Source: Sarah McMichael - Ontario
Parks Blog.
Do you ever find yourself feeling calmer, more relaxed, or more focussed after spending time in nature? That’s because time outside has studied and proven benefits for your mental health. Mental illness affects one in five Canadians in any given year. This World Mental Health Day, let’s talk about what some Vitamin N (nature) can do for your mental health.
A simple stay in the outdoors can do wonders for relieving
anxiety, stress, and depression. Countless studies have proven that nature has
a positive effect on your mental health. What you see, hear, and experience in
nature can improve your mood in a moment.
There is a strong connection between time spent in nature and
reduced negative emotions. This includes symptoms of anxiety, depression, and
psychosomatic illnesses like irritability, insomnia, tension headaches, and
indigestion.
Feeling stressed? Research shows a link between exposure to nature
and stress reduction. Stress is relieved within minutes of exposure to nature
as measured by muscle tension, blood pressure, and brain activity. Time in
green spaces significantly reduces your cortisol, which is a stress hormone.
Nature also boosts endorphin levels and dopamine production, which promotes
happiness.
Nature has a myriad of other brain benefits as well. Contact with
nature has restorative properties, increasing energy and improving feelings of
vitality and focus. Being nearby to nature has been shown to reduce symptoms of
ADHD.
Are you stuck on a project or idea? Being outside also improves
creative thinking.5 Proximity to green space can restore capacity for
concentration and attention.
Trouble sleeping? A two-hour walk in the woods is enough to
improve sleep quality and help relieve sleep problems. Sleeping away from
artificial light and waking up with natural sunlight can reset your circadian
rhythm, which will help you feel refreshed after a better night’s sleep.
Nature can also help with the grief process. This is because
exposure to nature causes better coping, including improved self-awareness,
self-concept, and positively affected mood.
The positive effects of nature affect the way you treat others.
People are more caring and positive when they are exposed to and around various
forms of nature.
Getting outdoors doesn’t have to be a lot of work. There are lots
of simple ways you can get quality time in nature.
Start with taking a walk in the woods. Nature walks help combat
stress while improving mental well-being. Want to take your walk to the next
level? Try forest bathing.
Move your workout into the outdoors. Regular use of natural areas
for physical activity can reduce the risk of mental health problems by 50%. Completing
activities like walking, cycling, jogging, or doing yoga in a natural
environment makes you happier than in the city.
Engage your senses to maximize the health benefits of being
outside. Breathe deep, as the scent of fresh pine has been shown to lower
stress and anxiety. Make sure to pause and listen, as studies show that
listening to nature sounds like bird songs and rushing water can help lower
stress levels.
Book a camping trip. Immersing yourself in nature for a longer
period of time is the best way to absorb the health benefits of the outdoors.
