Whether you want relaxation and peace, or you need it for therapeutic purposes, nature always helps you. Here are some benefits of time spent in nature.
In a world in constant agitation, besides the beautiful and spectacular landscapes that it offers us, we can enjoy the many benefits of time spent in nature. Sometimes it works like a natural medicine that brings with it a wave of energy. Here's how he can help.
Anxiety and stress. Spending time outdoors helps lower cortisol levels, also called stress hormone. Cortisol is also responsible for activating the instinct of fighting or fleeing, and nature helps us with mental relaxation, disconnection from daily routine and optimal cognitive functioning.
Prevents and relieves depressive symptoms. The human brain also has chemicals called "antidote" neurotransmitters for depression and anxiety, these being serotonin and endorphins. They are responsible for the nervous system relaxation effects.
If you live near parks, forests or green areas, you can enjoy more of these benefits of time spent in nature.
Effects on the body. Walking outdoors has the effect of lowering blood pressure, heart rate, strengthens the immune system and helps post-operative recovery.
Attention deficit. Children who spend more time outdoors are at a lower risk of suffering from ADHD than those who stay indoors. One way of improving this condition is to encourage children to spend more time staring at nature. A day outdoors does not compare to a virtual, artificial setting, and spending time in open spaces lowers the aggressiveness or nervousness of the little ones.
Benefits of time spent in nature are also increased concentration, creativity, and socialization skills with others. While man-made landscapes assaulted us with various tedious stimuli, their natural counterparts offer us the chance to replenish our depleted mental resources, communicate better with ourselves, and find inner peace.
Time spent in nature also increases problem solving capacity, diminishes frustration, and facilitates the installation of a meditative and calm state that helps us to uncover the everyday problems and find new solutions for them.
By Anca Sabina Cosca, psychotherapist