Studies show that being in nature and spending adequate time outdoors has many mental, physical, and spiritual benefits. In this post, you will learn exactly how being in nature positively affects your health and 3 things you can begin doing to see results.
Honoring Mother Earth
I believe that everything works together for the glory of God. We are all connected in the same way the soil, trees, animals, insects, energy, etc. are connected. Because life was designed by one creator. Ecosystem. Mother Earth is intentional; she is to be respected.
I have always felt very connected to God and grounded when I am freely in or around nature. It makes sense to me in a world that is all but sensible. Furthermore, I can trust that if I treat Mother Earth well, she will do the same. I believe she provides for the world with her nutrients, energy, beauty, medicine, and material.
So, what does the “science” say about Mother Earth and the healing power of green spaces mentally, physically, and spiritually?
Nature: Mental Health
In such a technological and commercialized society, it often worries me that neglect the need to be connected with nature. There are so many mental health benefits of daily time outdoors.
More Nature Less Stress
Cortisol was used in one study as a biomarker for stress because cortisol reflects physiological functioning. The same study found that forest environments and green spaces promote concentrated levels of cortisol, lower blood pressure, and more when compared to city environments.
As a result, it was concluded that regular access to well-maintained green and natural spaces can greatly reduce stress levels and improve mental health and well-being.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Before we begin here, I am not a medical professional. The information shared here comes from the resources listed in the reference section of this blog post. Seek medical attention if you are experiencing symptoms of depression.
Now, we are probably all familiar with the terms “winter blues” and “seasonal depression”. Some of us might even experience feelings of depression, sluggishness, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation, weight gain, restlessness, agitation, etc. during certain seasons.
Winter months are hard for me and around the spring my mood begins to change drastically. You may need to have bloodwork done for vitamin deficencies. Consider speaking with a medical professional.
Not only does diet affect your mood, but studies show that spending time in natural environments can improve symptoms of SAD, especially natural sunlight. Individuals with SAD also use light therapy and vitamin D for treatment when access to natural green spaces is not accessible.
Light therapy, 30-45 minutes daily, is used to replace lack of sunlight in the winter months. In addition to light therapy, vitamin D supplements may improve symptoms since most individuals with SAD have a vitamin D deficiency.
Cognition
Harvard Health Publishing published an article that looks at the brain in relation to nature. They found that individuals who completed a 90-minute nature walk, compared to others that completed the walk-in urban settings, had lower activity in the prefrontal cortex.
The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that is active during rumination. Also, when people interact with natural spaces, the calming sounds of nature and just the outdoor quiet can lower blood pressure and cortisol levels, calming the brain’s fight or flight response.
Time outside has also been linked to increased cognitive functioning in children with attention deficits.
Nature: Physical Health
A Decrease in Chronic Diseases
Chronic inflammation is pretty much the root of all chronic disease and the aging process.
The reduction of inflammation as a result of earthing has been documented with the explanation that negatively charged antioxidant electrons enter the body and neutralize positively charged free radicals at sites of inflammation.
While this form of natural healing may work for some, consult with your doctor about your options for reducing inflammation.
Exercise
We all know the mental and physical health benefits of exercising. Outdoor exercise changes the game! Kelsey Graham wrote an article on Ace Fitness highlighting 5 benefits of “green exercise”:
- Improved Mood and Reduced Depression
- Enhanced Self-esteem
- Low Cost
- Ease of Access
- Connecting With Mother Nature
When I participated in outdoor Track & Field, I definitely felt the difference in my mood and overall health during school. I, pretty silently, struggled with anxiety and depression as a student. Reading books (for pleasure) and training daily outside after school was always beneficial, no matter how challenging the workout and sport were.
Immune Support- Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency is a global public health issue. Recent studies are showing an “association between vitamin D deficiency and cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and depression” (article). Vitamin D is also known to support the immune system. Getting some of that good ol’ natural vitamin D from the sun is another reason to prioritize time in nature.
Nature: Spiritual Health
Grounding and Earthing
More researchers are looking at the positive effects of direct physical contact with the surface electrons from the Earth.
Earthing (or grounding), is known to improved sleep quality and reduction of pain.
Walking barefoot outdoors is a great way to transfer Earth’s electrons from ground to body. Sleeping, working, or relaxing indoors has been shown to rapidly reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). This requires use of conductive systems and can be a convenient alternative when outdoor and barefoot grounding is not possible.
Mindfulness
Being able to clear your mind and slow down is so important in such a fast-paced world. Nature forces you to slow down. Nature is peaceful. Practicing mindfulness while in nature can elevate the effects of fresh air, vitamin D, and the surface electrons from the Earth.
Mindfulness is the act of being intensely aware of your senses and feelings at the moment and refraining from trying to make sense of it all at that moment. This practice reduces stress and nurtures your spiritual health.
Read more: 35 self-care ideas for mindfulness and wellness
3 Things You Can Do in Nature
- Take a nap. Have you ever been outside and felt completely relaxed? Well, grab a blanket and pillow and take a good old-fashioned nap outdoors.
- Garden. We are beginner gardeners and I must say, so much learning takes place while gardening. You are forced to slow down and be patient. Even if you are planting a pot or two, getting outdoors, and experiencing the life process through gardening is awesome.
- Go for a walk. We see this in all the movies. There’s a disagreement and the upset character says, “I need to get some air” or “I need to walk it off”. Going for a walk is a quick and easy way to spend time in nature and clear your mind.
*References
Chevalier, G., Sinatra, S. T., Oschman, J. L., Sokal, K., & Sokal, P. (2012). Earthing: health implications of reconnecting the human body to the Earth’s surface electrons. Journal of environmental and public health, 2012, 291541. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/291541
Kerr, D. C., Zava, D. T., Piper, W. T., Saturn, S. R., Frei, B., & Gombart, A. F. (2015). Associations between vitamin D levels and depressive symptoms in healthy young adult women. Psychiatry research, 227(1), 46–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2015.02.016
Pearson, D. G., & Craig, T. (2014). The great outdoors? Exploring the mental health benefits of natural environments. Frontiers in psychology, 5, 1178. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01178
Sizar O, Khare S, Goyal A, et al. Vitamin D Deficiency. [Updated 2021 Jan 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532266/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/sour-mood-getting-you-down-get-back-to-nature
https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/lifestyle/blog/6360/get-out-5-benefits-of-outdoor-exercise/
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder/index.shtml
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How often do you get outdoors? What might you try doing to increase the amount of time you spend outdoors?
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