The benefits of spending time in nature

Every once in a while, it's good to spend some time out in nature to sit still and listen to its sounds, like the wind rustling leaves, or to hear the chirping of birds and the buzzing of bees, hear the burbling of a brook, and the scuttling sounds of small woodland creatures as they go about their way. All these bring peace to one's spirit and create a state of serenity, allowing us to feel one with nature, and in doing so, we get a chance to really listen to our inner voice, the voice sadly drowned out by the deafening roar of a chaotic world. We forget to commune with ourselves, a connection vital to understanding how we truly feel, to get a sense of ourselves. This connection is sometimes lost in the daily hustle and bustle of just trying to survive day after day, behaving like automatons, that we lose a bit of ourselves little by little, only to one day wake up unable to define who we are.

An English artist named Andy Goldsworthy, a sculptor, photographer, and environmentalist, is quoted as saying, "We often forget that we are nature. Nature is not something separate from us. So when we say we have lost our connection to nature, we have lost our connection to ourselves.''

Let us make time to commune with nature and through it, connect with ourselves once again. It's worth the time to sit still and listen to our inner voice, for it is our most powerful ally in this physical world.

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ABCDEF7 · M

In Japan, they call it Shinrin-yoku(forest bathing).

https://www.japan.travel/en/guide/forest-bathing/

LilyoftheValley · F

@ABCDEF7 Yes, that's right, Japan has been actively promoting this for many years to reduce the high stress levels of its citizens. Extensive studies in medical universities in the US and Europe also show positive results in the improvement of health, mental, and emotional state when practicing this. Studies show it effectively reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol, calming the nervous system and tests show lower blood pressure and better immune function in those exposed to natural environments, attributed to sensory stimulation( sights and sounds), and the psychological sense of freedom from feeling trapped in non-natural environments, which urban living can create.

But not only in Japan, reverence for nature and its powers has been practiced by ancient indigenous tribes throughout history; Native American Indian tribes, the Mayas, ancient pagans as well as those who practice contemporary forms of paganism (Wicca), Yogis from India, Celts through their beliefs in Animism, the list is long for many have known and know the many health benefits nature has on the human body, mind, spirit and soul. Something in nature, which is still beyond our full grasp of understanding, has the ability to give off healthy and positive energy that humans need.