As wellness becomes a more popular topic we see the rise of nature as medicine. The human race has grown up in nature but as people spend less time outdoors we have seen higher levels of things such as type II diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety and even premature death. Yes, nature does actually offer many health benefits, just as withdrawals of nature can lead to bad health, nature actually works in the opposite way, spending time outdoors can actually offer many health benefits.
“We don’t experience natural environments enough to realize how restored they can make us feel, nor are we aware that studies also show they make us healthier, more creative, more empathetic and more apt to engage with the world and with each other. Nature, it turns out, is good for civilization.” -The Nature Fix
Only a few benefits of nature include, reduced risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, stress, depression and increased sleep duration. As stated by Florence WIlliams, “We don’t experience natural environments enough to realize how restored they can make us feel, nor are we aware that studies also show they make us healthier, more creative, more empathetic and more apt to engage with the world and with each other. Nature, it turns out, is good for civilization.” (The Nature Fix). Infact nature works so well that doctors in Scotland can now prescribe time outdoors rather than medication to treat these things. As Well as this forest bathing has become a popular form of therapy in Japan, in which patients spend time lying down, sitting or walking outdoors. The Japanese have found this therapy very effective because when outside people inhale natural killers which promote immune system health and fight against viruses. We can also get these natural killers from essential oils such as cedar and wood essential oils. We have also seen a rise in the numbers of “forest schools” which originated from a tradition in Scandinavia where students do the majority of their learning outdoors. This idea has moved to the United states considering research that has shown you are more focused and retain more information when you have spent time outside.
Nature’s benefits are not only limited to physical health but also mental health, studies have shown that nature can reduce feelings of aggression and even reduce crime. A study took place in 2015 in which 2,000 people in the United Kingdom found that the more time spent outside led to lower crime rates and more positive socialization. Nature also reduces many other negative emotions such as anger, fear, sadness and stress.
As mentioned before one of the most powerful benefits of spending time in nature is stress reduction. Time outdoors can lower levels of stress hormones, and lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and increase immune system strength. Nature provides the perfect environment for less-effortful relaxation. This has in turn helped people suffering with disturbed sleep patterns and even insomnia to obtain a better night’s sleep. That’s right, nature offers benefits for those with insomnia or other sleep disorders without the groggy effect that sleep medications offer. It can also help control mood disorders such as Attention Deficit Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
In addition nature can be used as a healthy coping mechanism for physical and emotional pain. In fact only looking at pictures of nature can improve our pain tolerance. According to doctors and surgeons, patients are much more tolerant to pain when looking at pictures of nature or trees rather than a plain wall.
While nature is great for mental health that is not where its benefits end. Nature is also very healing for the body and different diseases. Studies have shown that hospitalized patients who have been exposed to nature and green spaces have healed faster than other patients. As Well as this people who exercise outdoors have been shown to have higher benefits from the workout rather than people who exercised indoors.
Nature has always been a necessity for the human race however it is especially important in this time considering the rise of technology. As stated by Richard Louv,”“Time in nature is not leisure time; it’s an essential investment in our children’s health (and also, by the way, on our own).”(Last child in the woods). By 2050 two thirds of our population is estimated to be living in cities and urban areas. As stated by the quote above, nature is an essential part of human health. Health excerpts and researchers have become concerned with the rising lack of outdoor time in our society. As this becomes more of a concern government and health excerpts have been working to improve outdoor areas in cities and make nature more easy and accessible to everyone.
The effects of nature are so strong that studies have shown that even having a single plant in your room can impact your day to day health. Aswell as this it only takes about 120 minutes or 2 hours a week outside to get people feeling healthier and happier. However even just 20 minutes outside a day can refresh your mind and energize you. To get the full benefits of nature the best amount of time to spend outside is around 72 hours. Even though you can get benefits from just going to a public park some of the best ways to get nature full benefits are hiking, forest bathing, and camping.
