Have You Had Your Nature-Pill Today?
David Bott
The way we are living our high-tech, hyper-connected,
stimulus-rich lives can be very exciting, meaningful, rewarding…and stressful.
Ongoing exposure to highly stimulating environments can take
a significant toll on our nervous system, endocrine (hormonal) system, and
immune system.
One particular study at Bournemouth
University found that, on average, dementias
in Western countries are affecting people a decade earlier than they used to in
adults. Furthermore, the proportion of deaths caused by brain disease has risen
significantly in adults aged over 55 and nearly doubled in adults aged 75 years
or older.
In part, these types of findings reflect our relative
success in treating diseases of the body, such as cancer and heart disease,
compared to neurological illness. But this is only part of the story.
Undoubtedly, our modern lifestyle is straining our brains like never before.
For example, the proliferation of social media has provided
a wonderful platform for connecting with others – but not without cost. A
recent study of
Australian women found that frequency of Instagram use is associated with
depressive symptoms, lowered self-esteem, anxiety, and body
dissatisfaction. And in particular, increased exposure to beauty and
fitness images on Instagram significantly decreased self-rated attractiveness.
Another recent University of Pittsburgh study
found a significant link between extended periods on social media and
depression rates in young adults. The study found that ‘frequent checkers’ were
2.7 times more likely to develop depression than those who checked social media
feeds less frequently.
And it’s not just social media that’s to blame. For many of
us, in so many ways, the experience of ‘normal life’ is shifting radically. Our
world has changed. Our interaction and interface with our world continues to
change. It’s not hard to appreciate how, unchecked over time, the frenetic pace
and complexity of our lives can have poisonous effect on our wellbeing.
But, we do have a very powerful antidote. Nature.
Research over the last 30 years has demonstrated that
connectedness and exposure to nature is linked to a range of mental and
physical health benefits including:
- increased positive
emotion, vitality, and life satisfaction;
- reduced pain
and faster hospital recovery;
- stronger feelings of connectedness with
others, greater sense of community, lower levels of violence and aggression,
and a better capacity to cope with life’s demands.
However, whilst all of this is great – we are busy. We have
students to teach, and families to look after, and meals to cook, and reports
to write. How much nature do we actually need?
A
new study from researchers at the
University of Michigan has helped to answer this question. They found that
taking a “nature-pill” involving spending 20 minutes in a “place that brings a
sense of contact with nature” was enough to significantly reduce stress
hormones in saliva samples. On average, participants who were exposed to
between 20 and 30 minutes of nature, had their blood cortisol levels reduced by
18.5%.
Whilst the researchers acknowledge that age,
baseline stress level, socioeconomic factors and lifestyle factors all modulate
the effect of nature, there is significant potential benefit for all of us.
There are many things that we can do to enhance our
wellbeing and help protect us against stress and illbeing. But ultimately,
there may be nothing simpler and more broadly effective, efficient, and
powerful than a short daily stroll through the park.
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
Lao Tzu, 6th Century Philosopher
David Bott
David Bott is the Associate Director of the Institute of Positive Education. David has been involved in training thousands of teachers from hundreds of schools around the world in designing, implementing and sustaining individual and whole-school approaches to wellbeing.