Why is nature so beneficial to human physical and mental health? Nature sounds can improve relaxation, reduce stress and increase alertness. Nature therapy is the practice of being outdoors to increase healing. Erica is a health promotion specialist for SelectHealth. She was a student athlete at the University of Utah playing lacrosse and has coached local teams for eight years.She is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and finding enjoyment while doing so. She is a former librarian who enjoys reading, especially Hemingway. She enjoys traveling the world with her husband and children to explore culture and making incredible memories. Her most recent work has been studying the correlation between nature and its impact on physical and mental health.

A growing body of research is showing that psychedelics can influence people’s connection to nature. What makes psychedelics such as psilocybin promising agents for enhancing nature connectedness, and what are the potential implications of this at a time of growing mental health and ecological crises? What overlap is there between the mechanisms underpinning how psychedelics and contact with nature can confer benefits to our mental well-being? And how might we maximise this synergy between nature and psychedelics to improve mental health?

Holly Merker discusses the powerful benefits of birdwatching, or ornitherapy, on mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Experts highlight how time spent in nature, especially watching birds, can reduce stress, foster a sense of awe, and inspire compassion for the environment. Personal stories demonstrate how birdwatching helps individuals cope with challenges, from dementia to grief and hearing loss, providing comfort and connection. The practice of ornitherapy encourages deeper self-awareness and healing, emphasizing the therapeutic power of connecting with birds and nature.