Why Getting Back to Nature May Prove to be the Best Therapy

      Despite the technological and medical advancements of recent history, modern life is fraught with difficulties.  It seems that the more we attempt to simplify life, the more complicated it becomes.  Our preoccupation with more, bigger, and faster is taking us further and further away from the natural rhythms that once governed human life.

     Stress, obesity and mental illnesses seem to be on the rise not just among adults, but among our children as well.  A CDC study of US children found that 2 out of 10 children are obese and that there is a direct link between the number of hours spent in front of the t.v. or computer and the amount of body fat.

     Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) has become so common that every child has at least a few classmates that suffer from it.  A whopping 90% of children diagnosed with the disorder are prescribed drugs - drugs that interfere with sleep, often cause depression and can retard physical growth by as much as 1/2" per year.  (For more on medicating children with mental disorders see my earlier post: Psychiatric Disorders in Children)

     There was a time when we rose with the sun, spent our days living and working in the natural world and rested when night fell.  In an extremely short period of time (when you consider the entire history of man) we have completely changed our way of living from something that was dependent upon, and in harmony with, nature to something that is almost totally removed from, and out of sync with, nature. 

     Alienation from nature comes with a hefty price tag.  Higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses, diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties and a disrespect and lack of appreciation for nature are just some of the costs.  While we can't exactly stop or reverse the march of progress, we can, in some small and simple ways, reintegrate our lives with nature.  Our disassociation from nature can be remedied and the potential benefits are enormous.

     Time spent in, or even near, nature can be therapeutic and that idea isn't exactly new.  Chinese Taoists, over 200 years ago, designed gardens and greenhouses for therapeutic purposes.  Benjamin Rush, a mental health pioneer believed that "digging in the soil has a curative effect on the mentally ill."  In the 1870's, the Quaker Friends Hospital in Pennsylvania used acres of natural landscape as part of the treatment of mental illness.

     Recent anecdotal evidence, as well as some studies, have also shown the therapeutic power that interaction with nature possesses.  A study published in the Journal of Preventive Medicine (April 2001) showed that gall bladder surgery patients who recovered in a room with a view of trees recovered more quickly and went home sooner than patients whose rooms had a view of a brick wall.

     A Cornell University study found that children living in "high-nature" settings were more resistant to stress than children who lived in "low-nature" settings.  The "high-nature" children had higher self-worth, lower anxiety, less incidence of depression and fewer conduct disorders.

     Nancy Wells, an assistant professor at the New York State College of Human Ecology, showed that being close to nature helps to boost a child's attention span.  Think of how useful this could be in the treatment of ADD.  (For more information on these studies and this topic in general, see my primary resource Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, by Richard Louv)

     What is it about nature that has this effect on us?  No one really knows.  Some theorize that neurologically, we just haven't adjusted to our new, modern lifestyles.  There may be something to this.  For most of the history of humankind, we lived in, and interacted directly with, the natural environment that supported us.  In the last few hundred years, we have managed to become further and further removed from the world around us.  Many of us spend the majority of our time indoors working with technology, instead of outdoors working with the land, plants and animals as in days gone by.

     Getting back to nature has so much to offer. Green spaces have been shown to have a calming effect and reduce stress.  Natural spaces seem to provide the materials and inspiration for creative activity.  Nature encourages more imaginative and egalitarian play.  What's not to like?

     The science is beginning to bear witness to what many have long suspected; that time spent in nature is simply good for us.  Not convinced yet?  Improved attention span, decreased stress, heightened creativity, faster healing times, improved mental state...all for free...without a prescription...no side effects.  I don't know about you, but I think this is one time that we can forge ahead without waiting for the definitive scientific results.

     So, take a walk in the woods, dust off the old canoe, go bird-watching, take your kids fishing, or simply plant a few flowers in the yard.  The inner peace and serenity that you feel when you do, will be all the proof you need.

     Do you have any therapeutic nature experiences to share?  Do you have any suggestions for ways to incorporate a bit of nature into a busy modern life?  Please share by posting a comment.

     If you are interested in this topic, there is a lot of information out there.  Click here for some recommended reading.

     This article was recently voted top post at the Carnival of Improving Life!  See it and many other informational and helpful articles at the Carnival homepage here.

    

Comments

[ByJane]

Hi Lori,
Found you by digging into BlogHers Forums--not easy, but I'm here. The posts about midlifebloggers that you refer to were on the introduction forum. If you go to my site: http://byjane.blogspot.com there's a link there and some more information. I've started a MidLifeBloggers blogroll, and more is in the works.

Jane
http://byjane.blogspot.com

[Shilpan]

Lori,

Great thoughts. I normally start my day by walking in my backyard and, believe me or not, touching the shrubs to get spiritual awakening for the day. It works. It purifies my thoughts.

By the way, in my recent article, I've given you a trackback but I am still having issues with my blog not pinging your blog.

Here's link -
http://www.successsoul.com/2008/04/02/5-keys-to-influence-customers-using-conversation/

I love to have your comments on the post.

Thanks
Shilpan

[Lori@betweenusgirls]

Shilpan,
Thanks for the comment. I have always found nature to be very calming for me. As a child, sitting a watching the ocean was always soothing. Now that I no longer live by the ocean, I enjoy the flowers in my garden and occasional walks in local parks. I'm thinking that I need to incorporate more time in nature into my life and perhaps find a way to make it part of my work as well.

Meanwhile, regarding the trackback...I don't know what's going on there. I'll email you.

[Amanda]

Hi, My name is Amanda and I love your blog. My husband and I 6 months ago were so tired of the stress of suburban living we sold our home of 10 years, took our 15, 12, and 10 year old children out of school, bought an RV and have been travelling to Provincial Parks while homeschooling our children from wilderness parks and running our business all via satallite. It was the best decision we have ever made. The amount of stress lifted from us and the kinds of everyday living of suburbia has been replaced with peace and education of nature living. Nothing starts your day off right like waking to the sights and sounds of nature at it's best.

Come on in and visit my blog(s), I will also be linking your blog to mine as I love when others see themselves how beautiful the simple life really is.

[Lori@betweenusgirls]

Amanda,

Thanks so much for your comments. All I can say is WOW ! What you are doing is awesome and I wish you luck with it. I admire your courage and your bold move and I wish you the best.

Thanks also for the links on your blog to mine. I'm including the link to one of your blogs here ( http://ourendtosuburbia.blogspot.com ) so that other people can visit and read about what you are doing on a personal level and also find out more about your business.

Please keep us posted on your adventures...maybe you could do a guest post for me on your efforts to simplify life at some time in the future?? Feel free to post comments or email me. Happy travels!

[Juliana Gatti]

Thanks for this really important article for all humans that haven´t found an opportunity to get in touch with themselves throghout nature. Nature has existed bilions of years without humans, however humans haven´t existed a day without nature. Actually, we come from nature and its complexity with simplicity... We are nature! And for me it is quite obvious that when we are in touch if landscapes, trees, birds and any other being we feel so relaxed and we gain space of mind, heart and spirit. I found myself through the trees... I am in love with their shape, colors, forms, sizes, flowers, leaves, seeds, barks...

Because of this love i began my blog in São Paulo - Brasil. And i hope to touch another hearts and souls with this magic that touched mine!

[Lori]

Juliana,

Thanks so much for your input. I love how you said that "Nature has existed billions of years without humans, however humans haven't existed a day without nature." Beautifully said! Best of luck with your blog...I'll come and visit.