Stepping outside, even for a few minutes, can reset the mind, lift the spirit and restore balance
Out in the woods I wasn’t scrambling for my phone or thinking about work deadlines. My attention span seemed to lengthen and level out. I relaxed,” says Jodie M. Smith, a Mayo Clinic nurse practitioner, reflecting on how nature creates a mental reset—freeing people from distraction and stress while fostering focus and peace. This simple yet profound shift—what happens when we step outdoors—is at the heart of a growing body of research and personal testimony: nature heals, she said.
The science behind the calm
“Spending time in nature can improve mood, lower anxiety and improve cognition and memory,” says Smith in her article “The Mental Health Benefits of Nature.” She asserts making time for the outdoors is vital to maintain resiliency and promote self-care in a world that constantly demands our attention.
According to Smith, the benefits can be almost immediate. A purposeful five-minute walk outdoors can reset the mind, while consistent exposure helps reduce cumulative stress that might otherwise lead to chronic illness or burnout, she explains. “Slow down, go outside, notice what’s around you,” Smith advises. “Listen to the birds and the wind and the crackling of the leaves under your feet, and you really will notice a benefit in your well-being.
A student’s journey with outdoors
For Galileo Abrecht, a junior from Argentina double-majoring in business finance and economics, nature has been more than just a backdrop—it’s been a companion. He said his love for the outdoors began during high school in Germany, where he often wandered through a riverside park. “I’d go there, walk for hours and listen to music before heading home. That’s when I really began connecting with nature,” he recalled.
Now balancing classes, clubs and jobs, Abrecht said he finds refuge in Laie’s natural landscapes. “This semester has been really busy. … Recently, I went to see the sunrise at a friend’s backyard just drinking “mate” (a traditional South American drink) together. Simple moments like that calm me down. Even walking home late at night—20 minutes in the quiet—helps reset my mind.”
For Abrecht, the outdoors functions like a reset button. “After being in classes and working from 8 to 5, going outside—even for just 30 minutes—makes everything disappear,” he said.When he comes back, he’s more focused, productive and has a fresh perspective, he added.
Finding healing spaces
Abrecht said he has a personal map of healing spots: Laniloa “Bikini” beach for morning runs, Laie Point for sunsets, Moku‘Auia "Castle" Beach for surfing and stargazing by Shaka Shake at PCC at night. Each place offers a different kind of restoration—whether solitude, friendship or spiritual connection, he said.
“Many people prefer staying indoors, watching movies or playing video games,” Abrecht added. “But for me, staying inside all day feels like I accomplished nothing,” he said. Abrecht said being outdoors even for 15 minutes helps him think, connect with himself and even with God.
Like Abrecht, Stephen Pecaoco, a psychology senior from the Philippines, sees nature as both an escape and a mirror—showing him who he is when the noise fades. “We underestimate how powerful outdoors is,” he said. “But the moment I step outside, I remember how grounding it is,” Pecaoco reflected. Nature puts things in perspective—it reminds us that the world is and our problems are small, Pecaoco said. “That knowledge is freeing and humbling.”
The stillness of the sea
For Pecaoco, one experience stands out vividly. “I paddled with my friends to Chinaman’s Hat the other day, and it was one of those moments that walked the line of the sacred,” he said. “The world just came to a halt—nothing but a peaceful ocean, still air and all-but-fairy-tale-appearing mountains,” he recalled. He said, describing the experience, there was no noise, no rush—just silence. “And in the silence, I felt everything slow down. And for a moment, life was simple and whole again.”
As a soon-to-be graduate, Pecaoco said he feels the weight of uncertainties. Yet the ocean, he said, always brings him back to center. “Nature allows me to catch my breath. It recharges my batteries and reminds me that life need not go any faster than it has to,” he shared. If he goes outside, he then return to his studies and obligations with a sharper head and a lighter heart, he explained.
The gentle teacher
The outdoors has become Pecaoco’s teacher in patience and gratitude, he said. “Even during the most overwhelming moments in my life, going outside has this gentle manner of reminding me that there is still loveliness surrounding me—that the world continues to turn, and so can I.”
Pecaoco said his favorite outdoor classroom is the coast. “I like to sit by the beach, read a book while listening to the rhythm of the waves. The sun’s warmth, the sea breeze—it’s all healing,” he said. “Sometimes I’ll just lie on the grass, feel the earth beneath me and remind myself to be present.”
When Pecaoco is with friends, he said they pick shells, chase sunsets or hang hammocks between trees and sleep under the stars. “Moments like those make me appreciate how great it is to be alive,” he said. He shared such experiences to remind him that joy doesn’t have to be loud—it can be found in silence, in stillness and in being.
Going outdoors as a daily ritual
Pecaoco said he makes it a point to take a hike once a week—or walk down to the beach if time is short. “Taking in the view of the ocean, breathing the fresh air or feeling the sand under my feet—it all makes me feel at home,” he said. Abrecht said the same, stating that even a brief outdoor walk after a long day “can make everything else disappear.”
Both students find that stepping outside clears the clutter of daily life. Pecaoco said he calls it his “reconnection with life,” while Abrecht said he sees it as his “reset button.” Each returns indoors with a sense of renewal—calmer, clearer and more grounded, they said.
A quiet prescription
If Pecaoco could offer advice, he said it would be simple: “Let outside remind you who you are.” He added, “Step outside and allow yourself to start again.” He said nature cleans the clamor of life. “It’s where you can relax, feel and remember that you’re still growing—quietly but surely.”
Looking ahead, Pecaoco said he knows that the outdoors will remain part of his personal healing. “Nature will always be my sanctuary—a place where I’m at my truest self.” He said such experiences remind him of his purpose and his faith. “Standing in the vastness of the sea, I sense God’s presence most—guiding, comforting and reminding me I am never alone.”