True Healing Begins Outside
When our daughters were babies and I was unable to calm them, the last resort was to go outside and let them stare up into the trees. For some reason, that always seemed to stop their crying and almost instantly relaxed them. Being outside is something that few people do much of these days and it appears that this disconnect from the outside world is having a profound effect on overall health, especially brain health and mental well-being.
A recent survey found that majority of Americans (59%) spend less than an hour a day outside, with 18% spending less than 15 minutes a day outdoors. They also found that younger people were even more likely to spend less time outside. Considering that American lifespans are decreasing since 2019, despite 66% using chronic prescription drugs, this lifestyle trend is not the path the rest of the world should follow.
In his 2005 book entitled Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv, an American journalist, summed up the accumulated health effects of indoor life on children as “Nature Deficit Disorder.” As he said recently:
“This subject was virtually ignored by the academic world. I could find 60 studies that were good studies. Now it’s approaching and about to pass 1,000 studies, and they point in one direction: Nature is not only nice to have, but it’s a have-to-have for physical health and cognitive functioning.”
Today, even most adults are suffering with “Nature Deficit Disorder,” but don’t realize it. Some of the proven benefits of being outside and in nature include:
lower blood pressure
decreased stress hormone levels
improved immune function for infections & cancer cells
reduced anxiety & depression
improved memory
increased self-esteem
improved mood
improved sleep quality
lowered risk of diabetes
reduced inflammation
improved recovery from trauma
These numerous benefits clearly shows that we’re not meant to be in boxes all day, no matter how nice we make them. Most of the positive health effects of being outdoors are the result of improved brain health and fitness. Since the brain and nervous system is essentially the body’s healing system, anything that can improve your brain function will also improve your healing capacity.
This simple habit of spending more time outdoors is more essential now than ever before, because our indoor environments are no longer relaxing with the proliferation of WiFi and smart devices. Remember that brain and neurological disorders are continuing to rise around the world and this overexposure to these unnatural electromagnetic fields is likely fueling this growing problem. Giving your body’s own electrical system a break from this stressor is vital, so be sure to use airplane or flight mode on your devices whenever possible, while you’re de-stressing and re-connecting with life outside.
While the benefits of nature have been measured even after just two minutes, the lasting benefits require more time. The minimum required amount of time outside in nature is only about two hours per week to get the most rejuvenating benefits. This simple act of being outside can calm the mind, heal the whole body, and allow you to be human again.
By Dr SJ NANA, DrNana.co.za
References:
8 Ways Being In Nature Heals Your Mind And Body (According To Research)
Forest bathing enhances human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins
Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing
A Review of the Benefits of Nature Experiences: More Than Meets the Eye
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It is so beautiful to be out in nature and admire God’s power. I feel closer to God. He is my Creator and Maker of Heaven and earth 🌝🌻