Spend more time in nature
Make it a habit to spend more time in nature:
exercise outside instead of going to the gym; have lunch outdoors; and spend as
much of your weekends as you can out in nature. At the very least, get a plant
for your office. Live your best life by spending more time in nature.
1. Vegetation Improves Your Vitality.
In
the book “Your Brain On Nature: The Science of Nature’s Influence on Your
Health, Happiness and Vitality”, Eva M. Selhub, MD and Alan C. Logan, ND
explain that scientific studies show that natural environments can have
remarkable benefits for human health.
Among these benefits,
Selhub and Logan explain that studies show that spending
just 20 minutes in vegetation-rich nature improves vitality. They
define vitality as emotional strength in the face of internal and external
oppositions, and living life with enthusiasm. So, if you want to be more
resilient and have more zest in your life, go outside.
A 2009 study published
in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that
people who lived within 1 kilometer of a park or a wooded area experienced less
anxiety and depression than those who lived farther away from green space.
This
means that city planners can potentially use green space as a way to improve
overall mental wellness. In addition, if you’re feeling depressed,
you should consider moving closer to nature.
3. Exposure to Plants and Parks Boosts Immunity.
In a series of
studies, scientists found that when people spend time in natural
surroundings — forests, parks and other places with plenty of trees — they
experience increased immune function. One reason for this is phytoncides,
the airborne chemicals that plants emit to protect themselves from rotting and
from insects, and which also seem to benefit humans.
In Japan, people visit
forests for a therapeutic practice which is called “Shinrin-yoku,” or
“forest bathing.” A group of these “forest bathers” were
divided in two and they were instructed to do the following:
§
On day one, Group 1 was instructed to walk
through a forest or wooded area for a few hours. Group 2 was instructed to walk
through a city area.
§
On the second day the two groups switched
places.
The
researches found that being among plants produced lower concentrations of
cortisol (a stress hormone), lower pulse rate, and lower blood pressure.
4. Sunlight is Beneficial.
When
sunlight hits the skin, it begins a process that leads to the creation and
activation of vitamin D. Studies suggest that
this vitamin helps to prevent osteoporosis and cancer. In addition, one study
found an increased risk of heart attacks in those with low vitamin D levels.
The
amount of sunlight that you need depends on your skin tone. Light skinned
individuals need about 10 minutes of sunlight a day, while darker skinned
individuals may need from fifteen to twenty minutes of sunlight.
5. Spending Time in Nature Boosts Happiness.
In May of 2013, more than 10,000 Canadians participated in the David Suzuki
Foundation’s 30×30 Nature
Challenge. The challenge was as follows: spend 30 minutes in
nature, every day, for 30 days. Here’s the impact that the challenge had on the
participant’s health and well-being:
§
They reported significant increases in their
sense of well-being.
§
They had more energy,
§
Feelings of stress and negativity were
reduced.
§
They had less sleep disturbances.
§
They felt more productive on the job.
§
They felt happier.
§
6. Being
in Nature Inspires Creativity.
A study done
in 2012 revealed that a group of backpackers were 50% more
creative after they had spent four days on a hiking trail. Furthermore, the
study shows that creativity peaks after about three days of really getting away
from it all and immersing yourself in nature.
A
standard creativity test was given to four groups of backpackers–totaling 60
people–before they went on hikes. The same test was given to a second group of
60 backpackers; however, this second group took the test four days into their
hikes. The second group–those who had already been hiking for four days when
they took the test–scored 50% higher than the first group.
The
lead researcher in the study–Ruth Ann Atchley–explains that the constant
distractions and stimulation of modern life are a threat, and they sap our
resources. When we’re in nature our minds can drop down those threat responses,
which leaves us with leftover resources which we can apply to being more creative.
7. Taking
a Break in Nature Improves Memory and Cognitive Function.
Taking in the sights and sounds of nature is beneficial for our brains. Research done by
Doctor Marc Berman and partners at the University of Michigan
shows that performance on memory and attention tests improved by 20% after
study subjects took a pause for a walk through an arboretum. When they paused
to take a walk down a busy street, no cognitive boost was detected.
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