In today’s screen-based lifestyle, people are spending more time indoors, losing a valuable connection with nature . This shift to an indoor routine can have negative effects for your health and your mental wellness, because people are meant to be in touch with the world around them through direct interaction with it. Below is a closer look at the reasons to spend more time in nature in your daily life and the ways to achieve this goal.
Healing powers of nature
Studies dating back to 1984 have shown that there is health benefits connected to nature. Psychologist Roger Ulrich found that patients in hospitals who gazed out into a garden tended to heal faster and with fewer complications than those patients with no view outdoors.
Empowering stress relief
More recent studies have suggested that immersion in nature can significantly reduce stress and promote relaxation. This change is marked by the reduction in stress hormones that cause the fight or flight reaction in the body. Because of the physiological change that occurs when people are interacting with nature, nature therapy is a promising tool in holistic medicine that may benefit a wide range of patients.
Where to explore nature
You do not have to travel far to be part of nature. Even if you live in a big city, you can create your own nature retreat with a rooftop garden or local park. If you are in a more secluded area, you might simply take a walk outside each day to breathe in fresh air and enjoy the majestic views that Mother Earth has to offer. Longer weekend hikes through nature trails can allow you to tap even deeper into the meditative qualities of natural surroundings.
With Optimum Health Institute’s three-week program , you can learn to reconnect with nature in your daily life. At OHI, students learn techniques such as journaling, meditation, a diet of raw-live foods, and prayer to nourish the body, mind, and spirit. For more information on OHI’s holistic healing program, visit our website or call (800) 993-4325