Jan
28
Wellness, Walking and Nature
letting nature recharge our battery of senses brings balance to our personal and collective lives Michael J Cohen
Cooped up in a cold apartment and office throughout the day, a glance outside has in recent weeks offered nothing more than grey polluted skies and little inspiration to get outdoors. But being in nature, there is nothing more natural and worth every ounce of effort. So even on brown and grey days, the connections with nature can cause the gloom to lift, the spirits to rise and the energy to vibrate through my bones. To the north and east I may only see pollution, but as I look to the west and up, I see blue skies, green trails, and sunshine.
Green spaces
Nature offers us so much that supports our psychological and physical wellbeing, with considerable evidence now mounting to support the premise that “non-human nature has a profound influence on human wellness.”
In this study for instance, researchers looked at student experiences in nature over a period of more than 10 years and found that “teaching nature as nuture resulted in the improved ability to handle fear, improved self-confidence, improved self-reliance and improved understanding of the benefits of social co-operation.” Research also tells us that those who know they are moving to a space that is located in the vicinity of green spaces, like parks or gardens, have better mental health outcomes – for up to three years – than for those who know they are moving to an urban space without the green elements.
How much is needed?
Even small amounts of time exercising in green spaces offers short-term emotional gains which in turn can result in long-term health benefits with researchers suggesting that there is “…a large potential benefit to individuals, society and to the costs of health if people were to self-medicate more with green exercise.”
There is also a strong message for urban planners. Humans need green and blue spaces for healing, health, wellbeing, and to achieve optimum health and wellness. In a study involving a 15 minute walk in a natural setting, an urban setting and a video of the same in each setting, researchers found that emotional wellness and “the ability to reflect on a life problem where enhanced by the natural setting compared to the urban setting.”
Walking, the new ‘wonder drug’
But it’s not just the green spaces that can contribute to making us well.
The simple act of walking can do it too. Walking is the new ‘wonder drug’ that will lead us to optimum wellness, according to some researchers. Doctors should prescribe 30 minutes a day at least five days a week, and more for kids. Side effects may include, improved mood, improved sleep, weight loss, bone and joint health, and generally feeling good! Best of all, it’s free and those participating may actually find a way to reconnect with nature.
All joking aside, walking is fundamental to what people need to do to reduce the incidence of chronic disease, and to move toward and maintain positive health and wellness. It has been found that we don’t walk enough or spend enough time in outdoor environments. Surveys in Australia, the land of the great outdoors, found that Australian adults spend less than 20 minutes a day outdoors. In the US, Nature Conservancy polled over 600 kids and found that less and 40% spend any time outside during the week. And in Hong Kong in 2013 ophthalmologists encouraged parents to ensure young children get at least 30 minutes outdoors daily to help prevent issues with eyesight caused by too much indoor activity such as reading, TV and computer games.
This year the US Surgeon General takes the issue of walking seriously, promoting a new campaign calling for action to support and promote walking and walkable communities.
Walking takes time so it slows us down, and if we slow down we can take-in more of what surrounds us, we can be more mindful in our environment. Walking leads to social connections in our communities. Next time you go for a walk, especially if you are on a trail or in the bush, say hello to those you pass. A little kindness goes a long way to making people feel good about themselves, others and the space they are in. Walking is cheap and easy.
So perhaps consider walking where you need to go; a walking school bus for the kids; or go for a walk just because you can. And if you can, be in nature, in green spaces. Think about how you feel, and what words you may use to describe these feelings. The kids surveyed by Nature Conservancy used these words most often when referring to being in nature “peaceful, free, calm, happy, adventurous, alive, curious, and interested”. How beautiful!
Davis also reflects on the profound importance of this connection.
There is a deeply bonded and reciprocal communion between humans and nature. The denial of this bond is a source of suffering both for the physical environment and for the human psyche, and the realization of the connection between humans and nature is healing for both.
Next time you feel stressed and your are in the office, or you feel cooped up inside, escape for a short stroll, in green space, in nature and see how easily you can connect and heal. Above all, just walk.
For more inspiration here are some interesting stories on the idea of mindfulness and the environment.
