Living close to nature helps fight disease and reduce stress

Nature brings benefitshealthphysical and mental

The World Health Organization's report on "Green Spaces and Mental Health" confirms that time spent in nature, whether in urban or suburban areas, improves mood, thinking ability and mental health.

Many studies also show that exposure to forests, parks, gardens or the seashore can even mitigate the psychological effects of climate change, support physical activity, and relax and leave everyday stress behind for a while.

According to psychologist Patricia Hasbach (Oregon, USA), contact with nature helps people feel like they are part of something bigger.

According toNational Geographic, there are many ways that nature benefits our mental and physical health. A recent study that surveyed more than 16,000 people in 18 countries found that those who lived in green environments or near the ocean had higher levels of overall positive happiness.

Additionally, people who regularly visit green spaces for recreational purposes feel better and are less mentally stressed.

Another study published last year in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine found that people who visited green spaces at least five times a week tended to use less antipsychotic, antihypertensive, and anti-asthma medications than those who spent less time in nature.

The mental and physical benefits don’t stop there. A prime example is the Japanese practice of “forest bathing,” which involves walking slowly through a forest and breathing in phytoncides, aromatic compounds from trees. This has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce depression, and improve mental health.

An international analysis found that people with good mental health were more likely to spend time in coastal and natural areas from a young age.

A 2019 study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology found that children who took nature walks showed faster reaction times and stronger concentration than when they simply traveled through urban areas.

Not only that, being close to nature also allows your mind to be free to daydream and think. In the arms of nature, people often find space to ponder spiritual matters and the meaning of life.

Studies have also shown that viewing natural shapes such as fern leaves, flowers, mountain peaks or waves can stimulate alpha wave activity in the brain. These are brain waves associated with a state of relaxation but still maintaining alertness and focus, helping people feel calm and clear.

When immersed in nature, people tend to slow down. This slowing down is an opportunity to awaken the senses, bringing a state of being completely present in each moment.

Natural therapy

Sounds of nature, such as birds chirping, wind blowing, and running water, are not only soothing music to the ears but also harmonies to the soul.

Research shows that these sounds help reduce stress and dispel sadness. Among them, the sound of running water has the most positive effect on improving mood, while the sound of chirping birds plays an important role in reducing stress and feelings of sadness.

What's more, several studies have shown that breathing in volatile organic compounds, such as limonene and pinene, in wooded spaces can reduce mental fatigue, promote relaxation, and enhance cognitive performance and mood.

Outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, cycling or gardening, when combined with natural landscapes, can enhance health benefits.

A 2020 study published in the journal Environmental Research found that office workers who walked in green spaces for 20 minutes a day felt a greater improvement in their mood than those who walked in urban spaces for the same amount of time.

According to Eileen Anderson, a medical and psychological anthropologist (Cleveland, USA), research suggests we should spend at least 2 hours/week in green environments and near water, however, in reality, just a few minutes immersed in natural spaces is enough to improve mood and cognitive ability.

Capturing fleeting moments and immersing yourself in nature whenever possible can have a profound impact on your mental and physical health.

Resting in nature is also a great way to recharge your energy and spirit. At the same time, bringing nature into your living space through green potted plants, majestic landscape paintings, or peaceful photos of the ocean will bring a sense of peace and harmony.

Furthermore, the combination of gentle floral scents and natural essential oils such as lavender, rose, lemon, or rosemary will enliven the space, creating a vibrant and close-to-nature experience.

If your home is near a forest, park, flower garden, or the beach, opening the windows to let in the pleasant sounds of birdsong or waves is a great option. If not, you can use applications that bring natural sounds such as birdsong, rain, or ocean waves into the house. This is also a solution recommended by experts.