Due to lockdown, working online and socialising online many of us are spending way too much time on screens. Nature is the perfect antidote to technology.
There are many studies that highlight the benefit of spending time in nature.
It can:
Reduce stress and anxiety levels.
Help improve job satisfaction.
Boost immunity by increasing the activity of natural killer cells.
Improve sleep quality.
Improve mental focus including memory and concentration.
Reduce blood pressure.
Improve symptoms of depression stress and anxiety.
Lower levels of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol.
Help to reduce children’s ADHD symptoms.
Did you know?
One of the reasons why nature has these healing properties has been down to something called fractals. Fractals are naturally occurring geometric patterns which occur in nature. They emerge naturally in clouds, snowflakes, raindrops, trees, rivers, lakes and along coastlines and our brains are hard wired to respond positively to these patterns.
Studies of brain scans show how fractals can activate the para hippocampus, an area of the brain which helps to regulate emotions. Research has shown that when we look at fractals, even for a short amount of time, we get spikes in alpha brain wave activity which is present when we are in a relaxed ‘thrive’ state.
Top tips
Try and get out daily, preferably in the morning light. Research shows that getting out in the morning light significantly improves sleep quality.
If you cannot get out at the moment, then try creating some green spaces in your home with some pot plants.
Even taking some time out to look up at the sky, the cloud formation, the stars, the moon as well as take in the sounds of nature, such as listening to the birds can help lower the stress hormones.
And let’s face it, as we wade our way through this third lockdown, we need to make the most of these gifts of nature!
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