Enjoying nature to become healthier and happier
So true how our 21st
C lives have been summarized as such:
“We live in a box, we work in a box. We look at a box all day.”
“We live in a box, we work in a box. We look at a box all day.”
As the warm weather is
here it is a great time to get back out in nature and get nurtured. Spending
time outdoors keeps our immune system strong, increases creativity, helps treat
depression and anxiety, gives us an energy boost and helps us to sleep peacefully.
The best thing about spending time with nature is that it does not cost us
anything. We don’t need to go on expensive, luxury holidays to seek nature, it
is found in our backyard, in a park around the corner and in the world around
us, we just need to pay a little attention.
Trees keep us healthy and happy
University of Chicago researchers discovered that living in areas with lots of trees makes us both mentally and physcically healthier. In fact, the study found that the more trees a street had, the healthier its residents were. The several reasons the researchers put forward include cleaner air as trees filter our pollution. The greenery of the trees is also naturally calming to humans.
University of Chicago researchers discovered that living in areas with lots of trees makes us both mentally and physcically healthier. In fact, the study found that the more trees a street had, the healthier its residents were. The several reasons the researchers put forward include cleaner air as trees filter our pollution. The greenery of the trees is also naturally calming to humans.
Spending time outdoors keeps your immune
system strong
A little dirt never hurts, in fact it heals. Research suggests that early exposure to a wide variety of bacteria from grass, dust and dirt creates a stronger immune system later in life. Getting a moderate amount of sun can boost your vitamin D levels, which are crucial for a strong immune system and helps our body to fight illness.
A little dirt never hurts, in fact it heals. Research suggests that early exposure to a wide variety of bacteria from grass, dust and dirt creates a stronger immune system later in life. Getting a moderate amount of sun can boost your vitamin D levels, which are crucial for a strong immune system and helps our body to fight illness.
Spending time in nature increases creativity
Walking is the best time when creativity gets a boost. In fact, a 2012 study demonstrated that hikers became 50 percent more creative after spending four days in nature. A walk in the woods or near a stream is enough to keep our creativity running for a week.
Walking is the best time when creativity gets a boost. In fact, a 2012 study demonstrated that hikers became 50 percent more creative after spending four days in nature. A walk in the woods or near a stream is enough to keep our creativity running for a week.
“When I was a child, my grandmother
told me that the sky speaks to those who look and listen to it. She said, 'In
the sky there are always answers and explanations for everything: every pain,
every suffering, joy, and confusion.' That night I wanted the sky to talk to
me.”
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy
Soldier
Creativity isn’t the only trait that nature enhances. Research suggests that
time spent in nature may also increase both physical and mental energy. For the
series of studies, published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, researchers led participants through exercises like
15-minute walks through indoor and outdoor settings, various visualizations of
natural and non-nature related imagery, and viewing images of buildings and
natural landscapes. The researchers found that out of all the different
experiments, participants consistently felt more energetic when they spent time
in nature or visualized themselves doing so. Even imagining natural
surroundings allows us to benefit from nature.
Spending time outdoors helps treat depression
and anxiety
A Stanford University study found that a walk in natural environments helped decrease negativity which leads to depression. It lifts our moods and lessens our anxieties as well.
A Stanford University study found that a walk in natural environments helped decrease negativity which leads to depression. It lifts our moods and lessens our anxieties as well.
How to make the most of natural environments:
Do some green exercises. Pick up your yoga mat and take it outside. Take in the fresh air as you
breathe. Smell, see and hear what is
around you. Stretch like a panther, cat
Slow down. Practice the art of mindfulness, simply being present, appreciating of the beauty around you. Immerse all your senses in the present moment, enjoying the gentle breeze against your skin, the aroma of the flowers in bloom and the beauty of the blue sky or shapes of the clouds as they pass by.
Slow down. Practice the art of mindfulness, simply being present, appreciating of the beauty around you. Immerse all your senses in the present moment, enjoying the gentle breeze against your skin, the aroma of the flowers in bloom and the beauty of the blue sky or shapes of the clouds as they pass by.
Make an excuse for exercises, think of getting up as keeping healthy.
Go for a walk on your lunch break.
Walk to the station.
If you don’t use public transport, leave the car at home for a day and walk to get on the public transport.
When you go shopping, try parking further away from the centre deliberately, and walk.
Talk to the clouds, look for the shapes in them.
Enjoy some sunshine.
Sun exposure produces vitamin D, which helps build strong bones.Vitamin D also contributes to a healthy immune system, fighting colds, the flu, chronic disease, and even some types of cancer. Natural light also helps to lifts our mood and prevents depression. Don’t be afraid to sit in the sun. It will help lift our spirits and benefit our physical and mental health.
Sun exposure produces vitamin D, which helps build strong bones.Vitamin D also contributes to a healthy immune system, fighting colds, the flu, chronic disease, and even some types of cancer. Natural light also helps to lifts our mood and prevents depression. Don’t be afraid to sit in the sun. It will help lift our spirits and benefit our physical and mental health.
Learn to choose healthier and
fresh foods.
Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables
Make fresh salads without any dressings, try the real taste of the fruits and vegetables.
Replace your give up foods for one fresh seasonal fruit or vegetable
Eating healthy is a habit
Stop buying junk food, you pay money to buy spoil your health
Try new recipes, make food look presentable
Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables
Make fresh salads without any dressings, try the real taste of the fruits and vegetables.
Replace your give up foods for one fresh seasonal fruit or vegetable
Eating healthy is a habit
Stop buying junk food, you pay money to buy spoil your health
Try new recipes, make food look presentable
Learn techniques to sleep luxuriously.
Try going to bed 30 minutes earlier than normal--that little extra time may be what you need to feel more rested. Switch off your mobiles 30 minutes before going to bed
Lounge around in bed 1 day a week.
Get into the habit of hydrating.
Water has no side effects, drink plenty of it, it helps us to stay hydrated. If you don’t like water add some flavor to drink more.
Make lemonades, cocktails, mocktails, different juices, smoothies and sip luxuriously while watching the clouds.
Have a lot of fun by making new friends and unwind.
Friends can be made anywhere at any age. You can learn from everyone and in every situation. Keep an open mind and make friends. You don’t have to stick to your age, gender or social class. Talk to people where ever you go, even at the gym or park. Find similar interests. Don’t be afraid to feel like a fool, start a conversation.Challenge yourself and make a friend who is very different to you ( different race, different religion, who speaks another language)
Show interest in other people.
‘There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't yet met.’
Good
for nature, good for you
“If we can help people to connect with nature,
that’s not just good for them, its great news for nature,” said The Wildlife
Trust’s Lucy McRobert. Because, she explains, the more people that care
intrinsically for their local environment and value the positive impact it has
on their own lives, the more they’ll want to protect it from destruction.
