Nature yourself

Spending time in nature is a powerful way to reduce stress, improve health and wellbeing, and even heal from trauma. It’s something we’ve done throughout existence, and science is now discovering how and why nature is so good for us.

Dr Marissa Kellaher explains.

Research shows that adults who regularly spend time in nature (green spaces) have lower rates of mental illness, while children are 55% less likely to develop mental illness as an adult if they grow up with access to green space. Blue space (being near water) has a similar effect - it reduces rates of mental illness, improves physical health, and helps us live longer.

You don’t have to live rurally to get these benefits either- one study of 20,000 people found that those who spent just two hours a week in green spaces (including urban parks) were much more likely to have good physical and psychological health than those who didn’t.

When we spend time in nature, it switches off our ‘fight or flight’ nervous system, reduces our cortisol (stress hormone) levels by up to 60%, and also reduces other stress hormones. Our sleep improves, our mood lifts and even our self confidence and sense of wellbeing improves. Time in nature also helps our physical health - it reduces blood pressure and pain levels, improves blood sugar, and also makes us less likely to have a heart attack.

It’s thought that nature affects us in a few different ways. Fractals (geometric shapes found in nature such as the leaves, clouds and ocean waves) alter how our brain works when we look at them. When we view fractals, our brains produce ‘alpha’ brainwaves that make us relax; plus, fractals activate parts of our brain that boost concentration and mental performance, regulate emotions and help form memories.

Natural environments are also less stimulating, so we don’t need to attention switch as often as we do in urban environments. This means being in nature is far less tiring for our brain, allowing us to rest and recover from mental fatigue.

There is another lesser-known bonus to nature, tootrees emit chemicals (phytoncides) that reduce stress hormones, lower blood pressure and even improve immunity! These things all combine to provide massive benefits for our body and mind. Long term, spending time in nature makes us feel more positive and satisfied with our life, work and home.

Nature is important to consider for urban planning too, as cities with more green spaces have lower crime rates and healthier inhabitants. Plus, patients in psychiatric wards who have access to nature feel less isolated and calmer, with improved mood, while people in hospital recovering from surgery heal faster and need less pain relief by just having a view of nature.

In our region we are lucky to be surrounded by beautiful beaches, forests and mountains - so why not try a nature prescription today!

Dr Marissa Kelaher is a GP and lifestyle medicine doctor. She runs health courses and offers oneon-one consults at yourlifestylemedics.com