Nature’s antidote to modern burnout

Burnout is impacting more people than ever.

But, what if the antidote was as simple as stepping outside?

A new study by outdoor app AllTrails and cabin company Unyoked, found that immersing yourself in nature might be the most effective way to combat burnout and boost overall wellbeing.

The research involved 407 volunteers who spent over 17,000 hours in nature, completely disconnecting from daily routines and digital life.

Study participants saw a 16% reduction in burnout symptoms after just two nights in nature.

The study’s key findings

Nature beats mindfulness for burnout reduction. Spending time in nature was 47% more effective at reducing burnout than mindfulness practices. Participants saw a 16% reduction in burnout symptoms after just two nights in nature.

Outdoor time trumps other interventions. Nature immersion improved overall wellbeing by 12.7%, outperforming established interventions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness by significant margins.

A deeper connection. Participants reported a 10.4% increase in their feeling of connectedness to nature, which was twice as effective as time spent in urban green spaces.

After their time in nature, study participants felt more relaxed, clear-headed, and optimistic. Many highlighted the benefits of slowing down and being more mindful away from everyday distractions.

An expert perspective

Highlighting the value of the study’s findings, Dr. Aileen Alegado, a clinical psychologist and Unyoked ambassador states, “I commend the study for highlighting compelling results that nature-based therapies not only yield significant improvements in measures of wellbeing but deliver superior outcomes compared to well-established interventions like mindfulness and CBT.”

Dr. Alegado also notes its potential impact on burnout treatment, explaining, “This gives clinicians like myself confidence to advocate for nature-based interventions and look at how ecotherapy can be integrated into mainstream mental health treatments.”

The bottom line

One of the most powerful tools for improving our mental health could be right outside our door. By disconnecting from our devices and reconnecting with nature, we can take steps to combat burnout, boost wellbeing, and forge a deeper connection with the world around us.