Finding Peace Outdoors: Veterans and Nature’s Healing Power

The Weight Veterans Carry

When I was in the Marines, we learned to push our bodies and minds to the limit. We carried heavy packs, marched for miles, and stayed sharp in all conditions. We were always “on.” Even after I came home, that sense of alertness never left. The noise in my head often felt louder than anything else.

Over time, I discovered something simple but powerful: stepping outside could help quiet that noise. It wasn’t instant, and it didn’t erase everything, but when I slowed down and noticed the world around me, nature became more than scenery; it became part of my healing.

For many veterans, that pack we carried doesn’t come off easily. It’s filled with memories, the habit of scanning for danger, and the pressure to stay strong. That constant state of alert keeps your body tense and your brain running in overdrive, making it hard to sleep or relax. Finding safe ways to set that weight down, even for a few moments, can change everything.

Why Nature Helps Veterans Heal

Getting outdoors isn’t just about breathing fresh air; it’s about giving your mind a reset. The real benefit comes from mindfulness, or focusing on the present moment.

When I first started walking trails after leaving the Corps, I still scanned the tree line like I was on patrol. But when I slowed down, I began to notice the small things: a woodpecker in the distance, the smell of damp earth, sunlight coming through the branches. That shift from hypervigilance to awareness is mindfulness in action. The Marine Corps has even explored this approach in its own ranks. Practicing Mindfulness the Marine Corps Way Leads to Mental Resilience shows how service members use breathing and focus techniques to build mental toughness and recovery skills.

Research backs this up. A National Institutes of Health study found that veterans who spend time in nature report lower stress and reduced PTSD symptoms even after a single day outside. Programs like Project Healing Waters, Warrior Expeditions, and the VA’s Mindfulness Coach app have all shown measurable improvements in mood and sleep among participating veterans.

“Even short outdoor experiences—walking, fishing, gardening—can lower cortisol levels and improve emotional regulation,”
— Department of Veterans Affairs report on complementary and integrative health (2024)

Simple Ways to Start

You don’t need to summit a mountain to benefit from nature. The goal is to slow down and pay attention. Try these approaches:

• Take a Walk: Head to a local park or nearby base trail. Don’t focus on distance; focus on what you see, hear, and feel. Pay attention to the rhythm of your breath or the sound of your boots on the path.
• Find Water: Rivers, lakes, and shorelines naturally calm the body. Sit near moving water and match your breathing to its rhythm.
• Get Your Hands Dirty: Gardening or landscaping can retrain your focus from survival to growth. Many VA programs and community gardens offer adaptive tools and raised beds for veterans.
• Join a Group: Look for veteran hiking or fishing clubs in your area. Many nonprofits offer free outdoor retreats for service members and their families.

Building Connection Outside the Wire

One of the hardest parts of leaving the military is losing your team. The outdoors can help bring that back. I’ll never forget my first group hike with other vets. We didn’t have to talk about the past we just moved together. The laughter, the challenge, the quiet between steps, it all rebuilt something I thought I’d lost.

Veteran-focused outdoor programs like Outdoor Adventure Therapy Program for Veterans, Team Red, White & Blue, and Sierra Club Military Outdoors give former service members space to rebuild camaraderie without pressure. The mission isn’t about readiness anymore; it’s about reconnecting through shared experiences outdoors.

Why It Matters

Strength isn’t always about pushing through pain. Real strength is knowing when to rest and reset. For many veterans, stepping into nature isn’t an escape; it’s a way to heal.

Peace doesn’t have to be miles away. Sometimes, it’s waiting just outside your door.

Sources:
VA Center for Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Sierra Club Military Outdoors, Warrior Expeditions, Project Healing Waters.