Hello Nature. Goodbye Stress in the great outdoors
People set off into the wilderness for different reasons. For recreation, exercise or family fun. But did you know that scientific studies over the years have proved spending time out in nature causes stress levels to dissipate. Sometimes even disappear or become totally meaningless. So what are you waiting for? However, you want to spend time in the great outdoors and for however long, the mental health benefits are on the next level. If your travels are starting to get your down, here is how to say hello nature goodbye stress.
The Benefits of Spending Time Outdoors
There are a number of benefits to spending time outdoors, and they are:
Nature and Cognitive Benefits
What is cognitive you ask? Well cognitive is activities your brain does like thinking, remembering, imagining, reasoning and using language. These activities are constantly happening in your brain. During the day your brain deals with a lot, it is always absorbing things and can become overloaded and overwhelmed which can mean your cognitive tasks of making decisions become blurred. Simple tasks of making decisions can become hard work and you can lose your focus.
Studies have proven that heading into nature, even for a short time helps let your brain unload and restore it’s focus. Now don’t think you need to go on a day-hike for this to happen. Having your lunch break outside in a green space can do the trick. It has been proved there is a powerful connection between natural open spaces and your brain activity. So when things get tough, go outside for a walk ‘to clear your head’. How many times have you heard this?
Nature and Mood Benefits
Anxiety, stress, anger and even depression are too common in our world. Studies have shown these conditions are on the rise due to the correlation between our time spent inside behind a computer or TV screen – that could be either working or playing. Even though these moods are unfortunately a part of life nature can help reduce them. Yep, being in nature can help reduce high levels of negative moods. Nature does this because it helps you have pleasant feelings, thus your brain releases ‘happy hormones’ thus lowering stress, fear, anger and depression levels.
Nature and The Human Connection
Studies have shown, yes, I’m saying this again, there is a connection between nature and humans. It is a natural thing this connection but sometimes it gets lost because of the modern world we are living in. But the science is there, scientists have been saying it for years – go outside into nature and you will be happier if you do. Connect to nature and in return, say goodbye to stress.
Ways to Get Outside While Travelling
Increasing your time with nature as you travel the world is as simple as:
- If you can’t get outside into nature, bring nature indoors. Having a plant or a few plants around you that you can look, can help with positive feelings. Maybe start a little garden with some herbs and vegetables. Digging in the dirt is a great way to interact with nature.
- Sit outside in your back yard. Take your shoes off and let your feet feel the ground underneath. Or look up into the sky.
- Go to your local park and sit amongst the trees in the open space.
- Pack a picnic and sit on a rug enjoying some food and nature at the same time.
- Head to your nearest National Park and go for a walk or hike. It doesn’t have to be a long hike. And this can be a great way to build your physical fitness while de-stressing your mind.
- Get away on a weekend camping trip. If you don’t have camping gear, there are plenty of places you could rent for the weekend that are in nature. Nature doesn’t have to be somewhere on a mountain, it can be by the beach or a lake. Water is known to have a calming effect as well and offer great health benefits.
READ MORE: Plan, Prepare and Pack for a Hike
Are You Ready to say Hello Nature. Goodbye Stress?
Being connected to the outdoors isn’t as hard as you think. Even a one hour lunch break sitting in a park will help. When life gets too much, even when travelling. Stop, say hello nature, joy and calmness and goodbye to stress and poor mental health.
Spending time in nature is SO important in regular life, and when we travel to cities it can be easy to forget to prioritize getting into nature. Thanks for sharing!