Taking care of your physical and mental health goes beyond diet and exercise. When you want to improve your overall well-being, getting in touch with nature is another factor to consider.
People don’t realize the positive impact of nature on health until they experience it themselves. A relationship with nature is good for you for so many reasons. Being out and finding peace while you’re surrounded by nature is beneficial for your health, and here’s why.
Reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s
Activities with nature like gardening help keep the mind sharp. It may not seem apparent, but “touching” nature can be therapeutic. A study about Alzheimer’s disease found out that nature activities like gardening reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by half.
In a separate study, it’s been found that horticulture therapy (a practice that uses plants to improve mental health) has been very effective for treating patients with dementia, resulting in their significantly enhanced well-being.
Nature helps you stay in control
Connecting with nature may be the answer whenever you feel like losing control. It’s time for you to take your shoes off and get physically connected with nature by walking barefoot. This process is called grounding that’ll help you recharge your mind and body positively. At the end of it, you’ll feel more relaxed and uplifted at the same time.
Boosting your mental health
If you notice, getting in touch with nature puts you in a more relaxing and calming state. And this positive effect will show in your physical aura. The more relaxed you are, the better you’ll feel, and the more pleasant you will look physically.
Studies claim that spending even just a few minutes with nature can have a long-lasting effect on your mental health. It lowers the odds of developing depression and anxiety by giving you a more positive outlook on life.
Nature heals
Being with nature can reduce adverse emotions such as fear, stress, anger, and hatred. On the contrary, it promotes positive feelings, keeping you feeling happy and contented at the same time.
Apart from emotional benefits, a relationship with nature also improves your physical health. So put on your cute sweat headband and start watering your plants to have healthy blood pressure and heart rate.
It restores your well-being
Since nature can improve your mood, you will no longer have the time to feel anxious, stressed, depressed, and angry. Spending some time outdoors can keep you calmer on the inside. Experts say that associating oneself with nature results in positive moos, meaningfulness, and vitality.
In addition, being one with nature increases your ability to focus. Since nature is inherently fascinating, we naturally pay attention to the mesmerizing things we see outside. This also revitalizes our minds, giving us a fresher mindset for chores and tasks.
Connecting with others
Nature also contributes to how we connect with people and the world. A study in Chicago public housing reported that having trees and wider green spaces around the neighborhood promoted camaraderie. The residents are more acquainted with one another and are more united as a community.
This particular factor has a more significant effect on the community. Since everyone is concerned about each other’s well-being, the district has lower crime rates and fewer violent and aggressive events.
How to Connect with Nature
Here’s how you can connect with nature to have a greater sense of peace within.
- Walk barefooted. Stand barefooted on the grass and feel how it tingles your skin.
- Choose a scenic route. No matter where you go, always op to drive on the scenic road. Beautiful scenery can reduce the stress caused by traffic.
- Go out with your friends. Make lasting memories with your friends by taking them out on a nature trip.
- Practice yoga outdoors. Yoga is an excellent way to connect with yourself. Do it outdoors so you can connect with nature too.
- Plant something. Whether it’s a tree or an indoor plant, planting something is a great way to connect with nature.
- Practice mindfulness outdoors. Find a peaceful place outdoor, like by the beach or under a tree, and stay there for a while. Sit or lie comfortably and focus on your breathing. Let the positive energy in, and let your negative emotions out as you breathe.
- Watch sunrise or sunset. There’s always something so therapeutic in watching the sun say hello and goodbye. Start your day right by watching the sunrise, and end your busy day by watching it set.
Nature deprivation is a thing these days. Due to gadget addiction and the effect of technology on our lives, we often forget to get in touch with reality. Make it a habit to put your phone down and be in touch with nature more often.
