Supercharge mental health and well-being through nature, outside and indoors
The importance of natural, open spaces has long been recognized for their physical and mental health benefits. Forests, parks and even vegetated interior spaces bring calming and uplifting effects through sight, sound and smell. Just being awash in the color green instills a sense of peacefulness. Although scientific research into the psychology of colors is distinctly limited, the collective experience of marketers, designers and artists has determined that the color green solicits feelings of tranquility, good health and optimism.
Color aside, open spaces tend to be significantly quieter and calmer than city streets or building interiors. Stepping from a Manhattan sidewalk into the green interior of Central Park provides one extreme example. In Scotland, researchers used portable EEGs to compare participants’ brain activity as they walked through urban versus park areas. Brain waves while in busy urban spaces was marked by stress and frustration while those experienced in park spaces were more relaxed and meditative. The results indicate that while the brain remains just as engaged in parkland, the engagement requires much less effort. Our attention is held while allowing for reflection and meditation.
Yet another reason open spaces positively affect us involves biochemical influence. Specifically, the excretion of essential oils, or terpenes, by vegetation. Terpenes serve many plant functions including attracting pollinators, repelling pests and deterring predators. They convey the plant’s messages to its surrounding community, and humans reap positive, uplifting side effects by inhaling them. Whether it’s smelling a waft of jasmine, a sunny pine forest, or the prick of an orange peel, terpenes float through the air, enter our olfactory senses and prompt internal biochemical changes in mood and energy.
The result of all this green space? Lowered cortisol, pulse rate, blood pressure, depressive disorder symptoms, and sympathetic nervous system activity. Increased relaxation, self-esteem, creativity, short term memory and positive thoughts.
Obviously the best ways to connect with nature would be to immerse yourself in a vegetated, outdoor space through exercise, gardening or even moving to more lush neighborhood. However, just five minutes spent in nature yields tremendous benefits, meaning that even limited time or access need not be a barrier. Even those without the ability to physically access open spaces can bring nature to them.
Houseplants in a home or office bring the green and terpenes to human spaces, plus help improve air quality by removing volatile indoor pollutants and pumping out oxygen. Get a potted English ivy, wax plant or asparagus fern for the greatest cleansing power. Further harness plant power by bringing home flowers regularly, practicing aromatherapy, or using personal care products with essential oils. Just be sure the products use real plant oils versus synthetic fragrances or perfumes which contain no terpenes.
Regardless of lifestyle or physical logistics, it’s easy to incorporate more nature into daily living. The best effects are certainly derived from significant time spent in forested or well-vegetated open spaces, but even small measures like five-minute park walks or bringing nature indoors can yield positive benefits. Nature has the power to heal, uplift, rebalance, relax and inspire.
— Embrace hope.
Does your daily routine already include a nature experience? Where/what is your favorite open space? If you don’t already connect with nature regularly, do you think it would benefit you?
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Rebounz: a start-up with a mission to instill hope in people experiencing mental health struggles around self-worth, grief or uncertainty. www.rebounz.com Want to receive updates? Join our mailing list.
