Remember when your mom told you to go play outside? Turns out, she was onto something. Spending time outdoors can do great things for your body\u2014and your mind. It\u2019s so powerful that some doctors are even writing nature prescriptions for their patients. \u201cI prescribe nature time to my patients because there\u2019s a huge body of research supporting the idea that getting outside is one of the best things we can do for our health,\u201d says Melissa Lem, MD, director of Park Prescriptions, an initiative of the BC Parks Foundation in West Vancouver, British Columbia.<\/p>\n
Whether you live in a leafy, green suburb or a big city, here\u2019s how the great outdoors can make you calmer, happier, and more focused.<\/p>\n
Your brain on nature<\/h2>\n
\u201cDecades of research have shown that interaction with nature and feeling connected to nature are associated with reductions in stress and depression, improvements in cognition and our ability to focus, and lower heart rate and blood pressure,\u201d says Brandy-Joe Milliron, PhD, an associate professor of nutrition sciences at Drexel University.\u00a0<\/p>\n
How much outdoor time do you need? \u201cStudies show that people who spend at least 2 hours per week in nature report significantly better health and wellbeing than those who don\u2019t,\u201d says Lem. \u201cAnd the most efficient drop in cortisol, the primary stress hormone, happens between the 20- to 30- minute mark.\u201d<\/p>\n
Take it outside<\/h2>\n
Between mounting economic woes and a pandemic that just won\u2019t quit, we need outdoor time now more than ever. It\u2019s so effective that a new University of Colorado study found that people who spent time in green spaces during the first year of the COVID pandemic were significantly less likely to experience stress and depression than those who didn\u2019t.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But even if you don\u2019t feel anxious or blue, you can still benefit from nature\u2019s mood-boosting powers. Research reveals that people who feel attuned to nature tend to be all around happier. And they also report a more profound sense of wellbeing and self-growth.<\/p>\n
Bonding with Mother nature may even help you make healthier choices. In a recent study of 317 city-dwellers, Milliron and her team found that people who scored high on nature-connectedness tests ate more healthy foods, especially fruits and vegetables. While she isn\u2019t sure exactly why nature lovers have better diets, she has some suspicions. \u201cI think there\u2019s something special about how spending time in nature ignites our curiosity,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd I wonder whether that curiosity carries over into the foods we choose to eat and the ways we nourish our bodies.\u201d<\/p>\n
5 easy ways to connect with nature<\/h2>\n
Whether you only have a few minutes or an entire afternoon, these activities can help you tap into nature\u2019s healing powers.<\/p>\n
Go fishing, surfing, or laze on the beach. <\/strong>Grass and trees are good. But areas with bodies of water, known as blue spaces, can also do good things for your psyche. In addition to less stress and a sunnier mood, spending time by the water has also been linked to better relationships, more self-confidence, and stronger resilience.<\/p>\n Chill out by a fountain. <\/strong>Can\u2019t get to the beach? Try soaking in the soothing sounds of water. Simply listening to the sounds of nature for 15 minutes has been shown to ease muscle tension, slow pulse rate, and reduce stress.<\/p>\n Take a walk in the woods (or a tree-filled park).<\/strong> You\u2019ll emerge more calm, clear-headed, and energized. Plus, you\u2019ll get a health boost from breathing in immune-strengthening compounds released by trees and plants, called phytoncides, says Lem.<\/p>\n Plant a garden. <\/strong>Growing and caring for plants indoors or outdoors is a simple way to get up close and personal with nature, says Milliron. No green thumb necessary.\u00a0 \u201cIf you don\u2019t have experience growing plants, there are wonderful resources online and in print that can help guide new plant enthusiasts,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Gaze out the window. <\/strong>Can\u2019t get outside? Just looking at nature through a window or via picture can help. Images of the outdoors are so helpful that one study found that when students looked at photos of a verdant park after performing a set of math problems, their body\u2019s fight or flight response diminished.<\/p>\n In the end, \u201cyou don\u2019t have to be on the side of a mountain or in the middle of the back woods to find nature, you can find it in all kinds of places,\u201d says Lem. \u201cIf you feel <\/em>like you\u2019ve had a meaningful nature experience, that\u2019s when you\u2019ll notice the health benefits.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tKaren Ansel, MS, RD, CDN, is a nutrition consultant, journalist, and author specializing in nutrition, health, and wellness. Her latest book is Healing Superfoods for Anti-Aging: Stay Younger, Live Longer.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\tKaren Ansel, MS, RDN\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
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