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Nature and Mental Health
Is there a connection between nature and mental health? No surprise here, the answer is a big YES !
Have you ever been asked where your dream home is? What is your answer? I am fairly sure it is not at the top of a high rise building in the middle of a city. Most people say it is near the sea or in the countryside, or a cabin in the woods. There is a reason for this. We feel most at peace when we are in nature. We instinctively know that spending time in nature is good for the mind, body, and soul.
And now, science is backing us up. Nature can help improve your focus and concentration, and reduce stress and anxiety. It can restore cognitive function and mental well-being. Exposure to nature can boost creativity and problem-solving ability, and protect your physical health and fitness. In fact, spending time in nature is so beneficial for health and development that it should be considered a “prescription” for us all!
Why is nature so good for us?
Inflammation in the body is triggered by the damage that free-radicals cause. Without going deep into a chemistry lesson, a simplified explanation is that free radicals have unpaired, or free, electrons. This makes them highly chemically reactive, which is how they cause so much damage to our cells. One benefit of being in nature is the abundance of negative ions. They can neutralize unpaired electrons in those free radicals as well as the positive ions given off by modern living. This includes electrical devices, screens, fluorescent lighting, carpets, and pollution, especially in cities.
Negative Ions and Water
The best places to get more of those soothing negative ions are where water collides with itself. This includes places such as waterfalls, the seashore, rivers, and streams. Dense forests are another great place to immerse yourself in negative ions, hence the term “forest bathing”. There is also an abundance of negative ions after a heavy rainstorm, especially if it was a thunderstorm.
Grounding
To boost the benefits further, try walking barefoot, which is also known as grounding. This is easier on a beach where you can walk on soft sand. However, take care in other places due to the presence of objects that could hurt your feet. Watch out for thorns, splintered wood, or sharp stones. In those places, it might be better to stand still instead and do some deep breathing rather than walking. You will still get the benefits you want.
Sunlight
If going to the beach or the forest is not possible, you can still take a walk in the local park. Or even sit outside in your garden or back yard. Having exposure to natural daylight first thing in the morning has proven benefits to reset the sleep-wake cycle and improve sleep. Bearing in mind that getting a good night’s sleep is absolutely critical for brain health. You may be aware that insomnia is a risk factor for a reduction in brain function and dementia. Therefore, getting outside in nature, especially in the sunshine is important. So why not sit outside with your morning coffee! You can enjoy the sunrise, listen to the dawn chorus or simply “just be”.
What if you don’t have a garden, back yard or even a balcony? Don’t worry as research has shown that filling your home with plants and pictures of nature is also beneficial to your health. Just a few minutes spent in nature can immediately boost our mood and help us to feel more relaxed, and even healthier! Here are some of the ways that spending time outdoors can improve our wellbeing.
Boosts mood and reduces stress
One of the most immediate benefits of spending time in nature is that it can help to improve our mood and reduce stress levels. Numerous studies have shown that being in green space can help to decrease anxiety and rumination (repeating negative thoughts), while increasing self-esteem and feelings of happiness and general well-being. Even if you don’t have time for a hike or a trip to the park, spending a few minutes outside in your backyard or taking a walk around the block can make a big difference in how you’re feeling.
Helps Us To Be More Active
Another great benefit of outdoor time is that it can help us to be more active and get the exercise we need. Exercise is important for our overall health, and being active outdoors is a great way to make sure we’re getting enough. Walking, jogging, biking, swimming, and playing sports are all great ways to get active while also enjoying some time in nature. In addition, physical activity helps to reduce stress and anxiety, improves focus and concentration, and can even play a part in preventing dementia.
So you are getting a triple bang for your buck! In addition, exercising outside motivates us to exercise more. Why run on a treadmill in the gym, looking at a blank wall, which is pretty soul-destroying, when you can be running through trees, alongside a river, or through fields with the wind in your hair? I know which one I prefer to do.
Try Your Green Thumb
Another productive way of being active outside is gardening. Not only does it give you satisfaction to produce fruit, vegetables, flowers, or just a neat garden, but gardening can also help protect your brain from decline . Gardening is a great activity to get you in touch with nature as it is calming, relaxing, and, therefore, lowers stress levels and reduces anxiety.
Plus, all that digging and weeding gets your heart pumping. On top of that, any fruit or vegetables you grow are much more nutritious than the ones you buy in the store, which is good news for your body as well as your brain.
Unwind and Unplug
When exercising or doing activities outdoors, try not to be tempted to wear headphones. In today’s tech-filled world, it’s important for us to unplug and unwind. Being mindful in nature and enjoying it with all your senses is hugely important.
If you are going barefoot, be aware of the ground beneath your feet; look at the colors, shapes, and textures around you; look at the clouds; hear the sounds of the birds; hear the waves crashing on the beach; hear the leaves rustling on the trees; notice movement; notice stillness. Really pay attention. Being mindful in nature takes relaxation to the next level, reduces anxiety, and boosts feelings of well-being. It will also leave you feeling refreshed and re-energized..
Improves Focus and Concentration
Being in nature has been shown to help improve focus and concentration, especially for children who often have trouble paying attention in school. If you find yourself having trouble concentrating on work or school tasks, take a break and step outside for a few minutes. You might be surprised at how much better you feel afterwards.
Connects Us With Other People
Spending time outdoors is also a great way to connect with other people – both family and friends. When we’re inside all the time, it can be easy to become isolated, but being outside gives us opportunities to interact with others, without distractions, while also enjoying some fresh air and sunshine. Plan an outdoor activity with friends or family members, or simply strike up a conversation with someone you see while you’re out and about. We all need social connection for our mental health, so make sure you take some time each week to connect with others face-to-face!
Lowers Blood Pressure
According to a review of many studies, the overriding conclusion of those studies was that spending time in green spaces significantly lowers blood pressure. This is likely due to the fact that being outside helps us to relax both physically and mentally. High blood pressure can not only cause a stroke, which effectively kills part of the brain, but constant high blood pressure can be a cause of the brain aging faster and losing function, eventually leading to dementia. High blood pressure can also cause heart attacks, which is another good reason to keep it in check by getting outside in nature.
What is the best way to get some nature into your life?
Ideally, spending at least two hours a week in nature enables you to enjoy the benefits mentioned above. A study found that this was the minimum amount of time necessary. This could easily be managed by taking a 20 minute walk each day. The best place to have your walk would be in a wooded area or on a beach. This is because trees and running water both emit those beneficial negative ions.
When you are stuck inside looking at your laptop screen or the television screen for hours on end, it is really important to get outside at least once a day, if only to give your eyes a rest. However, as we now know, there are lots of good reasons to spend more time outdoors, enjoying nature! From reducing stress levels to lowering blood pressure, improving your sleep, and helping you relax. But the part of your body that benefits the most from being outside in nature is your brain.
Next Steps (Literally!)
So get outside and enjoy nature, whether you are playing sports, walking barefoot along the seashore, hiking through the woods, or jumping in puddles after a thunderstorm. No matter what the weather, you can enjoy nature and reap the many benefits it offers. What are you waiting for? Put on your coat and get outside.
Click here to access an article on Forest Therapy from MIndful Nature . net
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