Maaike Zuidgeest
Activities:Outdoor psychology
Founder:Maaike Zuidgeest
Launched:2022
Location:In nature
Introductie
On average, we spend ninety percent of our time indoors, even though nature has a proven healing effect. Outdoor psychologist Maaike Zuidgeest therefore always takes her clients outside, rain or shine. “Sometimes it’s enough to simply lean against a tree.”
Maaike Zuidgeest: "The way we live together doesn’t align with our human nature.” Photographer: Gabriela Hengeveld
“Our society is geared towards performance and consumption, but as human beings we benefit far more from slowing down, spending time together and living with the seasons”, says outdoor psychologist Maaike Zuidgeest. “It’s no surprise that so many people burn out and that waiting lists for mental healthcare are so long. It shows that the way we live together does not align with our human nature.”
For eleven years, Maaike worked as a conventional therapist with children and youngsters, until something started to feel off. “The traditional care setting felt increasingly restrictive, especially in schools, where the therapy rooms sometimes didn’t even have a window. How can you expect someone to be vulnerable in such a closed-off space?” In 2022, she swapped her consulting office for forests and dunes and trained as an outdoor psychologist. “Nature changes everything. Even rain can help – the sound quiets things down and offers a powerful metaphor: how do you deal with discomfort?”
Uitgelichte quote
Once people loosen up, a breakthrough often follows
“Even rain can help – the sound quiets things down.” Photographer: Gabriela Hengeveld
Outdoor psychologist Maaike Zuidgeest: "Nature offers a safe, healing environment.” Photographer: Gabriela Hengeveld
Grounding and letting go
Maaike usually begins her sessions with a simple invitation. “Take a few steps, feel how your feet are touching the earth. What do you see around you? How does your body feel today?” This small action helps people ‘land’ – both physically and mentally.
“Our bodies hold mental tension, and the more tension you experience, the more strongly you feel it physically”, Maaike explains. “Nature offers a safe, healing environment in which that tension can be released. Sometimes we do this literally: we push against a tree while stamping our feet. At first it can feel awkward, but once people loosen up, a breakthrough often follows – crying, shouting, laughing, or an insight that helps them move forward.”
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I feel like that tree over there, completely overgrown
Outdoor psychologist Maaike Zuidgeest: "In nature, our stress hormones decrease, while hormones associated with bliss increase.” Photographer: Gabriela Hengeveld
“Even something like a hospital bed with a view of greenery can speed up recovery.” Photographer: Gabriela Hengeveld
Nature as a mirror
“Someone said to me recently: ‘I feel like that tree over there, completely overgrown. It feels like I’m stuck and can’t move’”, Maaike recalls. “Those images help people put their feelings into words, but also to find comfort. Sometimes it’s enough to lean against a sturdy tree and not have to do anything at all. Nature gives us the feeling of being held, simply because it is our original environment. It’s where we come from, and where we feel safe and at home.
In addition, spending time in nature has positive physical effects too, scientific research confirms. “It lowers blood pressure and reduces stress hormones, while hormones associated with relaxation and bliss increase”, Maaike explains. “Even something as simple as a hospital bed with a view of greenery can speed up recovery.”
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Working outside with our hands again – it's exactly what we need
Photographer: Gabriela Hengeveld
Green mental healthcare
To ensure more people can experience these benefits, Maaike contributes to the Dutch Green Mental Healthcare movement – a growing group of healthcare professionals advocating for more nature in care. This includes greening the grounds of mental health institutions and teaching staff how to conduct sessions outdoors. “The beautiful thing is that this benefits the care providers too. With their enormous workload, they could really use nature’s healing power.”
“Let’s make sure children learn in primary school how to calm their nervous systems and express their emotions, before stress-related symptoms arise”, Maaike says. “Regenerative farms are also perfect places where people can reconnect with themselves and the life around them. Simply being outside again, working with our hands – that slowing down is exactly what we so desperately need.”
“Once you see how healing nature can be, you want to take better care of it”, Maaike adds. “That may be the most beautiful side effect of my work: it contributes to a world in which we return to balance – with ourselves, each other and the Earth.”
Want to learn more about the relationship between nature and our health? Read our interview with microbiome expert Marco van Es.
Originally published on the 12th of December 2024. Latest update: 11th of March 2026.
