Forgoing the confines of your office or study to spend time in wide-open spaces offers enormous physical, mental and emotional benefits.
The Japanese concept of shinrin-yoku has gained international attention in recent years – and with good reason. It’s known in English as “forest bathing” and is founded on scientific research that spending time in nature offers relaxing and healing benefits. The concept of shinrin-yoku says that simply going for a walk in nature and taking the time to absorb your surroundings, open your senses and breathe is actually a form of therapy – and it offers preventative health benefits too.
Escaping the confines of your office or study to spend time in wide-open spaces has been shown to reduce your blood pressure, as well as stress and anxiety. At the same time, it’s likely to boost the functioning of your immune system, your ability to focus and your energy levels, as well as improve the quality of your sleep. It’s even been linked to the deepening of friendships, and an increase in an overall sense of happiness.
How to access nature as a city dweller
If you live in a city and immersing yourself in a forest isn’t a realistic or practical option, there are many other ways you can incorporate nature in your day-to-day life. All of them will help you to offset the negative effects of being indoors surrounded by things like air conditioners, artificial lighting and electronics:
· Seek nature out
Make spending time in nature a priority: look for places that can help you achieve this, such as your garden or a public park. If you have the time, grab some friends and get out of town for the day – a hike at a nearby nature reserve will revive your body, mind and spirit.
· Put it in a pot
Although it’s best to put yourself in the great outdoors, bringing the outdoors inside is beneficial, too. Placing flowers or pot plants in hospital patients’ rooms have been shown to reduce the amount of pain medication required, as well as increase their recovery time.
· Exercise outdoors
You don’t need to be on a treadmill to go for a run and outdoor swimming pools work just as well. Reassess your exercise routine and try and exercise outside as much as possible. Because you’re getting a healthy dose of fresh air, you’re likely to find that your body doesn’t tire as quickly, and that you’re more invigorated.
· Eat naturally
As you focus on your sensory experiences of the natural world, don’t forget the sense of taste. Focus on eating food that comes from the earth – healthy, organic fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds will help to nourish your body from the inside out.
In today’s fast-paced, high-tech world, it’s all too easy to spend hours on end sitting at your laptop screen or scrolling through your social media feed on your phone, far from fresh air and the sun’s vitamin-D-filled rays. If you’re battling fatigue, depression and poor concentration, seek out some greenery, be mindful of its effects and reap the rewards.
Sources:
· Mindbodygreen: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-30024/a-doctor-explains-how-to-take-advantage-of-the-healing-powers-of-nature.html
· Shinrin Yoku: http://www.shinrin-yoku.org/shinrin-yoku.html
· Ian Banyard: https://www.ianbanyard.com/home/the-power-of-nature/
