Human beings have long understood that nature holds restorative powers fundamental to well-being. Think of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s exhortation to “live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” But since the Industrial Revolution, many of us have lost touch with nature, at great cost to our physical, mental, and emotional health. That’s unfortunate, because we need it more than ever: the World Health Organization estimates that since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there has been a 25 percent increase in the global prevalence of anxiety and depression.
People are more disconnected from themselves, one another, and the planet than ever before. This detachment is taking its toll in the workplace: employees have told their organizations that they are desperate to get away from endless work commitments, particularly since the boundaries between job and home have blurred for millions around the globe. At the same time, people have found joy in being outside in nature, particularly during lockdowns. Many have realized that nature is something they are drawn to when feeling distressed or down.