“Go for a walk. Fresh air will do you good.” You’ve probably received this advice before, or even given it yourself. We have been connected to nature since our inception and have spent almost our entire development in it.
Only in the last few hundred years have we been moving from the green jungle to the concrete jungle. Nature becomes something marginal and a certain part of the population sees it only as a source of profit, e.g. from the extraction of minerals.
But when you try to cut yourself off from something that was natural until recently, it has to show up somewhere. The increasing number of psychological problems can, among other things, originate from the absence of contact with nature. At the same time as technological progress, the voices emphasizing the need to protect the environment are growing stronger, not only for the sake of millions of plant and animal species, but also for our own sake.
Nature and interpersonal relationships
Although the connection between man and nature has been known for millennia (see Ayurveda or traditional Chinese medicine), scientists only began to study its influence on human experience and health in the 1970s. Studies at the time showed that being in nature evokes positive feelings such as friendliness, belonging and joy, according to a review published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology. Other studies have also confirmed that nature makes us more friendly.
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It’s not just that we meet more people when walking outside than at home. Being in nature also leaves us with the feeling that we are part of a larger whole that goes beyond not only ourselves, but also humanity as such. This belonging with other living creatures is also reflected in our behavior towards each other.
Nature and ability to concentrate
While the technological world focuses on constantly capturing our attention, which somewhat paradoxically impairs our ability to concentrate, the opposite is true of natural scenery. A study by Berman et al. she found that interacting with nature, walking in nature, or even looking at pictures of nature, can have a positive effect on our concentration.
According to Berman, even the sounds of nature have a healing effect. Study participants who listened to sounds like chirping crickets and lapping waves performed better on demanding cognitive tests than those who listened to urban sounds like traffic and the rumble of a busy coffee shop.
Nature and mental health
No one can avoid stress these days. Interpersonal relationships, work, money, school and many other stressors rarely let us breathe. However, such a walk in nature can do wonders.
If you go for at least one 20-minute walk every day, preferably somewhere that is “green”, you will feel better both mentally and physically.
A study from the University of Michigan led by Dr. Mary Carol Hunter revealed that just 20 minutes spent in nature can significantly reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Similar research in Finland among 527 employees confirmed that outdoor activities are among the most effective ways to cope with work stress.
In addition to reducing stress, nature also helps people suffering from depression. Research from 2012 found a link between nature walks and a significant improvement in mood in people with mild to severe depressive disorders.
The healing power of ecotherapy
The healing effects of being in nature on human health are so evident that a special form of therapy, so-called ecotherapy, is based on them. The basis of ecopsychology and the ecotherapy based on it is the idea that man and nature are inherently connected. We influence our environment and our environment influences us.
If Muhammad does not go to the mountain, the mountain must go to Muhammad. You can also bring nature home.
Ecotherapy can take place in rural or urban settings, including parks, gardens or forests. Individual sessions may include meditation, gardening, or conservation-related activities. Ecotherapy has shown its potential to reduce stress, blood pressure and heart rate through its ability to reduce cortisol levels. It can be an effective aid in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety.
How to draw natural energy
Not everyone can or wants to go to ecotherapy, and we don’t have sunny beaches in our area either, but that doesn’t mean you can’t draw on nature’s power. If you go for at least one 20-minute walk every day, preferably somewhere that is “green”, you will feel better both mentally and physically.
However, if time does not allow you to go for a walk, try moving your work outside. Do you have a home office? Take your laptop into the garden. Do you have to go to work lunch? Plan it somewhere near a park. There is always an opportunity to stay close to greenery.
At worst, follow the motto “if Muhammad does not go to the mountain, the mountain must go to Muhammad” and bring nature to your home. You don’t have to have a Christmas tree on display all year round or carry a bucket of dirt from the park. By purchasing a houseplant, you will benefit your mental health and work performance. Orwell’s study proved that indoor plants help improve air quality and thus positively influence our sensory perception, cognitive function and concentration.
And if you have the opportunity, try gardening. Caring for plants, or even growing your own food, strengthens the feeling of connection with nature and has a beneficial effect on mental health. You can then write a diary about your experiences, which, by the way, is also a great therapeutic tool.
photo: Shutterstock, source: Author’s article
