The Power of Nature

Nature deprivation is largely due to hours spent in front of TV or computer screens. It has been associated with depression, loss of empathy, and lack of kindness.

Environments can increase or reduce our stress, which in turn impacts our bodies. The stress of an unpleasant environment can cause you to feel anxious, or sad, or helpless. This in turn elevates your blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and suppresses your immune system.

A pleasing environment can reverse that. Humans find nature pleasing in many ways. Here’s what we know:

• Nature heals
  • Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings.
• Nature soothes
  • Nature helps us cope with pain because we are genetically programmed to find trees, plants, water, and other nature elements captivating.
• Nature restores
  • Time in nature or scenes of nature are associated with a positive mood, and psychological wellbeing, meaningfulness, and vitality.
• Nature connects
  • Time spent in nature connects us to each other and inspires feelings that connect us to each other and our environment.