mental health: nature and the environment

In honour of mental health awareness week, I will talk you through research and benefits found for the importance of nature and the environment for our mental health wellbeing.

Nature can be green or blue areas such as, parks, forests, beaches or mountains. It can also be living things such as, plants, trees and animals.

Anything that hasn’t been majorly altered by humans can be counted as nature, so this also includes natural disasters and the weather.

I have always been amazed at the beauty of nature. I would be really surprised if you haven’t.

To think that all of this beauty is natural, is mind blowing!

Looking at the mountains, the river or the clouds might even provoke deep questions and insights.

Is only our planet full of life? Why do we exist? How can something so beautiful and purposeful be an accident?

The soil, water, sun, air literally gives us everything we need for our survival.

There’s something about nature that leaves us all in awe.

As humans we have evolved magnificently in the material world. Technology, infrastructure, science and innovation has changed our world so much.

Despite our evolution, our body responds with the same flight or fight response to stressful situations as it did when there were actual threats many generations ago.

Intense feelings of anxiety can come from our fast-paced lifestyles and social media.

It’s important to know what mental health is and how to take care of your mind.

Due to our modern devices, work and lifestyle we spend a lot of time indoors when in fact our wellbeing lies with being outdoors.

Studies from America have actually found that patients who had a view of nature through their window in hospitals recovered faster.

The important thing is to connect to nature. Relish its beauty, find meaning and feel happy emotions while doing so.

You could use all your senses to connect to nature; here are some of the methods:

Listen to the rain
Watch the sunset and/or sunrise
Listen to the birds sing
Watch the clouds float
Walk on the grass
Touch trees
Smell the flowers
Get fresh air in the morning
Do gardening

Research has found that even watching nature documentaries, videos, and listening to audio has good mental health benefits.

You can even write about nature or draw it. Whatever makes you feel good and connected.

This is great news for those that can’t access nature or are too lazy to step outside.

If accessing nature truly is difficult for you, then you can bring plants at home which is just as effective as being outdoors.

The benefits of connecting with nature are endless; here are some of them:

Feel happier with life
Generates positive emotions
Increases creativity
Decreases depression and anxiety
Decreases stress, fear and anger
Increases pleasant feelings
Reduces blood pressure, heart rate and muscle tension
Increases ability to pay attention
Helps memory

These benefits are for all ages and gender. Nature is for everyone.

Your environment has a huge influence on your mental health.

The people that surround, what you watch, what you consume etc.

Research has found that a clean environment also lowers the rate of depression.

All these factors influence your mood and this will lead to either wanted or unwanted emotions.

Prolonged negative emotions reduce the quality of life and can lead to mental health illnesses.

It’s not always easy to leave a toxic environment but there is a lot that you can do to help yourself.

Decrease your screen time, leave your headphones at home and go outside.

Read, share, comment and let me know what you think!