Full calendars, busy work weeks and weekend commitments. For many of us, the natural world isn’t wrapped up in everyday life anymore; it’s something we have to make time to visit.
It’s time to weave nature back into the everyday.
Created by the Nature Connectedness Research Group of the University of Derby, the 5 pathways to nature connection are research-backed routes that can help us deepen our connection to the natural world.
The 5 pathways...
Contact
Beauty
Meaning
Emotion
Compassion
It’s the first time our ‘nature connectedness’ has been examined in a methodical way, and it means that these pathways can be a useful tool for nature orgs and others to guide their work in helping to boost wellbeing and environmentalism in the UK.
With nature so closely linked to happier and healthier lives, everyone needs to find ways to connect with nature.
“The pathways provide a framework and plenty of ways to make nature part of your life, depending on what works for you. From being out, active and in contact, to reflecting on meaning, there are many ways to make nature part of your everyday being.”
- Prof. Miles Richardson, Professor of Human Factors & Nature Connectedness.
Below we highlight each pathway and include some ideas on how you can intentionally use them next time you step outside...
1. Contact
It’s time to get up close and personal. When was the last time you felt the earth under your feet? Sand, soil, grass or maybe even a little beach pebble ~reflexology~.
Connecting physically with the natural world can bring a deeper sense of appreciation and awareness of the world around us.
Noticing nature through touch, sound and even smell can help to build our connection with nature.
Some things to try…
- Walk barefoot in the grass
- Brave a dip in the sea!
- Stop and smell those roses
- Listen to birdsong
2. Beauty
Take a moment to actually ‘pause’ and reflect on the patterns, colours and scenery that make up the natural world.
Notice the way sunlight filters through leaves, the moody colours of a stormy sky or how lichen often grows on the North side of a tree trunk. Being still helps you really see the beauty of what surrounds you.
Some things to try…
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Connect with the beauty of nature through painting or other creative hobbies
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Use your phone or camera to capture little details — dew on the grass in the morning, a perfectly formed shell, or a wildflower you notice on a walk
3. Meaning
Recent studies that focused on the 5 pathways to nature connection found that one of the most beneficial pathways is often to find meaning in nature.
The ‘meaning’ pathway is about bringing nature into the daily or annual rituals of our lives and recognising what it means to us.
Some things to try…
- Keep a nature journal and sketch or write down the symbolism and feelings you notice when outdoors
- Celebrate seasonal or celestial events like the spring equinox or summer solstice
- Swap stories with friends and family about your favourite bird, flower or season!
- Try to eat seasonally to value the fruits + veggies that are on offer in your part of the world
4. Emotion
Tune in to the emotional responses that you notice when you're experiencing nature. From goosebumps as you watch the stars to awe at standing underneath a tall tree.
Let the scale and beauty of nature fill you with wonder — it's powerful, calming, and deeply human.
Some things to try…
- Go outside when you're sad, happy, confused, or excited — and let nature meet you where you are.
- Try walking meditation or mindful breathing while outdoors. Let your senses guide you instead of your thoughts.
- Notice how birdsong makes you feel or how you feel when next to the ocean
5. Compassion
The compassion pathway is the recognition that we have a place in nature, but also a role to play in protecting it.
Trying to reduce our negative impact on the natural world and treating the natural world with respect.
Leading by example and sharing this compassion with others, especially young people, is also an important part of connecting to nature.
Some things to try…
- Plant pollinator-friendly plants
- Join a local nature group
- Make your buying habits a little more sustainable
- Talk to young family members about the natural world!
Even in a fast-paced world, nature is always there — sometimes we just have to see it.
Whether it’s five minutes with the sun on your face or a pause with your morning coffee to listen to birdsong, every moment of connection matters.
Use these pathways as a reference for how you can reconnect with nature in the little moments of everyday life.
