The Effects of Being in Nature

Have you ever noticed a sense of calm that comes over you when you sit on a beach and listen to the lapping waves? What about how you feel a little less distracted when you go for a walk or a hike on a trail? These sensations are not just in your head. Taking time to step outside and be in nature actually helps us decrease our "fight or flight" reactions and can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

Being in a stressful environment can cause you to feel anxious, sad or even helpless. These feelings elevate your blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension and suppress your immune system. A more pleasing space reverses that. Actually, most of us innately choose to escape into nature when we are having feelings of stress.

Nature has the power to heal, and not only our emotions. When we feel better emotionally it has an impact on our physical health and wellbeing.

Nature can help us cope with pain and help us focus more on what is currently around us. Being outside and changing our scenery helps us pay more attention to what is happening in the moment and can aid in feeling more calm and balanced.

Now that the sun in shining and summer is almost upon us, today is the perfect time to get outside, breathe in some fresh air, get some vitamin D and let nature do the rest!

*This blog was written while sitting in the sun, on a camping chair, in the parking lot outside my office*