Why Nature Is My Favorite Reset

Being in nature puts my life into perspective. It reminds me just how tiny my problems really are. Being outside provides evidence that everything is fleeting, like a sunrise, a rainbow or a summer bloom. And it reminds me what a miracle it is for me to even exist.

Nature reminds me of the interconnectedness of everything around me. It takes me into a reality that isn't full of social constructs. Nature is simple and beautiful. And nature is truth. There is no cheating or bargaining with it, just honest consequence.

When I’m overwhelmed, burned out, or spinning in every direction, nature invites me back to the present without asking anything in return. It is a reset. Standing among trees, with my feet on the earth, reminds me that I'm a part of something steady and ancient-and that I don’t have to solve everything right this second.

The Science of Slowing Down Outside

It turns out, science agrees with what so many of us feel intuitively: time in nature resets our nervous systems. Researchers have discovered that even just 20 minutes in a natural setting can significantly lower cortisol (your stress hormone), blood pressure, and heart rate.

Being in nature also improves our immunity, as phytoncides from trees enhance NK cell function for days. And nature taps into what scientists call "soft fascination"—that feeling of awe during a majestic sunset—which raises serotonin and dopamine.

But the real magic seems to happen with intentional time.

Author and researcher Michael Easter calls it the 20-5-3 Rule:
20 minutes in nature, 3x a week – improves mood and clarity
5 hours a month in semi-wild spaces – reduces anxiety and boosts focus
3 days off-grid – triggers a full mental and physical reset

Easter also shares what researchers have named the “Three-Day Effect.” After about three days away from screens, noise, and the demands of daily life, something shifts. Our brainwaves settle. We become more creative, more grounded, and more at peace. We sleep better. We stop constantly bracing for what’s next.

And that’s the thing, so many of us are bracing all the time. There are so many demands on us in all directions, we’re just constantly preparing for the next stressor.

The Ritual of Noticing

In my day-to-day life, mindfulness is often something I have to really concentrate on. Usually, I’m rushing through tasks, trying to knock out lines on my to-do list.

Nature is a place that feels like a break from all of the demands. I get to notice the little details:

• Watching the breeze ripple through tall grass
• Listening to water flow in and out
• Feeling the wind lift my hair off my shoulders or the sunshine warm my face
• The unexpected joy at seeing an owl watching me from a branch

These tiny moments move me from doing to being.

A Reset You Can Return To

This idea of nature as a “reset” is something I’ve built into the Yummi Mummis community, especially in our Wellness 101 course. It’s not about escaping life, but about coming back to it more clearly.

So, your call to action, Mummis: Take a moment today to step outside. Bonus points if you incorporate movement, like jogging or walking. Your bodies- and your families- will benefit.

Here are a few simple ways to start:

• 15–30 minute mindful walk in a local park or forest

• Grounding: walk barefoot on grass to activate parasympathetic response

• Sensory pause: Step outside, breathe deeply, name five things you see/hear/touch

• “Phytoncide intentionality”: Deep breaths under the tree canopy to support your immunity

Note: If you’re interested in learning more about the Three-Day Effect or Michael Easter’s work, I suggest starting with his book, The Comfort Crisis. A great read (or listen!).

Let this be your invitation to return to yourself.

With love,
Sam

PS. I will be taking my own advice this week. Logging off to reset my love of life- will share nature pics soon 🌴💗

✨ If this message resonates...

I invite you to join our free Yummi Mummis community. A space for moms who are learning to slow down, reconnect with their bodies, and restore their calm and their energy (I know- it sounds like an oxymoron, but it's possible!). Inside you'll find free resources, mindful routines, and genuine connection with other moms walking the same path. 💖