Free Health Potion.

Looking into current research on the physical and

mental benefits of nature reconnection.

It’s not news that nature is good for us, the benefits of connecting with nature have been spoken of for thousands of years, from Roman texts on the pleasures of the countryside to 13th century monasteries’ guides to good health; even Hippocrates understood that air, water and places were important for our holistic health. 

In a progressively urbanised world it can feel difficult to connect with nature. However, many studies have been conducted in recent years which highlight the multitude of physical and cognitive benefits to reconnecting with nature in as small a way as looking at images on your phone! So let's talk about these super simple ways in which nature can give you a health boost.

First of all let's go right back to our origins as a species. Stress reduction theory believes that the natural world around us offers more restorative benefits than urban areas because of the role it played in our evolution. There is an innate connection we have with the natural world which actually activates our parasympathetic nervous system to reduce our body’s stress levels. Think of when you take yourself for a walk along a river or in a park, that sense of peace you often feel is your nervous system taking a chill pill. In fact, simply walking through a forest or natural space is shown to reduce cortisol levels in the body. Other fun facts are that according to recent studies bird sounds increase the recovery of skin conductance which is a measure of stress and the sound of water has been known for its relaxing effect on the mind and body. So I guess we are not that different from our ape ancestors!

Another fantastic theory is that immersing yourself in nature can help you reach higher levels of cognitive function, restoration and attention. This is due to the less demanding nature of nature in comparison to urban areas which tend to be distracting for the mind- therefore spending time in nature or even viewing nature imagery can help your ability to concentrate. This notion has been noted by key thinkers such as Bratman who believe that viewing images and videos of natural scenery can reduce indicators of stress such as heart rate. This was backed up by research done by another interesting fellow called Hartmann who confirmed that “imagery featuring pleasant nature scenery induces emotional responses similar to those experienced in real immersion in pleasing, non threatening natural environments.”

BRIEF INTERLUDE: This was actually why we started ‘The Nature Connective.’ When we discovered all the mental benefits of nature imagery alone we thought “wow, so people don’t even need to leave their house to reconnect with nature in a small way!” and now we exist!

It is fascinating how many ways nature can restore us and the research just keeps getting better. From trees reducing gaseous pollutants in the air, to indoor houseplants reducing the level of volatile organic compounds in our homes, the list of ways in which getting back in contact with mother nature can benefit us is awe inspiring. 

So make the most of the great big world around you in any way you can, nature is always accessible- even from your phone!

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References.

Bratman, G.N., Daily, G.C., Levy, B.J. and Gross, J.J., 2015. The benefits of nature experience: Improved affect and cognition. Landscape and Urban Planning, 138, pp.41-50.

Hartig, T., Mitchell, R., De Vries, S. and Frumkin, H., 2014. Nature and health. Annual review of public health, 35, pp.207-228.

Hartmann, P., Apaolaza, V. and Eisend, M., 2016. Nature imagery in non-green advertising: The effects of emotion, autobiographical memory, and consumer's green traits. Journal of Advertising, 45(4), pp.427-440.

Franco, L.S., Shanahan, D.F. and Fuller, R.A., 2017. A review of the benefits of nature experiences: More than meets the eye. International journal of environmental research and public health, 14(8), p.864.

Ohly, H., White, M.P., Wheeler, B.W., Bethel, A., Ukoumunne, O.C., Nikolaou, V. and Garside, R., 2016. Attention Restoration Theory: A systematic review of the attention restoration potential of exposure to natural environments. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 19(7), pp.305-343.