Sami Stidham (IES Abroad Barcelona 2023 | University of Wisconsin- Madison), our current Marketing Intern and 2023 Film Festival Winner, is a long time lover of nature, and has relied on Mother Earth for her mental health and wellbeing. She's here to share what she's learned.
Sami Stidham
May 5, 2025
Somewhere around high school, I found myself the unwitting hostess to two uninvited guests: anxiety and OCD. Over the years we have, for better or for worse, become more and more acquainted. The thing is, I was on pretty good terms with both of them before studying abroad. Then, about a month into my semester in Barcelona, my guests began to overstep, taking up far too much room in my brain.
I couldn't make sense of it. I’d dealt with mental health struggles for years, but I honestly didn’t think studying abroad would impact it very much. I was raised in a pretty adventurous family, so traveling, figuring out directions, interacting with different ways of living, and even being on my own wasn’t entirely new to me. I wanted that challenge of existing in the unfamiliar, and I was loving it!
So, why was my anxiety and OCD on the rise? In my search for a cause, the IES Abroad staff helped me get into contact with a local, English speaking therapist. During our first session, we talked about effective mental health strategies I’d used in the past. That’s when it hit me: I needed to hug a tree.
Now before you roll your eyes, hear me out.
I grew up on hiking trails, in National Parks, and literally hugging trees with my mom. I am a proud barefoot-tree-huggin'-hippy, and my relationship with nature has become an intrinsic part of my mental health management. I just hadn't translated that to my life in Barcelona.
Barcelona is a truly amazing place to live, and I fell in love with it for so many reasons. However, it is a big city, which means nature isn't always right in front of you, you have to seek it out. Once I realized that’s what I needed, everything changed. Through my own research, and the help of my local therapist, I found natural spaces, and made a more conscious effort to spend time there. Immediately my anxiety and OCD began to improve.
Now, I’m not saying that you can just go outside, touch grass, and all your problems will be solved—far from it. Mental health is a complex and personal issue, and what works for one person might not work for someone else. That being said, fostering your relationship and connection with nature can be a powerful tool in your mental health toolbox. But don’t just take my word for it...
What does science say about this?
Although the connection between nature and mental health is still a relatively new area of study, there is a plethora of research that supports the benefits of this relationship.
For example, a study published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, had participants go on a walk in either a natural setting, or an urban setting. Those in the nature group showed decreased activity in a key area of the brain that’s been linked to depression and other mental health concerns. However, those in the urban group did not experience the same positive results.
A 2019 study in Denmark compared residence access to nature during childhood to their mental health outcomes later in life. They surveyed data from over 900,000 individuals, and found that children raised with more natural spaces were significantly less likely to develop mental health disorders. However, those who grew up with the lowest access to nature had a 55% higher risk of developing mental health concerns, even after accounting for other contributing factors.
Yet another study, from the National Library of Medicine, had participants engage in a stress task followed by 30 minutes of either reading or gardening to relieve stress. They found that those who gardened had significantly lower levels of cortisol, your body's “stress hormone,” compared to those who read to de-stress.
So, what can you do to access nature abroad?
1.) Do your research before you leave. Some abroad locations will have easier access to nature than others. Studying abroad in the Galápagos Islands will look different from a more urban setting like Paris. Both fantastic choices, just different environments. When you’re considering options, try exploring Google Maps, dive into some YouTube videos, or take a look at some student blogs. This can give you a better idea of what each location is really like, and help you find what works best for you.
2.) Explore your piece of the world. If you've already chosen your location, or you’re abroad right now, get out there! Do some research, ask a local, or go exploring yourself to find those more natural spaces. From Ueno Park in Tokyo, to Tres de Febrero Park in Buenos Aires, or Parc del Laberint d'Horta in Barcelona, there are green spaces to be found everywhere, even if you’re in a big city. All you have to do is look.
3.) Take a day trip/weekend trip. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, or you’re craving for even more, expand your search. Hop in a plane, or a boat, or a train and head for wilder country. Not sure where to start? Just ask the IES Abroad staff at your program center. They can help get you connected with lots of awesome opportunities including field trips that take you on adventures outside your city.
4.) Go on a virtual journey. We all know too much time on screens can have negative effects on our wellbeing. But if you can’t access nature in person, doing it virtually can still be beneficial. In fact, one study found that listening to bird songs can help decrease stress.
5.) Bring the outdoors in. Try decorating your room/living space with some greenery. According to some studies, even pictures of natural spaces can improve your mood, and attention.
6.) Catch some rays. Simply spending time in the sunshine has also been linked to improved mental health and wellbeing. A 2021 study found that spending more time in sunlight can improve mood and wellbeing.
7.) Explore the resources at IES Abroad. The staff at IES Abroad are there to help you, not just academically, but in every aspect of your study abroad journey. If you think you need something more, or something different, just reach out!
Exploring the green spaces in Barcelona, and fostering my relationship with Mother Nature while abroad not only helped me in my mental health journey, but it deepened my experience in my host city as a whole. That’s always been a vital tool in my toolbox, but whatever your toolbox looks like, make it you. Just like studying abroad, mental health journeys are unique!
