Blog 5: Get Back to Nature: The Truest Form of a Zen Moment

Welcome back everyone! Last week, I discussed how aerobic exercise is very beneficial towards conditioning an individual’s cardiovascular system, such as the heart and blood vessels of the body, in addition to the respiratory system towards lowering blood pressure and the risk of other health problems without the need for gym equipment. Aerobic exercise consists of cycling, running, walking, hiking, and swimming. Today, I want to talk about how you can use the outside natural world for exercise, self-reflection, meditation, and overall stress prevention. I want you to keep an open mind and use the very outside to benefit your future health. I know personally, that due to the worldwide spread of COVID-19 affecting everyday lives, it has been hard resuming your daily routine. However, this should not stop you from leaving the house and enjoying the fresh air that nature has to offer. If you are feeling in any way, depressed, anxious, stressed, secluded, fatigued, disconnected, or at any point uneasy, go outside exposing all of your senses to the presence of nature. You do not have to execute a complex exercise routine. Just walking outside on a trail or sidewalk, or going to a public park with a family member, friend, or on your own can make you feel more relieved and at peace, raising your levels of happiness and positively impacting your wellbeing. It has been said throughout history that exposure to nature has improved an individual’s health and overall well-being. For example, “Hippocrates extolled the necessity of ‘airs, waters, and places’, for physical and mental well-being, and ancient Roman texts suggest that there are health benefits to countryside and greenspaces” (Franco, Shanahan, & Fuller, 2017 p. 1). In addition, viewing nature is said to be significantly beneficial towards the human health by reducing anxiety, stress, shortening hospital stays, lowering heart rate, and increased directed attention (Franco, Shanahan, & Fuller, 2017 p. 3). Not only viewing nature is beneficial when experiencing the outdoors, but your olfactory cortex in your brain pertaining to sense of smell is being stimulated to positively affect your mood, behavior, and cognition (Franco, Shanahan, & Fuller, 2017 p. 5). According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “. . . ‘natural odors derived from blooming plants increased calmness, alertness, and mood’” (Franco, Shanahan, & Fuller, 2017 p. 5). In the hopes that it is not raining, make sure to go outside once in a while and enjoy a nature-filled walk. Stay tuned and stay healthy!

#getbacktonature #stayhealthy

Please reach out or comment below on any personal experiences that you feel comfortable sharing!

References:

Franco, L., Shanahan, D., & Fuller, R. (2017). A review of the benefits of nature experiences: More than meets the eye. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(8), 1-29. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5580568/pdf/ijerph-14-00864.pdf