| What is nature and how does it affect our health? | | | | and levels of psychological and physiological stress are |
| Well this is one major question that we are coming | | | | significantly influenced by our natural surroundings. |
| across these days in relation to have a proper mental | | | | These days nature is widely used as an element or |
| health. If we try to understand the meaning of nature in | | | | modern therapy for people who are suffering from |
| terms of dictionary definition then it clearly states | | | | physical and mental health problems. In order to |
| nature as the natural physical world including plants, | | | | improve your mood, now concepts like hospital |
| animals and landscapes etc. It refers to the | | | | therapy gardens, wilderness trips for people bearing |
| phenomena of the physical world. In general terms it is | | | | from ruthless stress have all shown positive effects |
| also referred to the method related with inanimate | | | | on patients. Moreover in past few years, it has also |
| objects and the manner in which the particular kind of | | | | been found that horticultural therapy have a growing |
| things exist and change of their own harmony. | | | | body of research data which points to the many |
| Now looking at the present scenario, today if we try to | | | | mental benefits of engaging with nature. |
| relate the term nature in relation to health then it won't | | | | Research from Netherland and Japan has also |
| be wrong. Plants represent a vital element of the | | | | revealed that people living close to green ambience live |
| original ecological system in which the human species | | | | longer and enjoy better and healthy life. A Swedish |
| evolved. Perhaps the time has come when we all take | | | | study concluded that if office personnel could view |
| a close look at the impact of nature on the health of | | | | greenery through their office windows, then it further |
| communities and individuals. Since the evolution of life, | | | | significantly reduce the stress during their working |
| the nature has always featured as key components in | | | | days. |
| health promotion models. Our relationship with nature is | | | | Latest studies from Germany and Australia have also |
| like a basic component that helps in sustaining good | | | | confirmed the capacity of ecosystem of plants to |
| health. | | | | perform as powerful air purifiers. Virginia Lohr at |
| As per the recent study conducted in UK, it was found | | | | Washington University performed a computer based |
| that more than 75% of people live in urban areas and | | | | test on students, and observed that the systolic blood |
| as a result the detachment with nature has contributed | | | | pressure was lower, and measured the performance |
| to a drastic rise in mental health problems. Roger Ulrich | | | | level. It was found that the reaction time during the test |
| one of the pioneers of research in this area conducted | | | | was higher, if plants were present in the computer lab. |
| an experiment to explain that patients suffering and | | | | From an economical point of view, it should be of |
| recovering from identical operations were more likely | | | | great interest to establish a green surrounding that can |
| to recover quickly if they had a daily view of nature | | | | benefit your mental health by providing opportunities to |
| from their hospital beds. | | | | be physically active both in terms of physical and |
| Studies in this field have also shown that well-being | | | | mental health. |