Healy shared the benefits that check all the boxes: physical, mental and emotional. She explained what actually happens to our bodies when we are surrounded by elements of nature.
“ A few years ago I was writing a book and searching for how do we change the brain? How do we change our biology? How do we heal?” she shared. “I stumbled across this research about nature and how it can do that for us.”
Phytoncides From Trees
Healy explained that trees and shrubs release protective compounds called phytoncides. They help the plants ward off insects and disease, but they benefit us too.
“When we breathe them in, it activates white blood cells in our body and helps us fight viruses and illness,” she said. “ So that tranquil feeling as you’re walking through the forest, it’s actually your immune system getting a boost.”
Soothing Fractal Patterns
Healy explained that even the visual aspect of nature hits your brain differently. She said that natural elements like leaves, coastlines and tree branches contain repeated shapes called fractal patterns.
“The brain loves fractal patterns because it soothes us,” she explained. “ They’re really easy to process, comparative to like, a screen and all the busy visuals, or in the city that gives us sensory overwhelm.”
Those overwhelming visuals put our brains into threat and detection, where fractal patterns actually do the opposite.
“They lower our blood pressure and our heart rate and they deepen our breathing,” she noted. “ Just three minutes exposed in nature will start to regulate the brain.”
Mycobacterium Vaccae & Grounding
Healy explained that there is a microorganism in the soil, mycobacterium vaccae, that emits serotonin.
“ Serotonin lifts mood and restores emotional balance, and so digging in the dirt, gardening, it really elevates,” she emphasized.
She also explained that the earth has a small electrical charge, and when we connect to it, it does amazing things.
Benefits of Grounding
- Better sleep
- Reduced pain
- Improved mood
- Lower inflammation levels
- Emotional connection
“ There are so many benefits to just physically touching the earth or the sand. Anything like that will emit all those chemicals that help us heal,” Healy said.
Kids Benefit Even More From Time Outdoors
Healy said the outdoors impact children in unique ways. She shared a photo of her son covered head‑to‑toe in dirt, recalling how different he seemed after outdoor play.
@gingerhealy
“It shifts him, it calms him, it soothes him, it changes him,” she said.
She emphasized all the benefits kids see from playing outside and spending time in nature:
Benefits of Outdoor Time for Kids
- Improved attention
- Increased physical activity
- Reduced stress
- Helps with emotional regulation
- Strengthens creativity and social skills