Immerse Yourself in Nature for Improved Mental Health

The more society evolves, the more people seem to move away from nature and it’s many benefits. Skyscrapers, shopping centers, and factories reduce the presence of both plant and wildlife. Air quality becomes impacted by pollen, mold, smog, soot, heavy metals, and other pollutants. At the same time, hectic lifestyles, work, school, and modern innovations like the internet and social media serve as distractions that add stress and limit your time to tap into nature. 

You need to make sure that you monitor your health carefully. It is a good idea to work with occupational health surveillance providers. They can help you understand the importance of making the right lifestyle changes, which includes spending more time in nature.

While you may enjoy the conveniences of modern-day life, it is these very things that can have a negative impact on your physical and emotional well-being. If you’re someone who has been struggling with chronic stress, burnout, anxiety, or depression, immersing yourself in nature could be what you needed to improve. Here’s why. 

Nature Provides Calm

If you find yourself feeling stressed or anxious, getting out in nature can provide the calm you need. The warmth from the sun’s rays, the soothing feeling of the wind, the rhythmic sounds of birds, wildlife, and water, and the cleansing fresh air take your mind out of fight and flight mode and instead provide peace and calm as you’ve never experienced before. 

When you’re in nature, you have the opportunity to clear your mind. You’re away from your normal environment, unplugged from society, unburned by your daily responsibilities, and instead surrounded by the beautiful healing powers of nature. 

Nature Improves Sleep

Life and its many distractions have a way of throwing off your body’s natural sleep cycle. Lack of sleep can have a negative impact on your emotional well-being. For those who are having trouble sleeping, exposing yourself to nature can help. Studies have been done on how being in nature can help to reset your internal clocks syncing your body’s sleep cycle with nature’s light and dark cycle. 

If you’re having trouble with sleeping, grab your YNM weighted blanket and head sit in nature for several hours. You can plan a camping trip or spend your day in the backyard.  As the daylight gives way to the nighttime skies, it sends signals to the brain that it is time to rest. 

Nature Boosts Your Mood

Spending more time in nature can work wonders for your mood. Those who spend more time outdoors report having fewer problems with mental illnesses like depression. This goes beyond the increased vitamin D you get from the sun’s rays. The simplistic beauty of nature helps you to appreciate mindfulness as you focus your thoughts and attention on the here and now. In focusing your energies on nature, you essentially release pint up sadness, anger, or tension. 

Mindfulness isn’t the only way nature boosts your mood. When you’re outdoors you’re encouraged to engage in physical activities. Whether you’re walking, running, swimming, hiking, or riding your bike, you’re exercising which can also improve your mood. When engaged in physical activity, your body releases endorphins which are also referred to as feel-good hormones. 

Nature Encourages Social Interaction

Social interaction is essential to your overall wellbeing. Those who regularly socialize with others are said to be in better moods, navigate the ups and downs of life better, and live longer lives. Unfortunately, responsibilities and modern technologies take people further away from human interaction. 

Being in nature, however, encourages you to connect with the people around you. Whether it’s asking a stranger for directions, talking to a loved one while walking through the park, or connecting with the community as you engage in outdoor sports and nature-based activities, you’re developing authentic human connections that you wouldn’t otherwise experience. 
Sometimes it’s nice to have modern conveniences. At times, they make life easier and more entertaining. Be that as it may, the more attached you become to these luxuries, the further away you get from the healing powers of nature. Whether you’re struggling with mental illness or simply are overwhelmed by an unforeseen circumstance, allow the simplicity of nature to heal you from the inside out.