What Nature Does for Us

You may be wondering what all the fuss is about: does nature actually benefit us, and if so, how? We compiled this blog post to answer just that, in the hope that it will inspire you to grab your boots and get outdoors. Research is continuing to uncover more and more benefits of spending time in nature, and we'll share some of these with you now.

It lowers stress and lifts your mood 

Reduction in stress levels is a well-known benefit of immersing yourself in nature. The production of stress hormones (cortisol) is reduced, consequently improving your overall mood. Feelings of anger and fear are also reduced, and boredom can be alleviated. Research has shown that those who suffer from depression experience a lift in mood after spending time in nature, and people battling anxiety experience short-term reductions in anxiety. One study found that engaging in physical exercise in nature significantly boosted both mood and self-esteem. 

It improves your memory

Time spent walking in nature has been shown to improve short-term and working memory. One study showed that people suffering from depression experience an improvement in memory span, and similar research suggests that short-term memory can be boosted by up to 20%.

It improves problem-solving and creativity

If you're ever experiencing writer's block, or you're searching for that 'Eureka!' moment, you may want to step out into nature for a while. Just 20 minutes in nature improves overall cognitive function, which lends itself to problem-solving and creativity. Participants in one study scored a whopping 50% higher on a creativity test after spending just 3 days in nature (I highly recommend listening to 'The 3 Day Effect' by Florence Williams on Audible, which explores the benefits of nature on wellbeing and trauma recovery, using experiments such as the one aforementioned). 

It has physical benefits

Even a slow amble in nature gets you moving, and any form of exercise is beneficial to your physical and mental health. Time spent in nature has been shown to reduce inflammation, which can have long-term health impacts and cause illnesses such as depression and inflammatory bowel disease. It also lowers blood pressure and reduces your heart rate, which can improve your overall health.

Convinced?

Hopefully this post gives you an insight into how nature might be able to benefit you. It's easy to get swept up in our modern world of urban environments and technology, but it's important to go back to our roots and spend time in the natural world. The healing powers of nature are truly extraordinary. 

Easing Out of Winter

Winter can be tough. The short days seem relentless, with many of us commuting to and from work during the hours of darkness. The cold nips at your toes and fingertips, damp seeps in to every corner of your home, and for the most part, the sun stays firmly seated behind thick grey clouds. As a result, it's common to feel down: 1 in 3 of us will suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression that usually affects people during the winter months. 

As we enter March, you can almost hear the collective sigh of relief as we race towards spring. Lawns are now studded with the heads of purple crocuses, bright yellow daffodils begin to bloom and birds start to sing again in anticipation of the breeding season ahead. Now is a really good time to go out into nature and absorb the changing seasons. Go outside, and try to tune in to your senses as you slowly walk along.

What can you see? Are there buds adorning the trees? Notice the different colours of the spring flowers you pass. Examine the negative spaces: patches of sky between skeletal branches, areas of soil between scattered fallen leaves, thin gaps between the trunks of trees. What patterns do you notice?

What can you hear? Are there birds calling or singing? Perhaps you can hear the beating wings of a Wood Pigeon in flight, the buzz of a freshly emerged queen bumblebee searching for a nest site, or the quiet rush of distant traffic. Can you hear water? The trickle of a stream, the rush of a river or the gentle hush of waves as the ocean meets the shore. Close your eyes for a moment, and focus on the noises around you.

What can you smell? What does the air smell like? Fresh and clean, or damp and earthy? Can you smell the recent rain? Bend down and sniff each flower, and reach up to catch the sweet scent of every blossom. Focus on your breathing. Take some deep breaths: inhale slowly (count to 3), hold for 3, and then exhale slowly (count to 3). 

What can you feel? Stroke the bark of trees. Some is rough, old and weathered, whereas some is smooth and delicate. Touch different leaves; are they furry, smooth or waxy? Pay attention to the vast array of textures in nature. Notice how your feet feel when they are rooted to the ground. How does it feel to take a step? Do your feet sink into sticky mud or fall upon soft grass?

Tuning into our senses in this way is a really good method for focusing on the present, rather than preoccupying ourselves with worries and distracting thoughts. Remember to make time in your schedule to go outdoors, especially now the days are stretching in length, and the sun is gracing us with her warming beams ever more frequently as we leap into spring. Take care of yourself - x