Another important piece of becoming healthier is to go outside into nature. Whether or not people realize it, humans have an innate connection to nature. Living in nature is how people have evolved. Studies have shown being outside in natural settings helps reduce anxiety, stress and the production of stress hormones like cortisol, inflammation, improves mood, clears the mind. It also boosts the immune system by exposing it to microbes that are harmless, but still challenge it which helps when exposed to something that is harmful.
There is less air pollution in the woods and rural areas than in cities which will helps improve breathing.
Being outdoors exposes you to sunlight, which provides the best way to get Vitamin D. Vitamin D is a super important nutrient that the body needs to stay healthy.
Even just looking at a nature picture or having a single plant in a room provides health benefits.
Studies have shown people living in cities with trees planted outside their buildings have less street crime and an easier time coping with stress.
Some hospitals even have healing gardens where residents can go to sit or walk through to help with the healing process. Hospital patients with a window vs a wall have been shown to have less pain and heal quicker.
Studies show being outdoor 2 hours a week is the most beneficial.
Being near blue spaces like the ocean, lakes, rivers, creeks, etc. have also been shown to be beneficial.
I’ve started going outside for a few minutes in the morning to listen to the birds using an app called Merlin, created by Cornell University. It listens to the birds and identifies them. It will also identify a bird using a picture. It’s pretty cool and helps you focus in the moment on the natural world around you.
If you ask me, getting as close to the natural world as possible is the one of the best ways to improve one’s health.
Challenge:
Depending on where you live, make an effort to get outdoors where you can see green or blue spaces. Do it as much or as little as you can each day, but try at least 8 minutes. If you just physically can’t go outside, try getting a plant, go on YouTube and find a walking video that is outdoors that you can watch or walk indoors with. There are also tons of live webcams all over the internet and on YouTube, like the Florida Keys or bald eagle nests.
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More Nature & Health Resources
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8125471/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44097-3
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1438463917302699?via%3Dihub