How Nature Makes Us Human

Unleash your nature instinct—and enhance your health and happiness.

Updated August 10, 2024 | Reviewed by Devon Frye

Abraham Maslow was wrong. When he proposed his theory of human needs, he overlooked one crucial element in his hierarchy: nature.

This realization hit me when Camping World Holdings, Inc. (stock symbol: CWH), a retailer specializing in outdoor gear–caught my attention by chance. On February 18, 2020, CWH was trading at $17. But as the COVID-19 pandemic spread panic, it plummeted to $3.40—a staggering 80 percent loss in just 20 trading days. Then, something extraordinary happened: stimulus checks and other government interventions released vast amounts of money into the economy.

As the market stabilized, Camping World’s stock began to soar. By August 3, a mere four and a half months later, it reached $43—nearly 200 percent better than the S&P 500, the benchmark of general market performance. The reason? CWH’s business was booming with blockbuster earnings and rising dividends. This trend continued until the summer of 2023.

Why did the company do so well? The reason was immediately clear: people were heading outdoors like never before. In the Pacific Northwest, where I stayed, parks were packed, and campsites were fully booked every weekend and holiday. Entrances to many national parks turned into gridlocks, resembling rush hour in New York City, L.A., or Chicago.

Maslow's third level of needs—love and belonging, which includes family, friends, and intimacy (Figure 1)—overlooked our deep-rooted connection with nature. When the pandemic forced us to minimize social interactions, we sought to fill that void by reconnecting with the natural world. We rushed outside to reestablish our bond with nature.

The above case offers a glimpse into a fundamental dimension of our psychological needs: our bond with nature, which translates into business and money. Consider the value of a property overlooking a crystal-clear lake, a snow-capped mountain, or an expansive ocean. Even a few trees can significantly boost its valuation. This is why many cities mandate greenbelts in housing projects. The added value from a touch of nature mirrors our basic human needs, a topic explored in tens of thousands of publications in environmental psychology . Here are some of the major benefits (besides money):

These insights illuminate the profound and multi-faceted role nature plays in our lives. From boosting our mental and physical health to enriching our cognitive abilities and inspiring our creativity , nature is an essential part of humanity.

The great thing is, you don't need to do much to reap the benefits of nature. You can engage in a variety of activities with family, friends, and especially kids (which I often do): picnicking, camping, gardening, hiking, fishing, mushroom-picking, bird-watching, plant identification, butterfly-catching (and releasing), beaver observation, cloud appreciation, star-gazing, and much, much more. Even getting a bit dirty in the mud or splashing in puddles is often more fulfilling than staying indoors.

How do you enjoy nature? Let’s share.

Li, Q., 2010. Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environmental health and preventive medicine, 15, pp.9-17.
Patwary, M.M., Bardhan, M., Disha, A.S., Dzhambov, A.M., Parkinson, C., Browning, M.H., Labib, S.M., Larson, L.R., Haque, M.Z., Rahman, M.A. and Alam, M.A., 2024. Nature exposure and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A Navigation Guide systematic review with meta-analysis. Environmental Pollution, p.124284.
La Puma, J., 2023. What is Nature-Based Medicine and What Does It Do?. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 17(4), pp.466-469.
Bolouki, A., 2023. Neurobiological effects of urban built and natural environment on mental health: systematic review. Reviews on Environmental Health, 38(1), pp.169-179.

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Lixing Sun, Ph.D. , is a distinguished research professor in behavior and evolution at Central Washington University.

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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.