure helps reinforce healthy patterns — such as sleep, movement, and social contact — which are all known to support mental health.

In Somerset, we are fortunate to have a landscape that lends itself beautifully to this. From the flat wetlands of the Levels to the winding coastlines and gentle rivers, there are countless places where one can find solitude, beauty, and peace. The goal is not to turn nature into a task but to allow it to become a gentle rhythm in your week — a place you can return to whenever you need.

For some, this means attending a weekly session with Reel Wellbeing. For others, it might be walking a familiar trail, watching wildlife, or simply sitting quietly by the water’s edge. However you engage with it, nature responds. And over time, your relationship with it can become a source of comfort and strength.

A Community of Support

While nature itself is healing, the community that grows around it can be just as important. Reel Wellbeing is more than just an initiative; it’s a network of people who understand what it means to struggle and who believe in supporting each other through simple, human connection.

We’re building a space where participants are met with kindness, not judgement. Where you don’t have to explain yourself or meet a certain standard to be welcomed. And where progress is defined not by recovery in a clinical sense, but by moments of relief, of laughter, of stillness — and by the feeling that you’re not alone.

Our sessions are shaped by the people who attend them. Some come regularly, others drop in when they need it. There’s no pressure, no attendance requirements, no expectation to perform or achieve. Just the invitation to show up, be yourself, and let the natural world do its quiet work.

Getting Started

If you’ve never tried spending intentional time in nature before, it might feel unfamiliar at first. But like anything new, it gets easier with time. Start small. Step outside for five minutes. Sit somewhere quiet and notice what you see, hear, and feel. Breathe. Allow yourself to slow down.

If you're ready, consider joining one of our sessions. You don’t need to know how to fish. You don’t need to explain anything. Just come as you are.

And if that feels too much right now, that’s okay too. We’ll be here when you’re ready.

Final Thoughts

Mental health doesn’t always need complicated solutions. Sometimes, it just needs space — space to breathe, to pause, and to begin again. Nature provides that space freely and without judgement. It reminds us that change doesn’t have to be dramatic. It can be slow, steady, and rooted — like the trees that grow silently above us or the rivers that find their way forward, even around the hardest bends.

Reel Wellbeing exists to help people find that space — and to do it together. Because no one should have to face mental health challenges alone. And sometimes, all it takes is a little time outside to begin feeling a bit more like yourself again.