The level of disconnection between humans and nature is increasing at a rapid pace. In the year 2008 humans officially became a predominantly urban species, with over 50% of the worldwide population living in towns and cities. Today, roughly 80 percent of Americans live in urban areas, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Benefits of Nature
Why does this matter?
For the benefit of our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health, humans need access to nature on a consistent basis. We need to intentionally get outside. When we are distant from the great outdoors, though we often can’t pinpoint the sources of these feelings, we become increasingly stressed, anxious, irritable, depressed and tired.
The challenge to immerse yourself in nature, away from people and the noise of society, may seem overwhelming and a bit impossible. Here’s the good news: you do not need to plan a weekend camping trip to receive the benefits of nature. (Although that is a great idea!) A few minutes, sitting outside in a natural area, directing your focus on your surrounding environment, can dramatically impact your mental health for the better.
The Benefits of Viewing Nature
Did you know that just viewing nature through a window can not only elevate your mood but can also help you physically heal quicker?
In 1972, Dr. Roger Ulrich conducted a ground-breaking study on patients who were hospitalized for gallbladder surgery. Conducted over a period of nine years, this study compared the outcome of patients who had hospital rooms with a window that looked out onto trees and green space, and patients whose window viewed a brick wall.
The results were stunning. The research showed that patients who were able to view nature from their hospital bed spent less time in the hospital, requested fewer pain medications, were more pleasant per nursing reports, and healed quicker than patients whose room viewed a brick wall (Ulrich, 1984).
Dr. Ulrich is now the most frequently cited researcher internationally in evidence-based healthcare design. His accolades are immense, and his work has directly impacted the design of billions of dollars of hospital construction and improved the health of patients around the world.
Looking at nature not only improves your attitude, but it improves your physical health. Fascinating right? Imagine what being in nature can do for our health.
The Benefits of Living Near Nature
Did you know that ample studies show that casually walking through a forest decreases levels of cortisol — a hormone often used as a marker for stress?
Out of hundreds and hundreds of studies conducted on nature and health, I picked a few of my favorites to highlight:
In 2009, scientists in the Netherlands examined morbidity data derived from electronic medical records for more than 345,000 people and tallied the prevalence of 24 disease clusters. For each patient, the researchers calculated the percentage of green space within one and three kilometers of their residence. Demographic characteristics and socioeconomic factors were taken into account. Results showed that out of the 24 disease clusters (high blood pressure, cardiac disease, asthma, arthritis, stroke, neck and back pain and a variety of other common ailments), 15 were significantly less frequent in greener areas, and none were more frequent. Important to note, the relation was strongest for anxiety disorder and depression. (Mass et al, 2009).
The Benefits of Walking In Nature
Research tells us nature has a positive impact on our mental health, offering us a resource for reducing anxiety and depression.
In 2015, Gregory Bratman with Stanford University conducted a simple study, involving two groups of adults who took a 90-minute walk in either a natural area or urban area. Participants had their brains scanned before each walk, and the results were noteworthy, to say the least.
Participants who walked in the natural area had decreased levels of activation in the part of the brain that is associated with rumination. Contrary to that, participants who walked in the urban area had no change in their subgenual prefrontal cortex (Bratman et al, 2015).
Why is this important?
Rumination occurs in the subgenual prefrontal cortex and is the repetitious thought pattern of one’s negative emotional state or experiences. It is that ‘stinking thinking’ that keeps our brains on a loop; replaying the scene, conversation or restating the negative core belief. Rumination leaves us feeling like we will never get off that unwanted train of thought. Furthermore, rumination is often a symptom of anxiety disorders and depression. Therefore, this study shows that going outside can actually ‘quiet’ your mind and help your brain get off that negative thought-loop.
This study is the perfect example of how a simple walk outside can actually change our brains and provide real-time positive benefits for our emotional and mental state. Gregory Bateman is one of the leading researchers in investigating how our environment impacts our well-being.
Incorporating Nature Into Your Life
Remember, you do not need to climb Everest to receive the goodness of nature. Setting aside intentional time daily can impact your health dramatically.
We suggest to our clients to make a daily, weekly, monthly and annual goal for convening with nature. For example, set a goal of being outside for 30 minutes a day, go to a local park weekly, state park monthly, and national park annually.
If you are looking for a more wilderness experience and are ready to truly disconnect, check out our Onsite Adventures Program – a program curated to provide the optimal benefits of nature and to provide you an opportunity to experience nature at its finest.
References:
Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, P. J., Hahn, K. S., Daily, G. C., & Gross, J. J. (2015, May/June). Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 112(28), 8567-8572. doi:10.1073/pnas.1510459112
Maas, J., Verheij, R.A., Vries, S., Spreeuwenberg, P., Schellevis, F.G., Groenewegen, P.P. (2009). Morbidity is related to a green living environment. J Epidemiol Community Health, 0, 1-7
Ulrich, R. S. (1984, April 27). View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. American Association for the Advancement of Science, 224, 420-423. Retrieved from Gale Group.
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