Mental Health
Breaking Out! Mental health benefits from spending time outdoors
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ftentimes the benefits of nature are undervalued, and that can lead to a malnourishment of the mind, body, and spirit. Studies show that people who spend more time out of doors are much more calm, relaxed, and focused. Even a brief visit outside your front door can do wonders for your mental health. Anxiety, depression, and stress wilt away under the guide of Mother Nature. Toes in the water and feet on the grass are your ticket to mental nourishment. The connection between postive emotions and nature is even more important in today’s world. We spend many hours indoors, with our heads buried in smartphones, televisions, and such, eschewing the bounty that has long been at our fingertips. Symptoms of negative emotions such as insom-
nia, depression, anxiety, etc., simply melt away when we connect with nature. It has also been known to aid in the grief process. Ecotherapy, a growing field, is the study of nature on the body and mind. Not much is
Research shows a link between exposure to nature and stress reduction. known yet about why exactly nature has such a profound effect on our psyche. Yet the studies are showing that being outdoors affects our physical self. Blood pres-
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Healthy Generations • Summer 2019
