NATURE IS A POWERFUL HEALER

Humans have a deep connection with nature, and research shows that if we don’t nourish that bond despite our technological advancements, we may be affected in many ways.

Spend time in nature if you want to be healthy and feel better for nature energises your mind and body. Research has shown spending 120 minutes a week in nature improves health and well-being.

Nature is also a powerful healer. Here’s what it can do for you.

> DEPRESSED: If you’re feeling blue, try going outside to green, natural spaces. A stroll in the forest has been shown to help combat depression.

> STRESSED: Nature presents scenes that gently capture your attention instead of suddenly snatching it, calming your nerves instead of frazzling them.

> ANXIOUS: Working out in nature helps to reduce anxiety, among other benefits, even more than going to an indoor gym.

> BURDENED: Can’t stop dwelling on your problems? Too many thoughts circling through your head? Research shows that a 90-minute walk in nature lowers activity in the part of the brain linked to negative thoughts.

> FATIGUED: Constantly multitasking? Overwhelmed by kids, chores and devices vying for your attention? Recharge your brain outdoors. Time in nature has been shown to restore mental abilities like short-term memory.

> UNINSPIRED: Changing the scenery is a great way to get the creative juices flowing. Nature offers stimuli that you won’t find while staring at a screen. In one study, spending 4 days in nature improved problem-solving skills by 50%.

> ANTISOCIAL: Time in nature can help with your personal relationships, too. Natural beauty results in more prosocial behaviours, like generosity and empathy.

> DISCONNECTED: One of the most basic human needs is to feel that you belong and you are part of a larger tribe. Time in nature results in a sense of belonging to the wider world that is vital for mental health.

> ANGSTY: At times, you might feel lost, and begin to wonder, “What is life all about?” A dose of awe might remind you just how wondrous the world is. Nature provides trees that were hundreds of years old before you were even born, towering mountains that touch the clouds and a sky full of uncountable stars.

– edited extracts from American Heart Association’s article, “Spend Time in Nature to Reduce Stress and Anxiety”