Healthy Habits
Nature benefits mental, physical health
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BY SEBASTIAAN ZUIDWEG e live in an era of instant gratification and there is a trend toward living more of our daily lives online. Many people turn to online resources (both reputable and others, not so reputable) for quick answers to solve problems related to reducing stress, boosting the immune system, getting better sleep ... the list goes on. What’s often forgotten is that one of the easiest pathways to healing mental and physical ailments is simply spending time in nature. Spending time in nature has proven benefits and healing qualities for the brain and mental health. Researchers and therapists alike have dubbed nature as a “universal prescription” due to its accessibility and inherent benefits to mental wellbeing. Today, physicians are prescribing time outdoors for their patients to help with issues and symptoms ranging from depression, anxiety, attention-deficit disorder, memory loss, sleep loss and more. According to the Behavioral Sciences journal, visiting green spaces and exposure to nature can help reduce stress levels. Other benefits of spending time outside include improved immune systems, a regulated internal clock and increased energy. Our lives are inundated with the demands, stresses and expectations of fast-paced work environments, home life and society in general. According to Mariah Loftin, clinical therapist at Open Sky Wilderness Therapy, “The emphasis [in wilderness therapy] is not on
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multitasking. It isn’t on giving and receiving enough likes, comments and follows. It’s not about due dates or clocking in. The emphasis is on slowing down, connecting with others, finding success and confidence in accomplishing tasks, developing coping skills, reconnecting with healthy habits and simply being in nature.” Studies show that connecting with nature outdoors, sometimes known as forest bathing, boosts the immune system by increasing the count of the body’s Natural Killer (NK) cells. A better immune system is tied to lower levels of blood pressure and inflammation. It also protects us against a variety of ailments and can aid in accelerating recovery from surgery or illness. A better immune system, reduced stress and lower anxiety levels are not the only proven benefits to spending time outside. It can also change the chemistry within our brain by increasing our serotonin production, which can boost energy levels. Research recommends that instead of reaching for another cup of coffee when feeling tired, we should turn to the outdoors. Finding time throughout the day to go outdoors to run, bike or go on a 20-minute walk can drastically change our overall mood. Nature gives people a greater sense of vitality, increases energy and reduces feelings of exhaustion. In fact, 90% of participants in a study conducted by Rochester University experienced increased energy when placed in outdoor activities.
Another major benefit of spending time outdoors has to do with getting a better night’s sleep. A disruption of your circadian rhythm, commonly known as your internal clock, has been linked to cognitive and physiological health issues. Studies show that sleeping outdoors can help to regulate this internal clock. Natural daylight (as opposed to artificial light) is an essential regulator of your circadian rhythm. Aside from the mental health benefits of nature, the wilderness provides invaluable teaching opportunities and metaphors for life, supporting individuals in their longterm healing and growth. In this era of technological advancements and social media, it’s critical to remember the importance of caring for our mental health and building in-person connections. Spending time in nature provides some of the easier steps we can take within our daily routines: it’s accessible to everyone, it’s free, and in and around Durango, we are lucky enough to live amongst some of the finest examples of its beauty. l Sebastiaan Zuidweg is the Clinical Director at Open Sky Wilderness Therapy, which emphasizes treatment for the whole family. For more information, visit www.openskywilderness.com
