If you spend a lot of time online, you might have seen the phrase “touch grass” cropping up in lengthy comment sections. It’s often used as a (not super-friendly) reminder to take a break from the toxic abyss of the internet and to get outside into the real world – the implication being that, in spending too much time online, the individual has lost touch with the world outside their laptop screen.

While telling someone to “touch grass” may be a veiled insult, there is actually a bit of truth to it – as, according to a new study, getting outside into nature is one of the best ways to boost your authenticity and, yes, reconnect with the reality of being a human being.

If you work on a computer all day, you might find that you spend most of your time inside staring at a screen. At the end of a long day filled with blue light, email notifications and keyboard tapping, you might find yourself feeling strangely disconnected – not only from the real people around you, but also with your own self. According to this study, we might all need to go touch grass, as spending a little more time outside can help us get back in touch with our authentic selves. In turn, it can lead to a more authentic inner dialogue with ourselves and more authentic relationships with others.

We spoke to Elle Mace, a Positive Psychology Coach, about the strong link between nature and authenticity – and why it matters.

Spending time in nature makes you a more authentic person – a new study shows how