Have you ever felt more at peace than when you have been in nature’s presence? I know I haven’t. Psychology studies have shown that being in nature provides numerous opportunities for renewal and rebalancing ourselves. Even if you live in an area that does not have easy access to nature by having indoor plants or views of nature reduced anxious feelings. It has been found that an individual’s experience of being in touch with nature in some form improves self-esteem and overall life satisfaction.
So what exactly are the psychological benefits of being out in nature? Ecotherapy is an area of psychology that looks into the benefits of healing the mind through the natural world. Being out in nature can help with our mental & physical health and wellbeing; it reduces feelings of anger and stress, helps us feel more relaxed and improves your mood. It also helps with you being more active and improving your physical health by exercising and moving about, which will have a knock-on effect on your sleep quality and happier moods. Physical activity releases endorphins which triggers a chemical release and a positive feeling in the body, as well as dopamine and serotonin balancing your body’s level of stress hormones, such as adrenaline. Win, win right?
Top tips for your nature lifestyle:
1. Spend time away from technology when you are in nature – take in the beauty and think of at least 3 things that you appreciate being on in nature for. Some examples might be – the colours of the flowers, the smells of the forest, the air quality, the sound of the ocean, the lush green grass, the sunshine, the open space, the fresh oxygen from the trees… and so many more!
2. Don’t feel pressured to stay outdoors for long periods, if you can only manage a short amount of time outdoors then pay attention to the feelings of the nature around you.
3. Exercise in nature, whether it is walking, running, yoga, gardening or doing some cardiovascular activity in the clean fresh air. It will give your lungs the chance to take in quality, refreshing air and clear your mind – a good way to balance your entire being.
4. Enjoy it. Try and go out with a friend or family and together appreciate natures beauty. It is a great way to connect and share the experience.
I would love to know how to connect with nature. How do you engage with it? Do you live near a beauty spot and how does it make you feel? Comment below your favourite place in nature that you would love to visit.
“Nature is pleased with simplicity. And nature is no dummy.” Isaac Newton
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/exercise#1
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01058/full
P.S Thank you Decisivemoments for your beautiful nature photos. They are so inspiring and I love following your page. You all should check his work out on Instagram @decisivemomentphotos 🙂
Best Life With Becca 