In times of crisis, it is nature that offers the solace we crave in the face of today’s overwhelming urban rush. There’s a reason William Wordsworth immortalized trees in poems. His work emphasized the role of nature in an individual’s spiritual and intellectual development. Nature offers an abundance of healing properties for those who are seeking it. A silent walk in the woods or a few moments spent by the stream with the sound of flowing water can immensely calm your mind.
Methods such as forest bathing is an ancient Japanese practice that encourages people to immerse themselves fully in the forest atmosphere. This method is as refreshing as it sounds. When you rid yourself of distractions and take slow, steady steps into a forest, surrounding yourself with the sounds, smells, and sights of lush greenery in its purest form, the part of your brain responsible for love and empathy lights up. Spending time in green spaces can help you rejuvenate and escape the exhausting fast-paced world for a while.
The easiest and probably the most inexpensive technique to achieve inner peace and spiritual and mental healing is through nature. One can gain multiple physical and mental health benefits simply by getting along with the natural environments around them. Let’s take a closer look at how being amidst the environment can heal you.
Get Better Sleep
The lives we lead today heavily rely on technology. Our eyes constantly shift from one screen to another, be it your laptop, mobile, or stopwatch. The constant buzzing of notifications and the rapidly moving social media feed over-activates your brain to a state of great exhaustion. It also makes getting a good night’s sleep challenging, and a poor sleep cycle can negatively impact your mental and physical health.
Natural settings offer a refuge from the constant racket. When you attain a sense of calmness within yourself, it is easier to relax and function with your potential. Practicing breathing exercises amid a lush green and tranquil environment helps you reduce any chaos in your mind, making it easier for you to relax and practice better sleep hygiene.
Increased Focus
Stepping out in the sun, surrounded by greenery, is not only a serene experience but every aspect of a natural environment offers specific health benefits. When you take time to breathe in the fresh air around you, which is considerably lesser in pollutants, it positively impacts your lungs and brain. Your brain utilizes 20% of the oxygen you breathe in, and fresh air promotes overall optimal functions and provides better clarity, focus, and concentration.
Similarly, exposure to sunlight can do much more than just provide warmth on a chilly morning. Your skin absorbs sun rays and synthesizes Vitamin D, which calms your nervous system, uplifts your mood, and boosts calcium absorption. Additionally, a healthy amount of sunlight can help minimize the risk of autoimmune diseases and cancer, lower blood pressure, and improve seasonal affective disorder (SAD). So, get your sunscreen on and spend ample time in the sun. Your bones and mental health will thank you for it.
Helps You Stay in the Present Moment
When you feel stuck in the monotony of your daily life, the best idea can be to just unplug from all the noise and spend time in a park or a garden. Absorbing the sights, sounds, and smells surrounding you helps you be in the current moment. Practicing mindfulness amidst nature is the best way to appreciate the present moment instead of dwelling on the past or fretting over the future. It also helps you minimize stress and anxiety.
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Eases Symptoms of Certain Mental Health Conditions
Exposure to the scenic beauty of nature can positively impact several mental ailments. A recent study showed that children and young adults with ADHD significantly improved their attention span after spending time in the countryside or greener landscapes. People struggling with disorders such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD can benefit from the healing power of nature. In the olden times, sanatoriums were the facility for a person suffering from a chronic illness. Regular outdoor walks and other physical activities strengthen the immune system. Additionally, organic environments enable people to deal better with symptoms that are somewhat challenging to deal with daily.
Brings You Back to the Basics
A digital detox might sound like a trend in today’s date, but in recent years it might become a necessity for the human mind to function correctly. If you wish to bring your productivity and creativity back on track, it might be a good idea to start connecting with mother earth. Your body reboots itself when you ground yourself with the earth in its purest and natural state. Walking barefoot, lying in the grass, or taking a dip in the water are some of the best ways to nourish and recharge your senses. After all, your body is a natural matter, requiring ample time to interact with nature’s elements.
How to Get Started
It would be best if you consciously re-introduce nature into your daily life. And it is not as difficult as you might think. You can easily include natural activities that urge you to move and stay active.
- You can try spending time in your garden, tending to your plants, or going to a local park if your space doesn’t have a garden or backyard.
- Try to cut back your screen time in a natural setting. Instead, focusing on the smells, sounds, sights, and textures surrounding you will help you relax more.
- You can enquire about local groups offering forest bathing, nature walks, hiking, or outdoor meditation to introduce some physical activities that can help your mind find calm.
- You can also build a cozy sanctuary in your house. Try starting a herb garden on your kitchen window sill, or place indoor plants in the living room or workstation. You can also get an aquarium or an indoor fountain, as the trickling sound of water can immediately calm your nervous system.
Seek Help From a Trusted Therapist With DocVita Today
Nature can be your mind’s and body’s best friend. And it is a wholesome, most beautiful path to well-ness. You can always look for activities that allow you to stay in touch with nature, but if you need clarification about where to start, you can consult a professional.
At DocVita, you can find a trusted therapist offering ecotherapy, a therapeutic intervention requiring you to spend ample time in green spaces to improve your mental and physical health.
Visit our website to book an appointment with a skilled therapist today!