Experiencing Nature
Did you know that spending time outdoors and in nature can help us live healthier and longer lives? Nature can come in many forms, including parks, playgrounds, and gardens.
Being in nature and moving our bodies can make us feel good. It can also help calm our brain and body when stressful things happen in our lives.
Experiencing a crisis? See these crisis and safety resources.
Resources for Professionals
Looking for resources to help patients and clients experience nature? See Professional Resources within the Stress Busters for Community-Based Organizations toolkit.
Resources for Everyone
Want tips and tools to help you get out in nature? The following articles, videos, and audio tools can help.
General
- DID YOU KNOW? Being in Nature Can Help Prevent and Manage Stress (ACEs Aware)
- Experiencing Nature Stress Buster Video (California Virtual Training Academy Resources)
- Spend Time in Nature to Reduce Stress and Anxiety (American Heart Association)
- 3 Ways Betting Outside into Nature Helps Improve Your Health (UC Davis)
Find A Forest or Park Near You
- Find a Forest Near You (Discover the Forest)
- Find a California State Park (California Department of Parks and Recreation)
- Find Your Outside (AllTrails)
Age-Specific
- Stress Health: Nature (Center for Youth Wellness)
- Learn more about how nature helps children recover from ACEs (Children and Nature Network Resources)
- Live Beyond Campaign: Get Outside (Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative)
- Move Your Way: Make Gardening a Workout (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)
- 5 Secret Health Benefits of Gardening (AARP)
- Exercising Outdoors: Safety Tips for Older Adults (National Institute on Aging)
Community Groups
- Black Men Hike
- 510 Hikers
- Latino Outdoors
- Hiking clubs in California
- Urban Farming
- Outdoor Afro
- Unlikely Hikers
- Disabled & Outdoors (Instagram)
- Disabled Hikers
- The Garden Club of America Find a Club
Community Programs and Therapists
- Adventure-based treatment programs (e.g., white-water river rafting, surfing, fly-fishing, rock climbing):
- Gateway Mountain Center: (Therapeutic services covered by Medi-Cal)
- Veteran Outdoor Alliance
- Find therapists who specialize in gardening therapy (American Horticultural Therapy Association)
ACCESSIBILITY
- National Park Service Accessibility information: Accessible features, programs, and services in parks; see the map to Find a Park
- Disabled Hikers Trail Guides
- California Parks Disabled Discount Pass for people with permanent disabilities
- America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Access Pass for people with permanent disabilities
- Free Beach Wheelchairs: California Coastal Commission
Download the complete set of Stress Busters handouts. English and Spanish included.
Download the complete set of Stress Busters handouts. English and Spanish included.
