Summer, Nature, and Mental Wellness: Reconnecting for Resilience
Summer in Florida is more than just heat and sunshine—it's a season filled with opportunities to reconnect with ourselves, our families, and the natural world around us.
At Hispanic Family Counseling, we believe that wellness is not only found in therapy rooms—it can also bloom outdoors, where nature becomes a powerful tool for healing, calming the mind, and building emotional strength.
🌞 Nature: A Natural Medicine for the Mind
Spending time in nature has been proven to:
Reduce stress and anxiety
Improve focus and mood
Boost resilience in children and adults
Help regulate emotions and improve sleep
And the best part? It’s free and accessible. Whether it’s your backyard, a neighborhood park, or a short trip to the beach or forest—nature welcomes us as we are.
🌳 Summer Activities to Connect With Nature
Here are simple, screen-free ways to nourish your family’s emotional health outdoors this summer:
1. Mindful Nature Walks
Encourage children to walk slowly and notice what they see, hear, and smell. Ask them to collect a "nature treasure" like a rock or leaf, and talk about what it reminds them of.
2. Create a Backyard Wellness Spot
Lay out a blanket under a tree, bring water, books, or art supplies, and spend 30 minutes relaxing together—no agenda, just presence.
3. Nature Journaling
Use a notebook to draw or write about the shapes of clouds, colors of flowers, or even the sounds of birds. Include gratitude reflections: “What did nature teach me today?”
4. Family Forest Therapy Moments
Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), spend quiet time among trees. Breathe slowly. Notice. Just be. Even 15 minutes can help reset a stressed mind.
🌈 Why Nature Supports Resilience
Children and adults alike build emotional strength when they slow down, disconnect from devices, and tune into nature. It helps:
Regulate the nervous system
Encourage creativity and problem-solving
Improve social connections through shared outdoor play
When families share outdoor experiences, they also strengthen communication and bonding—essential elements for emotional resilience.
💚 Make it Intentional
This summer, try setting one simple goal:
“Let’s be outside together at least 3 times a week.”
It doesn’t have to be big or expensive. Even a walk at sunset or sitting under the stars can spark meaningful moments—and mental clarity.
Final Words
Healing doesn't always require a couch. Sometimes, it looks like dirt under our fingernails, sand in our shoes, or sun on our face.
Nature reminds us that everything grows at its own pace, and so do we.
Let this summer be a season of grounding, growing, and remembering how good it feels to just be.
And remember, we’re here to support your family’s emotional wellness—inside and out.
Hispanic Family Counseling – Because healing is rooted in connection.
By:Sheila Burgos