Spring has arrived on the calendar and we wait patiently for it to be felt in our outer environment. With the arrival of longer days and the increase in the sun’s warmth, everyone’s energy rises in anticipation of the return of the green world.
For those of us in the northern hemisphere, is there any more hopeful sign than those tiny buds on the trees bursting open into leaves? Green leafy trees and plants and the riotous colour of flowers bring so much beauty to the world and beckons people outdoors.
Research around the world consistently shows the benefits of spending time outdoors in nature. New terms abound like “forest bathing” which the Japanese define as spending time outdoors under the canopy of trees. “Nature deficit disorder” defined by Richard Louv as “the loss of connection of humans with their natural environment”. Whole new branches of “environmental” psychology have been developed to study the positive impact of the natural environment on humans.
Time spent in nature (as long as people feel safe) translates into decreased stress hormones, decreased fatigue, improved mental health, improved immune function and an increased ability to focus. These improvements are present in all age groups. Being outside and using all our senses to appreciate nature promotes mindfulness and has been shown to increase empathy and cooperation.
So, head to your nearest green space and engage all your senses. It is the perfect antidote to COVID fatigue, recycled indoor air and hours spent in front of your computer screen. And it’s free!
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