Benefits of Spending Time In Nature. Staying in nature can be a prevention of many diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Most of us live and work in purely urban spaces, having almost completely abandoned our connection to natural environments. Do you know everything you are losing by moving away from nature? I tell you more in the following lines.
10 Benefits of Spending Time In Nature
1. It improves short-term memory
Researchers have found that nature walks are more beneficial than city walks. The participants took a short memory test and were then divided into two groups. Some went for a walk around the arboretum, while others along the city streets. Upon returning, the participants took the test again. It turned out that the results of those who walked in nature improved by almost 20%. But a walk around the city practically did not affect the results.
Researchers who studied the effects of walking on patients with depression came to a similar conclusion .
2. It relieves stress
When we are in the forest, our heart rate and cortisol levels decrease , a hormone that is considered an indicator of stress. In Japan, they even prescribe ” forest baths ” to relieve stress .
And for office workers, stress is reduced, even if the office just has a window overlooking nature.
3. It Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation has been linked to autoimmune disorders, bowel disease, depression, and cancer. Scientists have found that after being in the forest, the level of inflammation in the body decreases in both young and old people.
4. It relieves mental fatigue
Surely you know the feeling when the brain seems to stall and you can’t concentrate on anything. This condition is called mental fatigue. Rest and return to normal will help stay in nature. According to studies , people feel better even when they see images of nature.
5. It Helps Fight Depression and Anxiety
Walking in the woods reduces anxiety and low mood and can be used as an adjunct to treatment for depression. Moreover, the positive effect is enhanced if you are close to water during a walk. It is also useful to play sports in nature. They improve mood and increase self-esteem.
6. It’s Good for Your Eyes
Scientists have found that outdoor recreation reduces the risk of myopia in children.
Taiwanese researchers observed two nearby schools, where the number of children suffering from myopia was about the same. They asked the leadership of one school so that students spend more time on the street during breaks. A year later, the proportion of short-sighted children in this school was 8.41%, and in the second – 17.65%.
7. It improves concentration
In one experiment, researchers gave participants tedious tasks that sapped concentration. Then one group of participants took a walk in nature, another in the city, and the third just rested without going anywhere. After some time, all participants completed the task of finding and correcting errors. The best results were shown by those who walked in nature.
Walking helps even children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. They were found to be able to concentrate more easily after a 20-minute walk in the park.
8. It Helps You Think Creatively
Imagine a side-effect-free treatment that is accessible to everyone and will also enhance your creativity . All this gives a stay in nature.
Studies show that those who spend four days in nature improve their creative thinking when solving problems by 50%.
9. It reduces pressure
Japanese researchers found that walking in the forest not only reduced stress hormone levels by 15%, but also lowered blood pressure.
10. It can be cancer prevention
Although there is no definitive evidence yet, early evidence suggests that being in nature, especially in the forest, stimulates the production of anti-cancer proteins.
Also, scientists from Japan found that in areas with a lot of forests, the death rate from cancer is lower.