How To Harness The Awe Inspiring Power Of Nature To Function Better
Mandy Napier BSC
?? Helping Entrepreneurs, Professionals & Athletes Achieve Extraordinary Results & Peak Performance ?? Executive Coach ?? High-Performance Mindset Coach ?? Breakthrough Results Coach ?? Speaker Educator ??Author
The power of nature is incredibly healing. This means it's a great place to spend time in to enhance our wellbeing. Our reliance on technology and the needs of running a business require us to prioritise self-care. One of the best gifts we can give ourselves is to immerse ourselves in nature.
Science unequivocally underscores the profound healing effects nature has on our minds and bodies.?It serves as a sanctuary,?diminishes stress, anxiety, increases optimism as well as enhances our overall well-being.
The Healing Power of Nature
E. O Wilson, biologist, aptly captures its essence:
“Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive, and even spiritual satisfaction.”
1. A quick stroll in nature
Even a brief stint in nature yields benefits. Just 20 minutes, three times a week, can boost cognition, memory, and mitigate the stress hormone cortisol. Furthermore, it helps us?build mental toughness?for managing our lives better. However, please note. Leave your mobile phone behind. Research shows that technology disrupts the brain's ability to relax during outdoor activities, potentially diminishing the therapeutic benefits of nature.
2. Spend a day in nature
A survey in Finland found that people living in cities improved their well-being by spending at least five hours in nature every month. Extended periods provide even more substantial benefits. Interestingly, Finland has again been voted the number one happiest place to live, by the Gallup World Happiness Report 2024.
In a 2015 study, Paul Piff, a researcher from the University of California, Irvine, discovered that spending just one minute looking up at tall trees can make people feel awe. Afterwards, they are more likely to assist a stranger compared to those who look at a similarly tall but less inspiring building.
“Experiences of awe attune people to things larger than themselves,” says Piff. “They cause individuals to feel less entitled, less selfish, and to behave in more generous and helping ways.”
3. An extended stay in nature
Venturing into the wilderness for three days or more is optimal. The brain produces alpha waves that are similar to the ones experienced during meditation or flow states. These waves help reset thinking patterns, enhance creativity, and prevent burnout. Case in point. US. Military Veterans who went white-water rafting for four days saw a 29% decrease in their PTSD symptoms and a 21% decrease in their stress levels. Their relationships, happiness, and overall satisfaction with their lives all improved.
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Forest Bathing in Japan
Japan's practice of forest bathing, or "shinrin-yoku," underscores nature's healing potential. Forest bathing involves going into the woods to relax and improve physical and mental health, as a way to combat health problems caused by modern lifestyles. It diminishes cortisol levels, and the inhalation of plant-released oils bolsters immunity and lowers blood pressure. Additional benefits encompass decreased inflammatory cytokines, blood glucose levels, and anxiety, alongside fewer migraines.
How to Tap Into the Power of Nature in Your Everyday Life
1. Daily Disconnect
Unplug! Allocate time outdoors every week to disconnect from work responsibilities and electronic devices. Furthermore,?be playful?and have some fun while you are there!
2. Monthly Nature Escapes
Organise picnics or hikes with?family or friends?to national parks, scenic spots or wilderness areas.
3. Periodic Retreats
Schedule 3 – 5 day camping trips to experience the full power of connecting with nature. If you aren’t a camper, try an environmental or eco lodge. In our modern world, reconnecting with nature isn’t just beneficial—it’s imperative. Moreover, when we embrace our true nature, we tap into a source of healing, creativity, and clarity that positively affects both our personal and professional lives.
If time in nature worked like compound interest for money, imagine the benefits it would bring to your life. So the only question left is, when will you take some time out in nature?
Here are some ways to stay connected: