How does Nature Impact our Wellbeing

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Nature is a powerful source of healing, happiness and wellbeing. Many studies have shown that spending time in nature or viewing scenes of nature can reduce stress, improve mood, enhance attention and boost immunity. In this blog post, we will explore some of the positive effects of nature on our wellbeing and how we can connect with nature more often.

Nature heals

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, but it also 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 some researchers.

Nature also helps us cope with pain by distracting us from our discomfort. A classic study by Robert Ulrich found that patients who had a view of trees from their hospital bed recovered faster and needed less pain medication than those who had a view of a wall. Other studies have shown similar results with plants and nature scenes in hospital rooms.

Nature soothes

Nature can also help us deal with trauma and grief by providing a sense of comfort and support. A study by Rachel Kaplan found that people who experienced a stressful life event, such as the death of a loved one, reported that nature helped them cope by offering a sense of perspective, relief, solace and hope.

Nature restores

Nature can also enhance our creativity by stimulating our imagination and curiosity. A study by David Strayer and his colleagues found that backpackers who spent four days in nature without any electronic devices performed 50% better on a creative problem-solving task than those who did not.

How to connect with nature more often

1. Spend at least 20 minutes a day outside in a natural setting, such as a park, a garden or a forest. Try to be mindful of your surroundings and use all your senses to appreciate the beauty of nature.

2. Bring some nature indoors by having plants, flowers or pictures of nature in your home or workplace. You can also use natural materials, colors and scents to create a more natural atmosphere.

3. Watch nature videos or listen to nature sounds when you need a break or want to relax. You can find many online resources for this purpose, such as YouTube channels, podcasts or apps.

4. Join a nature club or group that organizes outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping or birdwatching. You can also volunteer for environmental causes or participate in citizen science projects that involve observing or collecting data on nature.

5. Learn more about nature and its wonders by reading books, magazines or blogs on natural history, ecology or conservation. You can also visit museums, zoos or botanical gardens to expand your knowledge and appreciation of nature.

Conclusion

Nature is a vital source of wellbeing for humans. It can heal us physically and emotionally, soothe us psychologically and emotionally, and restore us cognitively and creatively. By connecting with nature more often, we can enhance our health, happiness and quality of life.

References
: https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-does-nature-impact-our-wellbeing
: https://positivepsychology.com/positive-effects-of-nature/
: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature
: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3520840/