Spending Time in Nature Enhances Health in SURPRISING Ways

AHA Publisher — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 07:00:10 +0000

Stephanie Woods via NaturalHealth365 – Most people know that spending time outdoors is good for mind and body. There is something magical about walking on the beach or going for a nice walk in the park while breathing in fresh, moving air. Even some doctors recognize the importance of getting outdoors, often “prescribing nature” to their patients. An impressive body of research suggests that individuals who spend at least two hours a week in nature enjoy better health and wellbeing, but far more ways than you may think. What Is “Nature Relatedness,” and How Does It Improve Health? Nature relatedness is the feeling of being connected to nature. When we feel connected with the natural world around us, we can expect various health benefits such as improved physical and psychological health as well as better cognitive function. In addition, people who practice nature relatedness also tend to have higher, more profound levels of environmental stewardship. Recent studies have also found that people who spend more time in nature often have better, healthier dietary habits. For example, they tend to eat more fruits and vegetables and have a more varied diet. In other words, when you spend time outside each day, you help your mind and body make better dietary choices, enabling you to become healthier as a result. So nature relatedness improves your sense of wellbeing both physically and mentally, and it also helps you adopt a healthier diet. Undoubtedly, changing your diet is not easy; but according to this recent research, getting into nature more often can help you succeed. Add Outdoor Time to Your Daily Routine Living and working in a rural area typically lends itself to outside time fairly easily. However, if you live and work in the city, it may not be as easy to enjoy the great outdoors. There are ways that you can still get your time outdoors, though. Spend 15 minutes a day sitting outside with your face to the sun. You can also sit on the grass. Just do something to get in direct contact with nature. As an added bonus for your health, get grounded by putting your barefeet on the grass or sand. Open the curtains and let the natural light in. Natural light is invigorating and a real mood booster. If you can open the window for some fresh air, that’s even better. Take a walk in the park. Most cities have parks, and many even have “green spaces” for people to enjoy. Spend a little time in these areas each day, whether on your lunch break or after work. Get some indoor plants. Having plants around you in your home or office is an excellent way to bring a little of the outdoors indoors. Of course, you should still try to spend time outside, but some nice indoor plants can help in a pinch. Plant some flowers. Any plants will do, flowering, edible, or decorative; just get in the dirt and plant them. You can then go out each day to tend to them, watering, pulling weeds, and checking on their progress – it is well worth the effort, and you can do it anywhere, even on your apartment patio or balcony. Even if you live in the middle of a concrete jungle, you can still find ways to bring nature to you. Don’t cheat yourself out of these amazing physical and psychological health benefits that it provides. Sources for this article include: ScienceDaily.com

The post Spending Time in Nature Enhances Health in SURPRISING Ways appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Researchers Highlight the Vital Role of Nature Exposure in Children’s Health

AHA Publisher — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 07:00:55 +0000

Washington State University via News-Medical – The presence of greenspaces near homes and schools is strongly associated with improved physical activity and mental health outcomes in kids, according to a massive review of data from nearly 300 studies. Published online Sept. 29 in the journal Pediatrics, the review conducted by Washington State University and University of Washington scientists highlights the important role that exposure to nature plays in children’s health. Importantly, some of the data examined the effects for kids from historically marginalized communities and showed that the benefits of nature exposure may be even more pronounced for them. “By looking at the full scope of existing quantitative evidence, we were able to see the importance of ready access to nature for both physical and mental health outcomes in childhood. Access to nature – and the benefits that come with it – are a necessity, not a nicety. Unfortunately, not all kids are able to have regular nature contact. This is due partly to urbanization, increased screen time and more sedentary indoor lifestyles.” Amber Fyfe-Johnson, Study Lead Author and Assistant Professor, Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health (IREACH), Washington State University Amber Fyfe-Johnson is also an assistant professor at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. Lack of nature exposure disproportionately impacts historically marginalized communities that typically have fewer nearby residential parks and access to outdoor spaces, Fyfe-Johnson added. Families with limited resources and transportation options also face barriers to accessing parks and natural areas outside the city. Although these findings may seem self-evident to some, and the American Academy of Pediatrics routinely recommends outdoor play time, convincing data on the health benefits associated with nature exposure have been lacking, due partly to inconsistencies in study methodologies and definitions of outdoor time. The authors point out that not all time spent outside is equal – a parking lot is not a park, and an urban playground without natural elements is not a garden. And without strong evidence to support the benefits to kids of spending time outside, in nature, there has been little political will to enact or enforce policies that ensure equitable nature contact, said Fyfe-Johnson. The researchers position their findings in the context of the nation’s urgent public health crises around physical inactivity and poor mental health, in addition to fundamental sociodemographic inequities in access to nature. These disparities and public health emergencies have only become further magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic, noted Dr. Pooja Tandon, the study’s senior author. “Making this information available to pediatric health care providers and policy makers provides support for practices and policies promoting environmental justice and equitable nature contact for kids in places where they live, play and learn,” said Tandon, an associate professor at Seattle Children’s Research Institute. Fyfe-Johnson points to prior evidence suggesting that contact with nature and greenspace may offer even greater health benefits to disadvantaged populations by counteracting some of the toxic effects of poverty. “We sincerely hope our work will help lead to improved access to nature and health outcomes for kids, in addition to reducing health disparities in childhood,” she said. To read the original article click here.

The post Researchers Highlight the Vital Role of Nature Exposure in Children’s Health appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

time in nature Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Spending Time in Nature Enhances Health in SURPRISING Ways

Researchers Highlight the Vital Role of Nature Exposure in Children’s Health