We have intuitively known for centuries that being in the presence of nature is a magical experience that makes us feel alive and well. Now with the help of modern science, we can explain nature’s effects in a language that more people can wrap their minds around. Let’s explore 10 ways that nature affects us!
Written By https://natureconnectionguide.com
PHYTONCIDES
As a defence against disease, insects, and severe temperature fluctuations, coniferous trees such as pines and cypress release airborne compounds called Phytoncides; studies have shown that when we breathe this compound into our lungs, it has a fantastic effect on our health. Amazingly, our NK cells and anti-cancer protein levels are increased and remain elevated for days. NK or Natural Killer cells are essential to a healthy and robust immune system that can fight many illnesses. So Next time you visit a forest of pines, take a deep breath and know your body is responding to the therapeutic properties of the trees.
SOIL
We've been intimately interacting with soil for our entire existence as humans. Still, recently our obsession with sterility and cleanliness has moved us away from the benefits that soil innately provides. Within the earth exists a myriad of bacteria, including one that has been getting a lot of attention, called Mycobacterium vaccae. A growing body of research suggests that this bacteria can lower our stress and anxiety levels, improve our moods and boost our immune defences. Next time you find yourself digging in the earth, smell the soil and see how that makes you feel.
AWE
We feel awe when we experience something truly profound such as the northern lights, the grand canyon, a massive waterfall, a total eclipse or a particularly harrowing rapids trip. That feeling of the sublime does something to us. But what exactly?
It wasn't until fairly recently that science started to assess the "awe factor". Research by Jonathan Haidt and Dacher Keltner in 2003 found that when people experienced awe, they had increased feelings of connectedness and were more willing to help others. "Awe-inducing events may be one of the fastest and most powerful methods of personal change and growth," they wrote. Much research has been done since, and awe is being implemented today as a therapeutic tool to ease symptoms of PTSD.
We act more generously and ethically during awe and residually afterwards and often feel a deeper connection to others and the world. We lose ourselves and recognise that there is something more significant. We get a glimpse of the interconnectivity of the world and the universe, and that's genuinely awesome.
NEGATIVE IONS
When you're by waves crashing at the beach, a waterfall, a river, or when you're in a dense forest, you're likely breathing in negative ions in abundance as they evaporate from moving water. Plants also release negative ions, which attach themselves to and effectively remove particles such as dust, mould spores, bacteria and allergens. The presence of high levels of negative ions in the air is credited for improving psychological health, cognitive functioning, productivity, and wellbeing and reducing stress, depression and anxiety. So while huffing in these ions isn't a cure-all, nature is sure here to help.
FRACTALS
Fractal shapes are defined by simple mathematic rules that apply to a vast array of things that look visually complex or chaotic. In a fractal, patterns are repeated over and over in a loop ad infinitum, creating images that appear chaotic but have order. Fractals are familiar to us as they are found everywhere in nature, in clouds, waves, coastlines, shells, leaves, ferns, lightning, pine cones, snowflakes, mountains and flowers. We are even made up of fractals; as we scan our environment, our lungs, capillaries, neurons and movements of the eye's retina are in fractal patterns.
Physicist and artist Richard Taylor found through EEG measurements that people's brainwaves indicated a relaxed state when they looked at fractal patterns commonly found in nature. These fractal images engage us, lull us, make us self-reflect, and awe us. "The stress reduction is triggered by a physiological resonance that occurs when the fractal structure of the eye matches that of the fractal image being viewed." So says Taylor referring to how our eyes are hardwired to understand fractals.
Knowing this, you may now look at nature in a whole new way.
EARTHING
We've evolved with the earth and are not in touch anymore. By not being grounded to the earth, our health may be taking a toll. The act of reconnecting with the earth by means such as walking in bare feet is called "grounding" or "earthing". There is the hypothesis that by reconnecting with the earth, we can experience improvements in sleep, gastrointestinal symptoms, a decrease in pain, inflammation and a reduction in feelings of stress.
The sun is intrinsically tied to our moods and overall wellbeing. Exposure to the sun has shown to boost levels of the 'feel-good hormone serotonin. And serotonin can affect mood and social behaviour, appetite and digestion, sleep, memory and sexual desire and function. Alternatively, when we're not getting enough natural light, it can also lead to SAD or 'Seasonal Affective Disorder. By being in tune with the sun's cycles, we also have the opportunity to align our circadian rhythm and help regulate our melatonin levels for a more restful night's sleep.
The most profound way we are affected by the sun is from our body's absorption of Vitamin D. We absorb D through our skin by exposing our arms, face, and body to the sun's rays. Vitamin D is vital for good health, and we get our dose primarily through the sun. With the right amount of Vitamin D, we can help keep our bones healthy, improve cardiovascular function, keep the lungs and airways healthy, boost muscle function, support our body fight off infections and protect us against cancer.
SOUND
The gentle babbling of a brook and the wind in the trees can physically change our minds and bodily systems, helping us to relax. New research explains that soothing nature sounds affect the physical systems that control the flight-or-fright and rest-digest autonomic nervous systems, with associated effects on the brain's resting activity.
Alternatively, the quiet often only found in nature also has a profound effect. Studies show that when we experience extended periods of silence, stress and tension are relieved, our mental resources are replenished, and we can have an opportunity to engage the brain's "default mode network".
In other words, we can daydream, meditate and let our minds wander
AROMA
Aromatherapy has long utilised natural smells to alter our moods and conditions. Smelling pine, for example, has been shown to help boost metabolism and relieve pain and stress. Lavender helps decrease anxiety and insomnia and promotes the "rest and digest" brain response promoting relaxation. Sage, Peppermint, Rosemary- we can find all these beautiful fragrances in nature, so let's stop and smell the roses.
FUNGI
Psilocybin mushrooms, otherwise known as "magic mushrooms", have been used effectively in therapeutic settings to treat various ailments and disorders, including cluster headaches, obsessive-compulsive disorders, anxiety, depression, and addiction. As a result, there is a movement within FDA to recategorise it from schedule 1 to schedule 2.
There is a massive potential that psilocybin and related compounds could revolutionise the mental health field. According to mycologist Paul Stamets, "We have never seen anything with such a strong safety profile give so much benefit for so little cost for such a long time."
Fungi is honoured whether it's creating awe-inspiring and life-altering life-altering mystical experiences or micro-dosing to help cure and relieve mental conditions.
Please visit https://natureconnectionguide.com for more great information about the health benefits of nature.