Harnessing the Healing Power of Nature
Being from a small town in rural Gloucestershire, I grew up spending a lot of time outdoors. My grandparents owned a flower nursery in the countryside, so as a child my summers were spent playing in the fields with my sisters and riding my bike up and down the lane. If we went on a family holiday, it would nearly always be camping. Looking back I’m grateful for an upbringing where I was able to spend a lot of time connecting to the natural world. I appreciate what a privilege this was and how it helped to shape me and my views on the environment today. With technological developments and a global pandemic, many of us are spending more and more time inside and disconnected from nature. But spending time outdoors can help us to feel more present, relaxed and in tune with the world around us. As Einstein once said, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
As my connection to nature has deepened, I’ve become more aware of how healing it can be. Feeling fresh air enter the lungs, hearing the sound of leaves blowing in the wind, and seeing all the beauty that it has to offer always makes us feel calmer and more at peace. Many researchers have wanted to understand this calming effect on a deeper level and have taken to studying the many measurable benefits that nature can have on the mind and body. For example, a study conducted by the University of Exeter concluded that individuals who spend at least 2 hours a week in green spaces were much more likely to report feelings of good health and psychological wellbeing than those who didn’t.
“There is an ever growing body of research into the impact that nature can have on our wellbeing and it seems to point in one direction - being in nature is good for our health.”
Another study found that being in nature helped to promote calmness, a sense of community and purpose, whilst reducing feelings of isolation. Nature has even been shown to have physiological effects on the brain and body. A 2011 study found that spending time in nature can help to reduce blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels, whilst increasing parasympathetic nerve activity. Those who live closer to green spaces have even been shown to live longer.
The research into this is compelling and there are hundreds more articles that I could mention here. There is an ever growing body of research into the impact that nature can have on our wellbeing and it seems to point in one direction - being in nature is good for our health.
With many of us still working from home, it can feel difficult to weave outdoor time into our days. We don’t all have acres of fields on our doorstep, but the beautiful thing about nature is that it’s never too far away. You might go for a walk along a river, canal or beach. Or take a trip to a national park, hill or mountain range. Or, you might do something as simple as sitting in the garden looking at all the beautiful flowers and hearing the birds sing. Wherever you are, we can all get our little fix of the natural world. And the best part? This healing power is totally free!
So as we move forward into spring, let’s step outside and reconnect to nature. We can all use this powerful resource to help us feel more grounded, relaxed and benefit our mental wellbeing.
If you like the idea of practicing yoga outdoors, take a look at my weekly sessions or the Summer Day Retreat taking place this August!