Nurtured by nature-how can we reap the benefits?

Have you ever noticed how you feel happier and more refreshed after spending time in nature?  It is not by coincidence that most people feel more grounded and peaceful when they get out into the sunshine, stomp through a pile of vibrantly colored leaves and feel the crisp, cool air of this time of year.  The autumn months always seem to draw people back outside, whether it is for a hike, a bike ride or a trip to the farmer’s market for some fresh apples and butternut squash.  

But even though there is no mistaking the calming, rejuvenating experience of being outside surrounded by nature, there are many other reasons to throw on a sweater and warm boots and get outside for a walk.  Research has proven that spending time outside can help our brains and bodies stay healthy.  As a culture, we are spending more time inside and online.  According to studies by the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American spends 90% of their life indoors.  While modern technology and conveniences have made life easier on many accounts, today’s indoor lifestyles can be harmful to physical and mental health.

Here are some of the ways that spending time in nature can improve one’s health:

Being in nature decreases stress

Getting out for a walk among the trees can have a profound effect on your level of stress.  Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. It seems obvious that any physical activity can reduce stress and anxiety, but there is something about being in nature that has a beneficial effect on stress reduction, above and beyond what exercise alone might offer.

Nature makes you happier

I’ve always found that hiking in nature makes me feel happier, and of course decreased stress may be a big part of the reason why.  But studies have shown that nature may impact our moods in other ways too.  Researchers have found that nature simply makes us happy and decreases anxiety, depression and anger.  Spending time outdoors, combined with exercise, can ease these negative emotions. Studies showed that those who walked in nature experienced less anxiety and  rumination (focused attention on negative aspects of oneself), as well as more positive emotions.

Nature can increase creativity and decrease attention fatigue

Today we live in a society with technology designed to constantly pull for our attention. But constant bombardment to our brains can lead to mental fatigue, overwhelm, and burnout.  When we use our cell phone to talk, text, take pictures, and research we have a whole encyclopedia and beyond of information at our fingertips at any point in time. But this results in a much more superficial or shallow way to access information, and the more we rely on these types of information aids or sources, the less work and processing our brains actually do.  When we get outside, leaving the phone, tv and internet behind, the lack of distraction allows you to breathe, clear your mind and relax.  Going for a walk in nature allows you to refocus and calm your mood, leading to increased clarity and creativity.  

Spending time in nature can improve your sleep

Many people get little outdoor time during the day and spend much of the day in front of screens, often late into the night-- our eyes are trained to artificial light from glowing computers, phones and TV screens. This repeated behavior has a negative effect on our circadian rhythms.  Circadian rhythms refer to the shifts in the body's biological processes that happen over 24 hours, partly in response to light and darkness.   When we spend time outside in nature, we give our mind and body a break from artificial light, which can sometimes cause people to have difficulty sleeping.  In addition, research shows that spending enough time outdoors helps to “reset” your body’s internal clock, which can improve your natural circadian rhythms and allow you to sleep more soundly at night. To improve our sleep, we need to aim to get out in the sun when we can each day, then minimize bright artificial light at night. 

No one truly knows if there is an ideal amount of time that we need to spend in nature; nor do we know how spending time in nature compares to other forms of stress release.  But what we do know is that we feel refreshed and relaxed by simply being outdoors.  So let’s get out there, breathe deeply and enjoy the scenery!