Dr Jenny Brockis advocates using nature as medicine to stay well.
If you’ve had ‘one of those days’ when everything that could go wrong did, what do you do to make yourself feel better? Do you reach for that extra glass of wine and commit to an evening of Netflix and ice cream? Tempting, I know.
Managing our stress and emotions isn’t always easy, but there is something you can tap into that’s readily available, accessible, essentially free and scientifically proven to work – using nature as medicine.
We’re so busy, caught up in the minutiae and overwhelm of everything, that the passing thought of “wouldn’t it be wonderful to take a break and escape to the country?” doesn’t eventuate.
We have created a nature deficit. This is believed to be what is contributing to the tsunami of rising stress, stress-related illness, mood disorders and burnout, because we evolved in nature and are part of nature.
It’s time to bridge the gap and reconnect to nature’s ability to keep us well. Here are five ways getting outside keeps you well:
1. Nature is our best stress buster
The greatest benefit from spending time in nature is its impact on stress levels, lowering cortisol, lowering your blood pressure and heart rate, and changing your physiology towards being in a calmer state. This happens within just a few minutes of being outside.
How much better do you feel after a walk in the park, spending time in the garden, or even just opening a window to look out onto a green or blue space? The other benefit of getting outdoors and among nature is that it helps you to sleep better too.
2. Nature restores focus
We spend a lot of time either in front of a screen or using our digital technology. This is mentally and cognitively exhausting. However, you can restore your attention in as little as 30 seconds by looking out over greenery.
Better still, going outside to look up at the sky to notice the passing clouds, the surrounding trees and vegetation, hear birdsong or the sound of water helps to calm the mind. You adopt a softer fascination to what you notice. This helps you regain clarity of thought, broadens perspective, makes it easier to solve problems and builds your resilience to life’s curveballs.
Taking 15 to 20 minutes out of your day to step outside is all that’s needed.
3. Nature keeps you healthy
One of our biggest health challenges is chronic disease which affects 50 per cent of us and contributes to poorer health and shorter lives. This is where nature provides protection against developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, depression, certain cancers and Alzheimer’s disease.
Research has shown how time in nature lowers levels of inflammation, the recognised cause of much of our chronic disease, and strengthens the immune system.
Phytoncides are the natural chemicals produced by trees that stimulate your body to produce more natural killer cells that work to make you less susceptible to illness.
The Natural Advantage by Dr Jenny Brockis.
4. Nature helps combat loneliness
Loneliness has become a major health issue, contributing to poorer mental, physical and emotional wellbeing, essentially shortening lives. It can affect anyone of any age, but those under the age of 25 years and over 65 are especially vulnerable and paradoxically it’s worse for those living in urban areas.
Health practitioners are now writing ‘green prescriptions’ to combat this. This is where an individual is encouraged to join a local outdoors community group.
Getting out into fresh air and sunshine boosts wellbeing by increasing levels of serotonin (our feel-good hormone) and oxytocin (our bonding molecule). It stimulates social interaction and more prosocial behaviour. New friendships are created. The added bonus being an increased sense of pride and purpose when contributing to a joint project.
5. Nature boosts awe and wonder
If you’ve ever stood outside marvelling at the night sky, or watched a magnificent sunset, that sense of awe and wonder reconnects you to the wider world at large. This nurtures gratitude, inner peace and serenity. You feel part of something much bigger than yourself. Little wonder many of our greatest artists, writers and philosophers have taken inspiration from nature.
It’s even been shown how spending time outside can boost your level of curiosity and creativity. What better way to come up with a brilliant new idea than to spend time in the great outdoors?
Let’s not forget the other benefit of nature as medicine: it’s fun. Time pressure melts away. You feel better, happier and healthier. What could be better than that?
