By: Tamia
Comments: 0
Humans always like to spend time in nature, and somehow in the urban lifestyle, we seem to have forgotten it. Rediscovering your connection to nature can have surprising benefits. Just imagine what it’s like to be outside, birds chirping, wind in the trees, busy bees buzzing around. Nature is healing our bodies and our souls; spending time does wonder to us humans.
Indoor routines we developed are monotonous and have a negative impact on our mental health. According to a study published in PLOS One, natural environments create a sense of novelty and excitement in our minds. But our parents knew that already, do you remember them telling us to get out that we need to spend time outside. Well, they were right!
It’s called “ecotherapy”, and it really is a thing. Using nature as a tool, it is gaining popularity in the health community. The University of Essex found that taking a walk in nature lowered the depression scores in 71 per cent of participants.
If you look closely, you will start to see a fantastic ecosystem. The birds, butterflies, the shrub that provides protection. Leafs shivering in the wind, trees that been there for decades. You might just be inspired. Beautiful small things you can do to help the planet. Why not go for a little walk and think about it?
Natural light gives us vitamin D and helps synchronise our sleep cycles. When the sun goes down, our brains will release the right levels of melatonin to help get a good night’s sleep. A couple of hour walk in the woods is guaranteed to give a good night sleep.
Spending time in nature regularly has many physical benefits too. Your vision gets sharper, reducing glare from monitor screens and smartphones. Further studies showed that spending time in the woods each week reduces risks of various disorders, depression, cancer and autoimmune diseases.
There you have it – five excellent reasons why to spend time in nature and form a good habit. Keep going out regularly, and you will see further long term benefits. Rowhill Nature Reserve is 55 access in size with plenty of walks ideal for family days out. Dog walkers and disabled visitors are welcome, but we ask kindly not to ride cycling in out reserve.