There is nothing like it. The sounds, smells and feels are easy, freeing and appeal to the mind, body and soul. Even as I write this, I am looking out at the forest from our Airbnb and feeling the benefits through the open windows.
Nature is often said to heal both physically and mentally, and for good reason. When we go hiking in the woods or take a stroll on the beach, there’s a feeling of peace and happiness. It’s no wonder that these activities are often recommended by most health experts and are what many of us are yearning for after a year of reduced travel and adventure.
As we grow older, life just gets harder. Work, relationships and health can all be complicated, resulting in higher risk of depression, anxiety and burnout. There are many ways to reduce the affects and treatments that get us through the tough times. Nature is a freebie from the universe that many of us take for granted. Let's find out why it makes us feel so much better and promise to experience it more!
Nature Improves Our Mental Well-Being
Experts have studied nature's therapeutic effect on both emotion and memory function. In a 2008 study, researchers learned that human subjects who did nature walks experienced cognitive benefits compared to those who had walked in the city. Studies revealed that people suffering from depressive disorders were observed to have significant improvements in their mood after being exposed to the outdoors. Furthermore, the subjects also mentioned that they felt more energized and motivated to get better and go back to their normal life. Taking trips outdoors appears to help in lowering the feelings of stress by reducing the stress hormone, cortisol.
Performing nature walks and other outdoor activities helps in developing focus and attention. Similar to the study mentioned earlier, studies revealed strong connections between outdoor activities and improved performance and concentration.
Environmental psychologists claim that people who stay close to nature feel more appreciative and grateful for what it has to offer. Seeing wonders of the natural world is said to foster an urge in people to protect it. We need more of that, right?
Breathing in nature can provide us with a wholesome sense of awareness. By spending time outdoors, we tend to increase our mindfulness of what we see, hear, smell, and feel. The fresh air, increased movement, and time away from those oh-so addicting devices can do a world of good to the human brain.
The Benefits of Nature on Our Physical Health
Shinrin-yoku, also known as forest bathing, is an activity in Japan where people spend time in the forest. According to a 2019 study, forest environments can improve human health by reducing blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones in the body. Furthermore, relaxing in the forest can help reduce depression, anger, and anxiety.
Mindfulness meditation in nature is also believed to improve anti-cancer protein production. This has led researchers to suggest that hiking and taking frequent trips in the wilderness could be beneficial to patients experiencing terminal diseases.
There are even unexpected benefits that I bet most people don't know about! Besides improving our physical fitness, these activities can also lower the probability of developing eyesight problems such as myopia and hypermetropia. A study on school-aged kids revealed that children who participated more in outdoor activities had better eyesight compared to those that spent more time indoors. Specifically, the researchers found that kids that were reported to have the highest level of outdoor activity had the lowest ratios for myopia.
Perhaps more expected are several studies that found children with better access to nature had lower body mass index (BMI). Individuals who exercise outdoors appear to experience fatigue less and have lower chances of obesity-related conditions.
So get outside!
The studies on the benefits of nature to our well-being have grown by leaps and bounds and are recognized as existing evidence nature’s role in public health is critical!.
With mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety on the rise, we should all be getting a daily dose of the great outdoors! It is cleansing and free!!! No matter what nature looks like for you, get out in it!
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