Nature connection in winter: embracing the seasons for wellbeing

10th February 2025

Nature connection brings us so many benefits yet as humans, we often see ourselves as separate from nature. While the natural world slows down, hibernates and rests during winter, we push through, expecting our energy and motivation to remain constant.

Lotte Holloway, our Learning and Programme Coordinator, explores the challenges many face during the colder months and how nature connection and embracing a slower pace can support emotional and physical wellbeing.

She also highlights the vital role we at Earthwatch play in fostering meaningful connections with the natural world, particularly for individuals in underserved urban communities.

Winter offers a wonderful opportunity to slow down and reconnect with nature. Discover how Earthwatch can support and inspire your connection to the natural world.

The growing disconnect between humans and nature

Photo: Mark Deans

As urbanisation progresses, more and more natural landscapes are lost to concrete infrastructure. Increasing numbers of people have limited access to high quality green spaces.

With daily life dominated by artificial lighting, screens and indoor spaces, many people find themselves isolated from the natural world, often without even realising it. Having the opportunity to spend time in nature and have access to it is now a privilege.

This separation has profound consequences, not only for our wellbeing but also for our care for the environment.

It is widely accepted that a deep connection to nature can benefit our physical health and mental wellbeing, boosting immunity and cognitive function.

It can also enhance relaxation, uplift mood and improve overall life satisfaction, helping to foster emotional resilience to combat anxiety and depression.

Additionally, spending time in natural environments has been linked to better sleep quality, lower blood pressure, and a reduced risk of chronic conditions.

As many of us lose the chance to experience the restorative effects of nature, we forget that we are a part of nature.

Over time, this disconnect can lead to a diminished sense of responsibility for protecting the planet The natural world feels distant and less integral to our lives.

Rebuilding this relationship is essential – not just for personal health and wellbeing, but for fostering a deeper care for the environment.

The challenge of the colder months

Photo: Jane Scott

This disconnect is often exacerbated during winter, as limited sunlight and colder weather reduces our ability to spend time outdoors in nature.

Nature embraces winter as a time for rest, reflection and preparation for spring. Humans often resist these seasonal cycles, pushing forward with the same relentless pace.

Animals hibernate, plant growth slows, and the natural world goes quiet, conserving energy for survival through winter and then renewal in spring.

Yet instead of aligning with this natural rhythm, we push for constant productivity, expecting our energy and motivation to remain unchanged.

There is evidence to suggest that humans too need periods of slowing down and recharging during life’s difficult seasons.

Ignoring this wintering process can lead to physical and emotional consequences, many of which we’ve all likely experienced.

Through the colder months, we experience shifts in hormones, circadian rhythms and energy levels as well as increased likelihood of colds and flu. This leads to decreased motivation for work and daily activities.

Many people experience symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression triggered by the lack of sunlight and warmth. It can lead to fatigue, changes in sleep patterns, and other mental health issues.

Understanding the unique challenges of winter helps us reflect on how it affects both our bodies and minds. This can show us the importance of adapting to the season rather than resisting it.

Embracing winter as an opportunity

Photo: Leah Pink

Aligning with nature’s slower pace during winter has the potential to bring both personal and environmental benefits.

During the colder months, taking the opportunity to rest, recharge and renew following these natural rhythms can alleviate stress, boost immunity and reduce emotional fatigue.

This can also help foster calmness, mental clarity, and a deeper connection to nature, encouraging responsibility and positive actions for the environment.

During winter, practical activities to reconnect with nature can be completely personalised to your time, energy and needs – forming a meaningful relationship with nature is specific to you.

Wrapping up for a wintery mindful walk might be your thing. Or perhaps creating a cosy nook in your house with a journal and cup of tea could be more your speed.

Either way, embracing these seasonal cycles means relieving yourself of the pressures of everyday life and mindfully resting.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Go on a mindful walk: Take a slow, quiet walk in a local park or green space, focusing on the sounds, smells, and sights around you.
• Birdwatching: Set up a bird feeder or go to a local park to observe winter birds.
• Nature journaling: Document your surroundings with sketches, notes, or poetry about the changing landscape.
• Seasonal foraging: Look for winter greenery like holly, ivy, or pinecones to create natural decorations or crafts.
• Explore nature podcasts or books: Learn more about the natural world from the comfort of your home on chilly days.
• Build a shelter for wildlife: Create habitats for animals, like birdhouses, hedgehog shelters, or insect hotels.
• Winter gardening: Plant hardy plants, prune, or prepare your garden for spring.
• Stargazing: Winter skies are often clear, making it a great time to look at constellations.
• Gaze out your window: Observe the changing weather, birds, or trees from the comfort of your home.
• Listen to nature sounds: Play recordings of birdsong, rain, or forest sounds to bring nature indoors.
• Create nature art: Use leaves, twigs, or other natural materials collected on short walks to make simple crafts.

How Earthwatch supports nature connection

Here at Earthwatch, we aim to create a future where people live in harmony with the natural world.

We focus on areas where the disconnect is most prevalent – in urban and underserved areas, where access to high-quality green space is limited or non-existent.

Our Nature in Cities work provides people with the knowledge, skills, confidence, and resources to connect with nature.

Initiatives like Tiny Forests create thriving pockets of biodiversity in cities, offering communities opportunities to experience the calming benefits of nature.

Our education programmes inspire young people and educators to embrace outdoor learning, fostering a love for the environment. This also helps build a sense of responsibility for its protection.

These citizen science projects allow participants to contribute to vital global research, making a tangible difference in conservation efforts while deepening their connection to the natural world.

By improving access to green spaces, Earthwatch makes it easier for people to slow down, reflect, and engage with nature year-round.

How will you connect with nature this winter?

To close, here is a beautiful poem from Jarod K. Anderson to think about during these slower months:

The water in your body is just visiting.

It was a thunderstorm a week ago.

It will be the ocean soon enough.

Most of your cells come and go like morning dew.

We are more weather pattern than stone monument.

Whether through mindful walks, nature journaling or engaging in one of our projects, consider the winter as opportunity to slow down and reconnect.

Think about how to relieve the pressures the society puts on you, aligning with the rhythms of the natural world for rest and recovery.  

Subscribe to our newsletter to find out more about our Nature in Cities work, learn about wildlife, and get involved today! Join us in fostering a deeper relationship with the environment and help us create a world where humans live in balance with nature.