It is fascinating how nature restores us. If only we realised our intimate relationship with nature, we wouldn’t be destroying mother earth. The recently concluded 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 26) in Glasgow is less than encouraging.
There are many terms to describe the beneficial effects of nature on our well-being, such as forest bathing (“shinrin-yoku, 森林浴”), nature therapy, forest therapy, or therapeutic forest. They all share the concept that the body has an innate ability to heal itself, both mentally and physically. Reconnection with nature heals through physiological relaxation. Prolonged stress without relief is a well-known health hazard.
We can measure stress by the increased cortisol levels in blood or saliva, blood pressure, and heart rate. The culprit here is the high cortisol levels, which suppress our immune system (resulting in vulnerability to cancers and infections). Research shows taking walks in forested areas and walks taken in the city (with little greenery) produces different responses in the brain. Walks in natural settings are associated with reduced activity in the prefrontal area of our brain. These findings correlate with an increased sense of wellbeing and improved cognition.
The beauty of nature feels good! Positive emotions lower our stress levels and boost our immunity. We enjoy looking at plants because the natural patterns (fractals) we see lower our stress. These patterns can readily be seen in nature – in flowers, leaves, branches, ripples on the surface of a pond, or clouds in the sky. Looking at such patterns is calming. We begin to slow down, stop worrying, and become more appreciative of various things in our lives. Nature can transform negative emotions into positive feelings. It brings joy – if we allow nature to touch us more often.
Looking at nature fills us with awe. Interestingly, this feeling of awe (a sense of “small-self” to something larger and more potent outside us) produced by reconnecting with nature helps to promote prosocial behaviour and social health. In a paper published in the Journal of Personality and Psychology (2015), Piff et al. found that prosocial behaviour can, in turn, make people more generous and grateful. The research paper highlighted that grateful people are happier, more satisfied with their lives, less materialistic, and less likely to suffer from burnout.
In summary, walking or just being in natural surroundings lowers our stress levels and improves our health. And if we spend time with our friends or walk with them in a natural environment, it will also strengthen our social health.
Nature restores us. It is time we restore Nature.
Vince
Dr Vincent Chong is a retired Professor of Radiology at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore.
