Nature’s Healing Haven
Nature may play a larger role in mental health than we realize.
Photo from pixabay.com
With the rise of the technological era, Americans have been spending less time outside, and more time on their phones. According to a 2019 APM study, 16% of Americans never spend their free time in nature. Yet, studies have shown that our relationship with nature is essential when considering mental health.
Stepping outside and appreciating Earth’s natural resources has long been proven to provide various health benefits, including decreased stress and improved social interactions.
“You can boost your mood just by walking in nature, even in urban nature. And the sense of connection you have with the natural world seems to contribute to happiness even when you’re not physically immersed in nature,” says Lisa Nisbet, Ph.D., a psychologist at Trent University in Ontario, Canada, who studies connectedness to nature.
One possible explanation for this phenomenon is the biophilia hypothesis which posits that humans have an innate connection to nature as well as other forms of life. This connection reaches the emotional level, causing humans to have increased fear and anxiety when separated from natural features and environments.
However, the term “nature” is not just limited to the outdoors, especially in regard to mental health. Watching nature through windows and documentaries has also been shown to benefit mental health. Thus, anyone can have access to this form of mental therapy, no matter the location. A 2017 study by BBC Research with Professor Dacher Keltner, who teaches psychology at the University of California, Berkeley found that nature documentaries increased positive emotions of awe, wonder, joy, and excitement.
“The shifts in emotion demonstrated in the BBC study as a result of watching this powerful natural history series are significant as we know that wonder and contentment are the foundations of human happiness,” Keltner says. “If people experience feelings of awe, they are more likely to display empathetic and charitable behaviors and have been shown to be better able to handle stress.”
Earth’s natural resources have vast potential in the realm of mental health. There is significant research evidence to show that increased interaction with nature can boost one’s quality of life. Simply by going outside and taking a stroll, we may be able to promote our own well-being, increasing productivity within our lives.