This is traditionally a season of being thankful for all that we have. But gratitude might feel hard to come by these days, when all of us are fed up with COVID, quarantines, and social distancing, and when many of us may not get to see our families this Thanksgiving. But gratitude is a powerful tool that can train our mind to look at the positive (something we could likely all use right now).

Researchers across the globe are finding time spent in nature can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and can uplift our mood. In fact, spending time outside has been shown to reduce the body’s production of cortisol, a well-known stress hormone, and even to lower blood pressure, slow cognitive decline, and boost immunity. A study conducted at Stanford found walking in nature had the power to reduce activity in the brain’s prefrontal cortex—a region associated with rumination, worry, and depression.