Nature & the Brain
Nature has an extremely powerful effect on the brain, both mentally and physically. Over the years, study after study has shown the number of positive effects of stepping out of the city and into nature, a surprising statistic found that most people only spend 8% of their time in nature. Year after year, more people are moving to urban areas, which tends to place a wedge in their connections with nature.
Why is connection to nature so important for us? Here are just a couple of ways being in nature can contribute to better brain health:
Sciences backups the fact that being in nature can elevate your mood. One study placed half of its participants in an urban environment and the other half in a forest. The participants in the forest had lower heart rates, lower concentrations of cortisol, and lover sympathetic activity. An array of studies have all corroborated these findings, concluding that being in nature can lower levels of stress, depression, and anxiety.
Amazingly enough, being in or near nature helps you heal faster. In the early 1980s, a researcher visited and studied a small hospital in Paoli, Pennsylvania, where he gathered information about the recovery rate of patients who had gone a routine gall bladder surgery. The patients whose rooms looked out into a wooded area recovered faster and reported less pain and distress throughout their recovery. On the other side, patients that faced other buildings required three times the number of pain killers, and found that the recovery was slowed by a day or more. This study was very controlled, matching patients with equal age, gender, weight, status, etc. The only explanation for the expedited healing was the view of nature.
Sunshine is another significant contributing factor to elevated moods. Sun increases vitamin D which reduces swelling, helps to strengthen bones, and reduces osteoporosis. It's enjoyable to just feel the warmth from the sun on your skin after a long winter or rain day.
These are just a few ways being in nature can help both, mentally and physically. In the world we live in today, it's easy to forget how impactful just an evening walk can be, remember to give yourself a break from time to time to get outside! Roxy has activewear that is comfortable, lightweight, stylish and is crafted with sustainable tactics. Find the set here.
