Nature provides healing benefits by providing vitamins and minerals; promoting exercise; and supplying a variety of soothing sounds, textures, and views. Research has shown that spending time outside has a variety of positive health benefits.
I’m more of an indoorsy kinda lady. If I wasn’t allergic to most things outside, I think I would spend much more time outdoors hiking, enjoying sunsets, and having fun in some sort of water. Life being what it is, I try to find ways to bring nature into my life safely. I think nature’s one of those things that people take for granted because it’s always around and there’s always something else on the schedule.
But now, after months of socially distancing, people are choosing nature as an outlet, a destination, and a self-care activity or release. Science has proven that the environment around you influences stress. What you hear, see, experience not only changes the mood but also impacts your immune, nervous, and endocrine system. If you are not already tapping into nature, consider these benefits!
Four ways to harness healing through nature
1. GET ACTIVE. Nature Heals by Easily Involving Exercise
Going outside often involves some form of exercise. Even a short walk is enough to increase energy, boost moods, and get the blood flowing. Exercising with changing scenery or blowing winds can be stimulating and provide additional mental relief because it feels less like work (and more like fun)! Some experts assert that outdoor exercise is a “natural anti-depressant” especially for people who experience Seasonal Affective Disorder because of the serotonin (from sunshine) and endorphin (from exercise) combination.
Outdoor exercising is free, can be done alone or with friends, and provides more challenging terrain. Running on a nature trail is an entirely different experience than a treadmill for your feet and lungs. Different terrain and cleaner air can provide additional benefits. Wind can carry a volleyball or provide needed cooling after a tough pickup game. Consider joining an outdoor sports league, swimming in the local lake, or practicing yoga on your deck out back to take advantage healing through nature (and exercise).
2. GET SUNNING. Nature Heals by Providing Vitamin D
Go outside and let your body absorb energy from the sunlight. Whether you’re exercising or sitting on a bench, you can benefit from fun in the sun! Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, is produced when natural sunlight hits the skin. It promotes good health by improving brain function, protect against inflammation, and can even protect against cancer! Lack of sunlight has been linked to depression and poor sleep quality, so be sure to soak up the sun (with appropriate levels of sunscreen!) as often as possible. Indoorsy folks might try sitting near a window or finding a screened in patio to enjoy the benefits of sunshine without the allergens or bugs!
3. GET CONNECTED. Nature Heals
Scientists claim that being exposed to greenspace or living near nature can reduce the risk of several health issues, including type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth, and high blood pressure. Comparing people from over 20 different countries based on their access to green spaces showed that, “People living closer to nature also had reduced diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and stress. In fact, one of the really interesting things we found is that exposure to greenspace significantly reduces people’s levels of salivary cortisol — a physiological marker of stress”.
Apart from the health benefits, being close to nature can heal you from within. Some contribute this healing to closeness with “mother nature” while others note the natural minerals, vitamins, or essences that provide healing. Being exposed to the natural world reduces feelings of anger, stress, fear, and tension and increases happy feelings. If you’re an indoorsy girl like me, consider incorporating small plants in the house. This connection with plants and nature can significantly reduce stress levels.
4. GET ENGROSSED. Nature Soothes
Nature is engrossing. Listening to the sounds, feeling the breeze, smelling the smells help to distract and soothe when you are in pain or feeling low. Nature has a way of reminding you of its vastness. It can be so calming to be reminded of how small we are in this big ole universe. There is nothing like hiking (or driving!) to the top of a mountain and looking down or attempting to count the stars on a clear night. Taking time to appreciate plants or wild animals can soothe your mind, body, and soul because the focus shifts from you to the little miracles of nature.
Open the curtains, sit on the porch, add a succulent to the shelf, bring mother nature’s energy into your life. Then take a big breath xoxo Mo
References:
University of East Anglia. “It’s official — spending time outside is good for you.” ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180706102842.htm (accessed September 23, 2020).
Piedmont Healthcare. “7 benefits of outdoor exercise”. www.piedmont.org/living-better/7-health-benefits-of-outdoor-exercise. (accessed September 23, 2020).
