Enjoying the Silence in Nature

by Korede Alausa

For my activity, I participated in a mindfulness exercise by sitting silently on a park bench for 20 minutes. I truly enjoyed this experience and was able to learn more about myself in the process. I was pleasantly surprised that I did not get distracted by outside forces, and even more surprised by how much I enjoyed simply sitting in stillness. It was very calming. Taking intentional time to be aware of my surroundings allowed me to slow down and be fully present.

This activity gave me the opportunity to observe not only the park itself, but also the people around me. I noticed small details I normally would have overlooked. The experience improved my mood and decreased my stress levels. Being in nature feels freeing to me, and the beautiful weather made it even easier to connect with the environment. During those 20 minutes, my mind felt at ease. I wasn’t thinking about upcoming events or assignments. Instead, I felt grounded and present. Through this experience, I was able to deepen my relationship with nature by intentionally observing and appreciating everything the environment had to offer.

As a park prescription, I would recommend walking and taking advantage of the sidewalks and trails available in Fort Worth. The city offers many accessible trails and walking paths for community members. Walking is free, requires no special equipment, and is easy to incorporate into daily routines, making it a realistic nature-based prescription.

Nurses can use nature-based prescriptions as a low-cost way to promote physical, social, and mental health at both the individual and community levels. On the individual level, nurses can write a specific and structured nature prescription. For example, they could outline what activity a patient should do outdoors, how long they should do it, and how many times per week. On the community level, nurses can promote health by organizing outdoor events such as group walks, mindfulness sessions, or community gatherings in local parks. These strategies make nature accessible and encourage healthier lifestyles in a supportive environment.