In our bustling coastal region, we are surrounded by Carolina Flatwoods which are interspersed with floodplains. This unique biodiverse ecosystem draws many to the Wilmington area and offers an accessible, evidence-based pathway to incorporate nature into our mental wellness care.
Mounting research shows that spending time in nature reduces stress, anxiety, and depression while improving mood, focus, and emotional resilience. Our area’s diverse landscapes including the Atlantic shoreline, Cape Fear River trails, and shaded park paths create everyday opportunities to connect with the natural world and nurture mental health.
Nature has a calming effect on the nervous system. Studies confirm even brief time spent outdoors can lower cortisol levels, our stress hormone, reduce blood pressure, and enhance mood. The concept of “green time” is recognized by psychologists to complement therapy and medication, helping our brains rest from constant stimulation, a reset emotionally and cognitively.
Our region’s access to water amplifies this connection. Research indicates that “blue spaces” like rivers, lakes, and oceans can have a stronger effect on mental clarity and stress relief. A stroll along the Riverwalk or a morning paddle on the Intracoastal Waterway offers physical exercise and can serve as a form of natural therapy.
Nature engagement doesn’t require a long drive or special equipment. It can be as simple as sitting under a tree in a city park, a quick stroll around the block, or taking your lunch break in a green space instead of at your desk. Even five to ten minutes of daily outdoor time can significantly boost your mood and mental clarity.
I was reminded of this recently during an eleven-hour solo road trip, which can be both mentally and physically exhausting. Our highway system offers surprising moments for nature exploration and restoration. In the Florida Panhandle, I stopped at a beautifully designed rest stop with blooming magnolia trees and extensive walking trails. At the Florida/Georgia line, the rest area surprised me with picnic tables and a walking trail beside a small cypress swamp, where I walked, then watched fish, dragonflies, and birds dart around the water, the highway humming in the background.
When I arrived home, a cool evening walk with my dog and son, again beneath blooming magnolias, helped ease the final stretch of fatigue. The extended stops added over an hour to my trip, but the benefits were significant, the next day I woke up mentally and physically recharged.
It is vital to preserve and promote access to natural spaces for all. Investing in public gardens, walkable green spaces, and even nature rich highway rest areas ensure we can all have places to rejuvenate ourselves when we need them.
In a world where mental health is increasingly challenged, nature remains one of our most powerful and free tools for healing.
Support therapeutic horticulture at the Ability Garden’s 3rd Saturday Plant Sales, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, North Carolina. For more information, contact Heather Kelejian, Therapeutic Horticulture Agent, at [email protected] or 910-798-7660.
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