“Come to the woods for here is rest.”
This concise but poignant quote by John Muir (American naturalist, writer, and conservationist who helped establish Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks) captures the essence of how spending time in nature is associated with better mental health and well-being.
Most of us agree that collecting shells with our children on the beach, staring up at a starry night sky, or even taking a cool, crisp walk in the woods in the fall usually makes us feel better. Across dozens of studies, research shows that spending time in nature positively impacts the well-being of both children and adults.
One study showed that city dwellers who walked near a body of water or under trees felt an improvement in their mood when compared to walking a route with less nature. Intentionally spending time in the woods, in a practice called “Forest Bathing”, has been popular in Japan, and has proven to provide measurable health benefits, including lowering blood pressure and reducing stress hormones. Trees release compounds that are protective and improve white blood cells which fight viruses and tumors. Time in a forest also can improve your mood, reduce stress, and sharpen your mind’s ability to focus.
Activities such as gardening, caring for animals, or nature-focused arts and crafts can provide healing, connection, and a sense of stability for children and families affected by trauma. For college students, a group alarmingly affected by anxiety, stress, and depression, it was shown that just 10 minutes of sitting or walking outside benefitted their mental health.
Despite the benefits, for some, due to socio-economic reasons, access to outdoor spaces is limited. Furthermore, depending on where you live, cold winter months and poor weather may impact the ability to get outdoors. While natural outdoor experiences are the ideal, looking at photographs of natural colors or nature scenes or a potted plant, or even virtual reality images of nature can have a positive impact on improving one’s outlook.
Navigating the demands of our busy and stressful lives isn’t easy, and we tend not to prioritize time outside as much as we once did. Relaxation activities (such as going on a bike ride or walk) have also been replaced with more time spent on social media and video games. As we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month this May, let’s try to make time for fostering connections with nature for the benefit of our mental health and well-being!
All Blogs are written by Professionals in the fields of Nutrition, Human Development and Diabetes.