While the expression "touch grass" is most often used as a meme to teasingly tell fellow internet users to log off and venture outside, there is research-backed evidence that reconnecting with sensory experiences only found in the physical world is highly beneficial for overall well-being.
Michelle Hand , a licensed clinical social worker and holistic-therapy researcher, compiled data affirming that music and nature-based therapy can improve emotional, mental, and physical health outcomes.
The reason? Unlike more traditional therapies, music and nature-based treatment prioritize multi-sensory experiences (e.g., potentially integrating sounds, sights, smells, and touch stimuli that anchor people in the present moment) as well as choice and flexibility.
"The combined therapeutic use of music and nature facilitates self-expression, which can improve mood and emotional well-being, with potential to simultaneously decrease anxiety, stress, and symptoms of depression, all of which can impact various aspects of daily life, health and wellness," said Hand, an assistant professor of social work in George Mason University's College of Public Health (CPH).
Previous studies examined music and nature separately, but this review explored different studies with the simultaneous use of both elements. Hand, along with gerontology research specialist Emily Ihara, and George Mason social work alumni Morgan Moore and Madison Shaw, identified 884 scholarly articles across six databases relating to the combined therapeutic use of music and nature. Of these, eight peer-reviewed articles met their search criteria. For example, articles featured activities where participants could choose to care for animals, tend to gardens, and sing and dance outdoors. Hand's conclusions present the limitless possibilities for tailored non-medication mental health treatments.
"Music- and nature-based strategies can offer adaptable low-cost, multi-sensory approaches for people of all ages, those living with disabilities, veterans and non-veterans, individuals who have experienced trauma, as well as for older adults living with dementia," Hand said.
So, while "touch grass" may have begun as a social media jest, it is actually pretty sound advice.
Integrating music and nature: a scoping review of research on interventions involving both music- and nature-based strategies for mental health and wellbeing was published in Frontiers of Human Neuroscience in August 2025. Hand's co-researchers include CPH Professor and Chair of the Department of Social Work Emily Ihara , and George Mason alumni Morgan Moore, MSW '24, and Madison Shaw, BSW '24 and a current MSW student.
About the researcher
Michelle Hand is an assistant professor of social work at George Mason University. The central aim of her research is to offer in-depth understanding of the causes and impacts of sexual violence and trauma among at-risk populations across the life course, particularly in later life, as well as multi-level nonpharmacologic interventions for addressing violence and trauma, to improve wellbeing, such as through nature-based strategies and arts-based approaches. She studies sexual violence and trauma, and the ways older adults are included or excluded from sexual violence prevention and intervention. Hand is principally interested in nature-based interventions (through ecotherapy, and particularly care farms, and gardens) as well as expressive art (e.g., music), to help regulate the brain and foster recovery from trauma, while enhancing well-being.
Hand's research has been informed by direct experience working with at-risk populations, including in later life, as a clinical social worker across mental health and medical settings, as well as in schools and while designing and delivering arts-based therapeutic services within the community. Hand explores multi-level prevention strategies, and effective, low-cost and accessible holistic interventions for addressing trauma that results from sexual violence, while improving health and wellness. Hand recently developed the first bystander intervention focused on preventing and addressing sexual violence in later life, to equip practitioners and community members in Virginia to identify, prevent and report sexual violence in later life, and to attend to the needs of older survivors.
