When it comes to mental health benefits, nature isn’t limited to deep forests or remote beaches. It can be found in everyday places. Green spaces like parks and woodlands, or blue spaces like rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Even a tree-lined street, a backyard garden, or a simple houseplant can have a positive impact on our well-being.
And if getting outside isn’t always possible, watching nature documentaries can still provide a sense of calm and connection. The best part? No matter where we live, there’s always a way to experience the healing power of nature.
For documentary photographer Georgina Goodwin, the outdoors became more than a backdrop for her work. She calls it a place of healing, inspiration, and deep personal connection. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked with globally recognized organizations such as Agence France-Presse (AFP), Getty Images, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Agency (UNHCR), bringing underreported stories to international audiences.
Her work spans a diverse range of topics, from refugee crises and women’s rights to climate change and conservation. Through her lens, Georgina has documented the realities of marginalized communities while highlighting the connections between people and the environment.
Her journey was driven and shaped by her love for storytelling and profound appreciation for the natural world. Growing up in Nairobi, Kenya, she was surrounded by vast landscapes, rich biodiversity, and a deep-rooted respect for nature. These early experiences cultivated a lifelong relationship with the outdoors, influencing both her personal well-being and professional path.
“Being in nature gives me a sense of balance and clarity that I can’t imagine living without,” Georgina shares. “It is where I feel the most present, the most connected to myself and to the world around me.”
You might have heard nature therapy referred to as “green care” or “green therapy” because of its strong connection to spending time in lush, natural spaces. But the benefits of nature therapy go beyond greenery. It includes the calming effects of “blue spaces” where being near water has been shown to boost mood and create a sense of relaxation, with the colour blue often associated with calmness and tranquillity.
Research backs this up. The Blue Health project, a large-scale study across 18 European countries, surveyed 18,000 people and found that those who spent time near waterways consistently reported feeling better, both mentally and emotionally.
For Georgina, these benefits have been a lived experience. There were times in her career when the weight of the stories documented felt overwhelming. The reality of poverty, suffering and environmental destruction is heavy. But stepping outside, taking a deep breath in the open air, and feeling the earth beneath often helped her reset.
Photography, for Georgina, was all about capturing images till she discovered later the beauty of being fully present in the moment. Her work often is an inspiration of patience, observation, and a deep awareness of her surroundings, making photography a natural extension of mindfulness – a ‘making’ rather than a ‘taking’ of images.
“When I am in the field, I have to slow down, really look, and appreciate what is in front of me. Be it the movement of a bird, the way the light filters through the trees, or the expressions of people in their environment, I am fully engaged. It’s a form of meditation,” she explains.
Practicing mindful photography has helped her cope with the demands of her work and bringing up a family, offering a way to process the emotions that come with documenting difficult subjects. It has also deepened her appreciation for the small, often overlooked moments that nature offers.
“Nature has a way of teaching us lessons that are applicable far beyond the outdoors,” says Georgina. “For me, my experiences living close to nature have reinforced values of patience, resilience, and adaptability.”
“When you spend time in nature, you quickly realize that things don’t always go according to plan – the weather shifts, wildlife moves unpredictably, and sometimes, you have to wait hours for the right moment to capture a shot – but that’s also what makes it rewarding,” she reflects.
Understandably, not everyone has access to vast landscapes or remote wilderness. Georgina’s ethos is to connect us all to nature, to remind us that anyone can incorporate nature into their daily routine, no matter where they live.
