FEEL GOOD WITH NATURE
23 MARCH 2023
A lot of homes are filled with an amazing array of entertainment now, ranging from home theatres, games rooms and computers, all in an air-conditioned space. This may be great for a bit of chill time but it seems that more and more people are hiding in their homes and forgetting about the outside world. If we can just open the door and step outside, we would find a whole environment that can have amazing health effects on us. Just minutes of being in nature begins the process of our muscles in our bodies relaxing and improve blood flow/circulation. This is beneficial in reducing stress which then can improve our sleep, mood and support our immune system. You don’t just have to take your naturopath’s word for the evidence to be proven. In 2019, a clinical study of 19,806 participants showed that spending time in nature and grounding yourself with the earth for around 120 minutes spread out over a week had amazing benefits to health and well-being. It was found that just getting outside in the sun and air, whether it be in a green space or a cityscape can help you feel more complete in your mind and body.
A benefit to spending time outdoors includes improved sleep quality and the time it takes to fall asleep. Usually our body clock is led by the sun, which in turn keeps us awake during the day and tired at night. Artificial light inside your home can mimic sunlight but natural sunlight is 200 times more intense than internal lights so natural sunlight exposure affects our circadian rhythm more effectively.
My favourite benefit of getting out in nature under the sky whether it be night, day, raining or sunshine is the ability to restore my mental wellbeing, even if it is for a short time. This reminds me that all is good in my world. Our fast-paced modern life is full of road noise, flashing lights and screen, phones ringing and noises that we often can’t even understand where they are coming from. All this craziness can increase stress levels, thus cortisol levels without even knowing it. Going out into nature allows our mind to slow down without distractions, to use our senses with intention and to just embrace the moment. Research has shown that even a short time in nature can assist in being more focused and relaxed so why wouldn’t we?
Just a side note. I couldn’t end it there without sharing my favourite fun fact. Did you know that putting sliced mushrooms in direct sunlight for 30 minutes before cooking/eating can increase their vitamin D content. How good is that, to have a non-animal source of vitamin D which is also beneficial for mood.
By Nicole Thomas - Naturopath.
First seen in the Seasonal Magazine: Autumn 2023
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