NATURE HEALS, SOOTHES & RESTORES

Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. It may even reduce mortality, according to scientists.

Nature helps us cope with pain. In a study of patients who underwent gallbladder surgery, half had a view of trees and half had a view of a wall. The patients with the view of trees tolerated pain better, appeared to nurses to have fewer negative effects, and spent less time in a hospital.

In one study in Mind, 95% of those interviewed said their mood improved after spending time outside, changing from depressed, stressed, and anxious to more calm and balanced. Other studies show that time in nature or scenes of nature are associated with a positive mood, and psychological wellbeing, meaningfulness, and vitality.

Both also increase our ability to pay attention. Research on children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder shows that time spent in nature increases their attention span later.

Source: University of Minnesota