According to the World Bank, over 56% of the world’s population lives in cities with the number only projected to increase. In a time where technology and work have taken a large stakeholder in everyday life, nurturing a relationship with nature has never been more important.
Angelo Dellomo of Mays Landing explores below the benefits of nature to one’s mental and physical health and how one can connect back with nature in a busy society.
Health Benefits of Being Outside
Connecting with nature can benefit both mental and physical health.
Studies show that being outside with nature can improve overall mood and can help reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. Researchers who studied a group of 900,000 residents living in Denmark from 1985 to 2003 discovered that those who grew up in neighborhoods with more access to nature had a reduced risk of developing mental illness and disorders like depression and schizophrenia, showing the impact of nature on mental health.
Additionally, being in nature can help improve cognitive functions. Since nature can help to reduce stress and anxiety, researchers theorize people are more likely to concentrate and pay attention.
Why Some People Are More Outdoors People
Being in nature can be scary for some, and an enjoyable adventure for others. For those who favor the outdoors more than others, upbringing has a large part in this liking. People who had exposure to the wilderness at a young age in activities like vacations or camps tend to grow up with an affinity for the wilderness.
How to Get in Touch with Nature
For adults now, growing a liking to the wilderness doesn’t have to take much. Below are some easy ways to start incorporating nature into everyday life.
Start with being intentional. Connecting with nature doesn’t have to mean hiking every day or needing to be in the wild all the time. Instead, it can start with simply going to the neighborhood park and taking a stroll. To begin, some can make going to the park a destination on their walks or even watch birds from their windows at home. These are simple ways that people can unplug from the busyness of life to tune into nature.
Another way to incorporate nature into everyday life is to pick up hobbies that are more nature-focused. Since hobbies take time to build up, people can first start small like bird watching a few times a week or hiking once a month. Once the hobby is established, people can begin investing in equipment to grow their hobbies. Hobbies like cycling, birdwatching, and outdoor running all have large communities so there are also opportunities to connect with others as well.
In Conclusion
Connecting back with nature is a great way to connect back to humanity’s primary roots and has strong benefits on people’s overall well-being. By being intentional and dedicating time every day to connect with nature, people can develop a relationship with nature that will have everlasting benefits on their mental and physical health.