The Outdoor Psychologist

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The Outdoor Psychologist

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09/05/2025

Spending more of my creative energy on Substack these days. It feels good to write without chasing algorithms, just space for ideas, stories, and deeper conversations.

This week’s post dives into the science behind the phrase ‘touch grass’ 🌱 from internet meme to mental health reset. Would love for you to read and join the conversation (link in stories)

04/12/2025

In a world that feels like it’s unraveling, hope is not naive. It grows when we choose to stay connected - to each other, to the Earth, and to what we love. In allowing ourselves to grieve, we remember how deeply we care ❤️‍🩹🌱

03/26/2025

Have you ever thought about why people say, “Get back to nature”? 🌱

03/17/2025

The idea that getting the thing, whatever it is, will make you feel worthy or enough, is a mirage. Companies spend millions on marketing in an effort to make you feel like you’re not enough as you are, and that what you have isn’t enough already. This would be a purely psychological issue, except the planet can’t keep up with our overconsumption habit, which also makes it an environmental issue. Think before you spend, your wallet, and the planet, will thank you 🌎🙏🏼

03/08/2025

Feeling ungrounded lately? Try beginning your day with a simple yet powerful morning grounding ritual that helps regulate your nervous system and foster a sense of presence. Upon waking, stand or sit facing the sunlight, allowing natural light to signal your brain that it’s time to wake up. Plant your feet firmly on the ground, feeling the support beneath you. Close your eyes and take deep, rhythmic breaths—slow inhales through your nose and long, steady exhales—activating the parasympathetic nervous system to create a sense of calm. As you breathe, visualize roots extending from the soles of your feet, reaching down into the earth below. Let those roots travel deeper, anchoring you safely to the Earth’s core, providing stability and connection. With each breath, feel energy flowing through you in a natural exchange—receiving nourishment from the Earth and releasing tension in return. This practice not only fosters a sense of grounding but also enhances vagal tone, helping to regulate emotions and reduce stress. When you feel complete, slowly open your eyes and carry this sense of rootedness into your day, moving forward with clarity and calm.

02/28/2025

Imagine navigating life without overthinking—just sensing, adapting, and flowing. Starfish do exactly that. Without a centralized brain, they move through the world using a network of nerves, each arm sensing, responding, and adjusting in perfect sync with the whole. They don’t rely on rigid control or hesitation—they simply feel their way forward, fully attuned to their surroundings. When injured, they regenerate, rebuilding what was lost. Similarly, our brains have the ability to rewire and heal through neuroplasticity, forming new pathways in response to experience. Like the starfish, we thrive not by forcing control but by deepening our awareness—tuning in, adapting, and moving with life rather than against it. When we shift from overthinking to sensing, from resistance to presence, we tap into something deeper: a way of living that is more connected, intuitive, and regenerative, just as nature intended ✨

02/22/2025

A study in Frontiers in Psychology found that physically touching tree bark or walking barefoot on forest soil activates sensory receptors in the skin that are linked to the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting calm and relaxation. The unique texture and temperature of tree bark create a grounding effect, similar to the principles of tactile therapy or grounding techniques used to reduce anxiety. Participants in the study who engaged in mindful touching of trees reported lower levels of anxiety and improved mood compared to those in the control group. Researchers suggest that this sensory connection to natural materials helps shift attention away from ruminative thoughts, reducing activity in the default mode network (DMN) of the brain, which is associated with overthinking and worry. These findings align with broader research on nature exposure, which has been shown to reduce activity in the amygdala, the brain’s fear and stress center.

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Santa Barbara, CA

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http://www.outdoorpsychologist.com/

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