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Disconnect by Reconnecting with Nature
Health | November 15, 2019
While there’s no denying the benefits of modern living, we’ve sadly gotten caught up with the times and forgotten the restorative powers of nature. It’s always ready to take us in its arms and nurture our spirits. And it’s free for everyone. So, get ready to step outside and take in the wonders that await beyond our backyards!
Re-Connect
Nature as a healing treatment goes by many names. Some call it “earthing,” or “grounding,” while others may refer to it as “ecotherapy,” “wilderness therapy,” “green therapy,” or “earth therapy.” [1] Either way, at its core, the act of spending time outside in nature is meant to help re-connect us with our true home and with ourselves. It’s said to have first begun with the 20th-century historian Theodore Roszak, who believed that all people are part of a “web of life” and that our inner selves are closely linked to our environment. [2] In 1996, pastoral counselor Howard Clinebell published a book detailing the mental benefits of nature-based therapy, which included easing anxiety, stress, and depression. [3] While the research on the therapeutic properties of going out in nature is small, there’s still enough promise to catch the interest of some Universities. For instance, John F. Kennedy University offers graduate-level certificates in “ecotherapy” to help transform “the human relationship to nature in the service of healing and well-being.” [4]
So, what can be said when it comes to the power of nature? Two words: mental health.
It’s Not All in Your Head
This one should be a no-brainer. Going out for some fresh air and spending a little one-on-one time with nature is one of the best things you can do for your stress. If you thought this was just something for hippies, think again. In Japan, there’s the practice of Shinrin-Yoku or forest bathing, that’s a decades-old practice of “taking in the forest” to relieve stress, relax, and appreciate nature. However, if you don’t have access to a local trail or forest, there’s also the practice of nature walks, which can be done in a park. Many doctors are now writing prescriptions for their patients to go out and walk in the park. One such doctor is Robert Zarr, MD, a pediatrician who launched Park Rx America in 2017. According to Zarr, “The prescriptions that we do for parks are very flexible. The activity can be anything. It can be having a picnic outside, or a forest therapy session.” [5]
As for the research, there’s a handful to show there’s proof in the pudding (or forest). A massive analysis posted in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health writes that, while further studies are needed, forest therapy is “an emerging and effective intervention for decreasing adults’ depressive symptoms.” [6] A similar analysis by the same source (this time on Shinrin-Yoku) echoes these findings, stating, “Nature therapy as a health-promotion method and potential universal health model is implicated for the reduction of reported modern-day ‘stress-state’ and ‘technostress.’” [7]
According to Eric Marlowe Garrison, a counselor practicing in New York City and Richmond, V., “The act of physical movement triggers the mind. I can accomplish more with my clients during a 45-minute walk in Central Park than in two hours in my office… I can’t deny what I’m seeing with my clients. There’s a world of benefit to being out in nature.” [3]
Why are so many people improving just by being outside? Many experts believe it’s because of how we’ve separated ourselves from it. More than half the population lives in urban areas, which is said to increase to 70% by 2050. [8] Our “urbanization” has been linked to higher levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and mental illness. However, exposing ourselves to what some may call “green space” (aka, nature) counters these effects and is correlated with improvements in mental wellness. [9]
But do we need further evidence to prove the effects of nature on our brain? That’s what a team of Stanford researchers set out to do by following a group of healthy volunteers and using MRIs to measure their brain activity. What they did was have one half of the group walk along a busy street in San Francisco, and the other half go for a scenic walk close to the mountains. The group that walked close to nature had improved blood flow to their brains, less negative thoughts and emotions, and better cognition compared to the group that walked on the streets. [10]
You don’t need to be out in the middle of nowhere to reap the benefits, though. If you simply have no time or access to a nature trail, there’s still the option of going to a park or spending less time indoors. Research shows that even short walks are enough to increase mood, calling them “green exercise.” [11]
There’s also the practice of earthing, or grounding, which is exposing yourself to nature and walking around barefoot. The theory goes that the physical connection between the body and the earth helps to reduce stress, anxiety, irritability, depression, and cortisol (the “stress” hormone) by “recharging” the body like a battery. Furthermore, it’s said to reduce pain and inflammation, improve sleep, and increase circulation. [12] While the theories behind it are controversial (depending on who you talk to, it’s either pseudoscience or bad research), it makes some sense given what we know about forest bathing and “ecotherapy.”
Final Thoughts
Since I’ve moved to Tahoe, I’ve been spending way much more time out in nature. And I’ve never felt better! Yes, I still deal with stress and my fair share of challenges, I can tell you that my life feels far richer than it did before. Speaking for myself, nature is its own kind of magic. No, it’s not a miracle pill, but it’s certainly improved my life for the better. But I’d like to hear from you- what do you think about the mental health benefits of nature? Do you think this is a wakeup call to those of us trapped inside or on our phones? And can short breaks like a walk around the block or a local park be enough to keep us from going crazy? Let me know in the comments below!
Sources:
[1] https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/econature-therapy
[2] https://www.goodtherapy.org/famous-psychologists/theodore-roszak.html
[3] https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/nature-therapy-ecotherapy#1
[4] https://ecologycenter.org/directory/directory-entries/john-f-kennedy-university-certificate-in-ecotherapy/
[5] https://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20190611/forest-bathing-nature-time-hot-health-advice
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5369157/
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5580555/
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24662966
[9] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24662966
[10] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201608/nature-therapy
[11] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov./pubmed/20337470
[12] https://chopra.com/articles/grounding-the-human-body-the-healing-benefits-of-earthing
Private Member |
st. peter, minnesota, usa
For most people that I know, myself included, I think this rings true. I will actually drive my dogs to a park 7 miles away to walk them vs walking them along the busy highway outside my front door. The sidewalk along the highway feels stressful and is noisy. The trail in the forest feels peaceful and rejuvenating (the forest trail we can walk to from home doesn’t allow dogs, or I would just take them there). I also want to add that walking without my dogs feels empty and is far less appealing.
Private Member |
I agree with you! I also drive with my dog, it gives both of us (my dog and me) so much more than a walk near cars (or too many people).
Private Member |
lublin, poland
For me even the picture at the beginning was healing and stress relieving. There is nothing better then just to go out of the office for a short walk before lunch. Unfortunately, nobody wants to keep me company, most of the time people avoid going out at all for no apparent reason. But event a short walk can nurture the spirits so much and increase efficiency at work.
Private Member |
I agree that most people avoid the outdoors. I have no idea why but I am sure it is tied to the obesity epidemic in the US!
Private Member |
lublin, poland
As I’ve noticed in my coworkers, they’are eager to finish their work as fast as possible in order to get home earlier. That’s why they avoid going out. But usually do you think they’re in a hurry to get home to go for a walk with their dogs for example or go jogging/working out? No, they just lay on their sofas and eat there.
But as for the Americans, a lot of them waste their life commuting to work. And I can hardly imagine how these long commuters can bring the joys of movement into their lives. I work in 20 minutes walk from home and this contributes to my mental wellness substantially.
Private Member |
Yes my co-workers avoid exercise, eat poorly, and incorporate little to no exercise into their daily routines. Additionally, have found that they get a little testy if (when) they notice that I don’t mimic their behavior. I usually just keep my exercise, eating habits and lifestyle in general to myself because of it.
Unfortunately I have to commute about an hour each way but I still keep active. I wake up early to run and do my Zuzka workout before work. I tried it after work but I find I am much more likely to skip days. To me exercise is either something you want to do and therefore will make sure it happen. Otherwise if you only do it because it is the “fad” then you will struggle to be consistent.
Private Member |
lublin, poland
I agree that after work it’s not easy to do something useful for yourself, moreover late exercising can shift your sleep pattern so you’ll have hard times falling asleep. That’s why I try my best not to skip morning workouts with Zuzka.
That’s very good you have such amazing habits despite having to commute for so long, not everyone manages to live like that.
Private Member |
I have always felt better when I am out in nature. In fact, I instinctively gravitate to the outdoors when I am stressed out. Additionally, I always prefer to exercise outdoors when given an option. For example, I run outside rather than the treadmill that I have in my spare room. I always thought it was just a unique personality trait as most people think I am crazy when I say I enjoy running in the rain/wind/cold.
Private Member |
lublin, poland
I enjoy even so called bad weather as well, it gives me energy. Sometimes I’m reluctant to go outside, but it’s only worth to step outside and breathe fresh air and I start regretting that I hadn’t done this earlier.
Private Member |
I walk with my dog every morning, sick or not, rain or snow (OK, heavy wind and thunderstormss are a big Nope in the forest so yes, there is an exception :). I drive there (5-7 min one way). I do that because walk would take me about 25 minutes and there are people and cars and other dogs and my two year old brittany pup needs to run! Also I really enjoy the walks/runs in the forest, and my pup can run without a leash.
These walks really help me a lot to deal with stress and I feel that I get more things do e at work and home thanks to this. I know, that if didn’t have my dog, I probably wouldn’t be able to make myself get up this early in the morning for such walks each day 🙂
Private Member |
los angeles, ca, usa
Thanks for the great reminder! I have not been outside on a walk in about 2 weeks. I went out this morning met some friends on the trail, and that was really awesome!!!
I like to get up early and get moving, it was nice to get out and away from my home office and do something different.
Private Member |
switzerland/, france
I sort of not relate to this, because I only know and live by this. Am I lucky ? Well it is a choice of life. I am not attracted to cities, at the max 50000 to 100000 people , not any bigger and only if I have to go.
I am not even interested anymore to travel, I am sure if youd pay me a trip to LA, I wouldnt go. Maybe even not to New York. I am a biologist so obviously nature is my 2nd nature😋