Research on the topic of being solitary in nature – as opposed to the well-documented effects of simply being in nature – is still very new. But we can speculate about what may be going on when those two states are combined. In our Solitude Lab, we’ve heard from adventurers of all calibers that the combination of solitude and nature can foster a kind of supercharged state that seems to enhance the benefits of both nature and solitude while conferring entirely new benefits of it own. Here we discuss nature’s effects on people, soft fascination, and attention restoration theory.

Connection with nature offers physical and mental benefits throughout our life. Older individuals with access to nature have improved mental health and cognitive function, fewer physical complaints, and increased social interaction, all of which are key to our well-being. But four out of five Americans and over half of all people globally, live in urban areas with limited access to natural places. Americans spend more than 90% of their time indoors, and many spend nearly half their day on screens working or consuming media. Individuals who are more connected to nature are happier and feel more vitality. Chapter details 16 evidence based health benefits of nature. Fewer complaints about pain and sleep. Nature connections reduce stress, agitation, anger and depression—therapeutic for people with mental health problems or Alzheimer Disease