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4 Benefits of Getting Back to Nature
Author Richard Lou, who published the bestseller “Last Child in the Woods,” wrote about what he called a “nature deficit disorder” in relation to children, but he ultimately became overwhelmed by adults with stories about their own disconnect.
He’s not the only one to come upon this realization. More and more people have noticed a disconnect, which is largely credited to a world that’s constantly surrounded by technology. While communication is easier than ever, the quality of that communication is rapidly decreasing, which is why many are looking to take a step back from technology and reconnect with nature. It’s a good idea for everyone, with numerous benefits, including the following.
Stress relief
Getting back to nature by doing something like taking a walk in the woods has been found to relieve stress by significantly lowering cortisol levels. A 2007 study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, examined subjects’ cortisol levels, immune system responses and nervous system balance when walking in the woods, versus walking in a city environment.
Twelve volunteers were given physiological stress tests before and after walking in the woods, and then the same tests before and after walking in the city. Volunteers were also tested before and after watching images of the forest as well as images of cityscapes, on a television screen. The results revealed that the study participants’ cortisol levels and blood pressure readings were significantly lower after walking in the woods versus walking in the city.
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Source: http://www.riseearth.com/2014/11/4-benefits-of-getting-back-to-nature.html
