Have you ever noticed that you feel just a little better outdoors? Think about how you feel at the beach or while hiking through a forest. You feel great, right? If you answered yes to this question, you aren’t the only one! Science actually shows that nature heals us in so many more ways than we even know. So, rather than spending any more time indoors in front of technology, we need to spend more time in nature!
Here are 6 of the many ways nature can heal you, and why you should aim to spend more time outdoors.
It Combats Anxiety and Depression
Though the exact science behind the uplifting effect of nature is still unclear, several studies have proven that nature helps to fight against and prevent anxiety and depression. Multiple sources have shown that people who live in urban settings are significantly more likely to have anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders than those who live in rural areas. Similarly, a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that being in a natural setting for just just 90 minutes, whether it be a park or hiking trail, decreases the levels of activity in the area of the brain that is linked to depression, lowers the likelihood of ruminating, which is a prime indicator of anxiety and depression, and increases positive emotions. Several other studies have shown this same phenomenon, too.
Not surprisingly, dirt itself is a natural antidepressant, too. Recent research has shown that a bacteria found in dirt, known as Mycobacterium Vaccae, activates neurons in your brain stem that transport Serotonin. Serotonin is known as the happy chemical, because it contributes to happiness and wellbeing. So, not only is your mood boosted simply by being outside, but when you come in contact with dirt, it triggers the production of Serotonin, making you even more happier!
It Lowers Blood Pressure
A simple way to improve your heart health and lower your blood pressure is by simply being outside! One study conducted in 2016 found that about 10% of individuals with high blood pressure could resolve this issue by spending just 30 minutes or more in a park each week. Another study, which gathered lots of data from 20 countries, found that spending time outdoors in nature not only reduces blood pressure, but also reduces the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and premature death.
Though it’s not super clear how this happens, researchers believe it could be due to the fresh air or the natural fragrance of trees. The fresh air gives people a break from air pollution, which has been shown to increase the risk of heart attacks, while trees’ fragrances give off phytoncides, which have been shown to lower blood pressure. This could also be the result of stress reduction. As nature lowers stress levels, this leads to lower blood pressure.
It Helps to Relieve Stress
As just mentioned, spending some time amongst nature is the perfect way to feel at ease. Research has shown that the calming sounds, the outdoor silence, the beautiful sights, and other aspects of nature calms the body’s fight-or-flight response and lowers the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Being amongst nature also lowers the level of activity in the prefrontal cortex, which becomes highly stimulated when people are stressed or depressed.
Along with reducing stress, a study published in January of this year found that sitting or walking in a natural setting for just 10 minutes lessens the effects of both mental and physical stress. As a result, researchers concluded that everyone should really try to spend at least 10 minutes amongst nature a day to reverse the damage of stress.
It Boosts Your Immune System
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to strengthen your immune system, just spend some time in nature! As we just talked about above, trees give off something called phytoncides, which we naturally inhale while amongst nature. When phytoncides enter our bodies, this increases the number of a white blood cell in our body called a natural killer cell, which supports our immune systems and lowers the risk of cancer. Scientists also believe that natural killer cells help fight against infections, autoimmune diseases, inflammation, diabetes, and several other diseases.
Several studies have also proven these effects, like one published in the journal of Environmental Health Perspectives. The findings revealed that women who lived amongst lots of vegetation had a 12% lower risk of death from all causes than people in areas with less amounts of greenery. Another study found that people who took one long walk in a forest a day for just two consecutive days had increased their amount of natural killer cells by 50%. In the month following these walks, their levels of natural killer cells remained 23% higher than usual. Yep, nature is that effective in significantly boosting your immune system!
It May Help Alleviate ADHD Symptoms
Several studies with kids have suggest that being in nature can help improve attention. One study conducted by the University of Illinois examined what happened when kids with ADHD took three 20-minute walks without medication in a park, a neighborhood, and an urban setting. It found that when the children walked through the park, their concentration had substantially improved in comparison to the outcomes of the walks in the other settings. Another study by the same group discovered that children who regularly played outdoors experienced milder ADHD symptoms than those who played indoors.
Researchers attribute this effect to the fact that nature allows the part of the brain that’s used in effortful concentration to rest, which rejuvenates the brain and the ability to focus. This effect has even been observed in adults, as adults had improved scores on cognitive tests after interacting with nature, due to nature’s impact on attention restoration.
It Boosts Your Creativity and Problem-Solving Abilities
In 2012, a study was conducted to analyze the impact of a four-day backpacking trip. At the end of the trip, it was found that the hikers could solve significantly more puzzles, each of which required not just problem-solving skills, but creativity to complete, than those who had not gone on the trip. Other studies, too, have also shown that nature has the ability to enhance problem-solving and creative abilities.
Just like nature’s effect of restoring our attention spans, spending time in nature boosts our creativity and problem-solving abilities because it allows the part of the brain that must concentrate and multitask to recover. When walking in nature, you don’t have to focus hard to enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds! Because of our ever-increasing access to technology, our prefrontal cortex is often overstimulated, causing malfunctions and depletion. So, when that part of the brain is allowed to rest and recover while enjoying the nature around us, that’s when the creativity, problem-solving, and feelings of well-being increase.
We challenge you to try to spend at least 10 minutes a day sitting amongst, walking through, or interacting with the nature around you! It offers so many benefits to both your mind and body. Stay tuned for more helpful tips on health, sustainability, and other similar topics!
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