Within moments of beginning my walk around the grounds of the UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley this morning, I began to experience that wonderful feeling of peace and calmness that washes over me me when I’m out in nature. Whenever I begin to feel stressed, overwhelmed, quick to anger, or anxious, I’ve learned the best thing for me to do is head outside. It doesn’t really matter what I do there. It could be a hike in nature, a walk around my neighborhood, photographing flowers at a botanic garden, doing a bit of yard work, or simply staring out the back window, watching the birds at our feeder. Science is finally beginning to back up what I’ve always known… that time in nature improves mental health. Studies have found that…
- spending time in nature increases happiness.
- walking in nature fights depression.
- time in nature improves the ability to concentrate.
- exposure to nature gives people a heightened sense of well-being.
Can’t get out for a walk? It’s also been found that simply having a window in your home with a view of nature decreases stress and improves mental health.
Need more proof? Check out some of these articles…
- Restoring Peace (Richard Louv, Psychology Today)
- The Psychology of Nature (Johan Lehrer, Wired Magazine)
- Getting Back to the Great Outdoors (American Psychological Association)
- Spending Time in Nature Makes People Feel More Alive, Study Shows (Science Daily)
- Going Green Benefits Physical, Mental Health (Nick Nauert PhD, Psych Central)
- Benefits of Ecotherapy: Being in Nature Fights Depression, Improves Mental Health and Well Being (Lesia Bushak, Medical Daily)
Photo taken January 4th, 2014
UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley