Why Nature Therapy Helps When the Nights Draw In: Rebalancing Mood Through the Changing Seasons
As the days shorten and the nights draw in, many people notice a quiet shift inside. Energy dips, motivation fades, and the world can start to feel heavier. It’s a natural response to the season — but that doesn’t mean you have to endure it.
Nature therapy offers a simple, evidence-based way to rebalance mood and restore a sense of calm. It’s about slowing down, breathing deeply, and allowing nature to do what it does best — help you reconnect with yourself.
The science behind nature and mood
Research consistently shows that time in nature supports emotional wellbeing and reduces symptoms of anxiety, stress, and low mood. Attention Restoration Theory explains how natural settings restore focus and relieve mental fatigue by softly engaging our senses (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989).
A large study by White et al. (2019) found that spending around two hours a week outdoors is associated with better mental health and overall wellbeing. Even short periods in green space can lower stress hormones and improve mood.
Further studies show that walking in nature can increase positive affect, improve sleep and concentration, and strengthen emotional resilience (Berman et al., 2012; Roberts et al., 2019). Nature therapy isn’t just a nice idea — it’s a proven way to look after your mental health.
Why autumn and winter are the perfect time for nature therapy
When daylight fades, serotonin levels naturally drop, which can lead to lower mood and motivation. But spending time outdoors — even on cloudy days — helps regulate circadian rhythm, supports better sleep, and boosts mood.
That’s why autumn and winter are ideal for guided therapy walks. The slower pace invites reflection, the colours and atmosphere bring calm, and the crisp air encourages deep, mindful breathing. Rather than retreating indoors, nature therapy helps you step outside and use the season as an opportunity to reset.
Minds in the Mountains: therapy without walls
At Minds in the Mountains, I offer guided therapy walks in the heart of the Lake District — helping people reconnect, reflect, and rebalance through the power of nature.
Sessions combine open conversation, mindfulness, and forest-therapy principles to gently support emotional clarity, stress relief, and resilience. It’s therapy, but without the walls, the labels, or the waiting lists.
Each walk is private, tailored to your pace and goals, and takes place among the fells, forests, and lakes around Keswick and the surrounding valleys. Many people describe it as “a breath of fresh air for the mind”.
You don’t need a referral or a label to begin — just curiosity and a willingness to step outdoors. Learn more on the About page, or get in touch to arrange your first session. If you’ve been feeling low, overwhelmed, or disconnected, this could be the step that helps you feel like yourself again.
Final thought
When the nights draw in, nature helps you find light again — literally and emotionally. It’s a chance to reset before winter, clear the noise, and give yourself space to breathe. Sometimes, one mindful walk can be the turning point.
Reconnect • Reflect • Rebalance — one step at a time with Minds in the Mountains.
Return to Home to explore more.
Bibliography (verified links)
As the days shorten and the nights draw in, many people notice a quiet shift inside. Energy dips, motivation fades, and the world can start to feel heavier. It’s a natural response to the season — but that doesn’t mean you have to endure it.
Nature therapy offers a simple, evidence-based way to rebalance mood and restore a sense of calm. It’s about slowing down, breathing deeply, and allowing nature to do what it does best — help you reconnect with yourself.
The science behind nature and mood
Research consistently shows that time in nature supports emotional wellbeing and reduces symptoms of anxiety, stress, and low mood. Attention Restoration Theory explains how natural settings restore focus and relieve mental fatigue by softly engaging our senses (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989).
A large study by White et al. (2019) found that spending around two hours a week outdoors is associated with better mental health and overall wellbeing. Even short periods in green space can lower stress hormones and improve mood.
Further studies show that walking in nature can increase positive affect, improve sleep and concentration, and strengthen emotional resilience (Berman et al., 2012; Roberts et al., 2019). Nature therapy isn’t just a nice idea — it’s a proven way to look after your mental health.
Why autumn and winter are the perfect time for nature therapy
When daylight fades, serotonin levels naturally drop, which can lead to lower mood and motivation. But spending time outdoors — even on cloudy days — helps regulate circadian rhythm, supports better sleep, and boosts mood.
That’s why autumn and winter are ideal for guided therapy walks. The slower pace invites reflection, the colours and atmosphere bring calm, and the crisp air encourages deep, mindful breathing. Rather than retreating indoors, nature therapy helps you step outside and use the season as an opportunity to reset.
Minds in the Mountains: therapy without walls
At Minds in the Mountains, I offer guided therapy walks in the heart of the Lake District — helping people reconnect, reflect, and rebalance through the power of nature.
Sessions combine open conversation, mindfulness, and forest-therapy principles to gently support emotional clarity, stress relief, and resilience. It’s therapy, but without the walls, the labels, or the waiting lists.
Each walk is private, tailored to your pace and goals, and takes place among the fells, forests, and lakes around Keswick and the surrounding valleys. Many people describe it as “a breath of fresh air for the mind”.
You don’t need a referral or a label to begin — just curiosity and a willingness to step outdoors. Learn more on the About page, or get in touch to arrange your first session. If you’ve been feeling low, overwhelmed, or disconnected, this could be the step that helps you feel like yourself again.
Final thought
When the nights draw in, nature helps you find light again — literally and emotionally. It’s a chance to reset before winter, clear the noise, and give yourself space to breathe. Sometimes, one mindful walk can be the turning point.
Reconnect • Reflect • Rebalance — one step at a time with Minds in the Mountains.
Return to Home to explore more.
Bibliography
Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective. Cambridge University Press. (WorldCat record)
White, M. P., Alcock, I., Grellier, J., et al. (2019). Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 7730. View study
Berman, M. G., Kross, E., Krpan, K. M., et al. (2012). Interacting with nature improves cognition and affect for individuals with depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 140(3), 300–305. PubMed | Free Full Text (PMC)
Roberts, H., Van Lissa, C., Hagedoorn, P., Kellar, I., & Helbich, M. (2019). The effect of short-term exposure to the natural environment on depressive mood: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environmental Research, 177, 108606. PubMed | Preprint (PDF)