How Nature Resets Our Brain Chemistry (And Why We Need More Green in Our Lives)
I often see it happen here at Bahia Mar...
Guests arrive tense, distracted, and carrying the weight of a busy, noisy life. And then… something begins to shift. The shoulders drop. The breathing slows. The eyes soften. At first, it seems like “holiday mode,” but, as a yoga teacher, I know it’s something deeper - it’s their brain chemistry starting to change. And the secret ingredient? Nature.
Your Brain on Nature
Science now confirms what many of us have felt instinctively all our lives: time in nature changes the way our brains work.
Just a few minutes outdoors can reduce cortisol (our stress hormone), increase serotonin and dopamine (our feel-good neurotransmitters), and activate the parasympathetic nervous system - the one responsible for rest, repair and digestion.
It’s not just about “getting fresh air”, It’s about recalibrating your entire system, reminding your brain and body what calm really feels like.
The Green Effect
Research shows that spending time in green spaces can improve memory, focus and creativity. In Japan, the practice of Shinrin-yoku - forest bathing - has been linked to lower blood pressure, stronger immune function and better sleep.
Here in Mozambique, I see the same effect when guests spend their mornings in the garden, afternoons on the beach or evenings under the acacia trees.
Nature works on us quietly. While we notice the beauty of nature - the waves, the trees, the birdsong - our nervous system is quietly rewriting its script: from alert and reactive to calm, open and receptive.
Why We Need It Now More Than Ever
Modern life pulls us indoors and online. We live surrounded by concrete, screens and artificial light most of the time of the day. The human brain, our brains, originally designed for wide horizons and to listen to the sound of wind through leaves or to smell the wildlife natural scents are now constantly processing notifications, bothered by traffic noise and flashed by neon lights.
It’s no wonder we feel mentally exhausted. Without green time, we lose our natural reset button.
Tips: Bringing Nature Into Everyday Life
> Take your morning coffee outside (by the window, on the varanda or in a public garden if you live near one) and try to gaze your look as further as you can to the horizon.
> Walk under trees instead of down busy streets (even if you need to divert from your normal route... choose nature over concrete).
> Keep plants in your home or office (bring green closer to you).
> Spend a few minutes barefoot on the grass (as I always say to my students in my yoga class, it doesn't matter how it looks to others, it matters how it feels inside).
> Stop for a moment. Watch the clouds. Listen to the rain. Hear the birds.
As you see, It doesn’t have to be a grand escape - just regular, intentional moments of connection.
The Bahia Mar Way
At Bahia Mar, nature isn’t just the backdrop - it’s part of the healing. Our retreats are designed to weave in green and blue spaces throughout your stay. Yoga on the deck with the sound of waves. Meditation under the palm trees. Walks along the coast at sunrise.
It’s not a luxury - it’s just how we were meant to live.
So next time you’re feeling stressed, scattered, or low… step outside. Let the wind touch your face. Look at something green. Slow down your thoughts. Let nature remind your brain - and your whole and entire being - how to come home to yourself.
Until next time,
Be gentle with yourself. 🌿
Lots of Love 💚
Susana
Watch this space:
Next post coming September 15th: The Magic of Morning Rituals (And How They Can Transform Your Day).
We’ll explore how starting the day with small, intentional habits - whether it’s sunrise yoga, mindful breathing or a simple cup of tea in stillness - can completely shift your energy and mindset and change your life.
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