THE NEURON

        It’s World Health Day. This time our motto is ‘my health, my right.’ Health is the most important aspect of human life. But the present lifestyle has caused great damage to health even in the young population. A decrease in physical activity and increased stress increase suffering. That’s why too many young people are suffering from mental diseases and metabolic diseases.

        Nature is one of the best healers of lifestyle diseases. A walk of 30 minutes in greeneries decreases stress levels. Unfortunately, our technological dependence is at its apex. Sometimes our screen time exceeds 10 hours. The more virtual our lifestyle is the more unhealthy our brain becomes.

         From a stroll through a city park to a day spent hiking in the wilderness, exposure to nature has been linked to a big list of benefits for brain and mind, those include improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and along with betterment of personality and team spirit. Most research so far has focused on green spaces such as parks and forests, recently increasing evidence says about water bodies calming the mind.

How does ecotherapy help the brain and mind?

Anxiety:

Well-maintained green space helps in decreasing anxiety and panic attacks. The ecotherapy approach emphasizes the healing potential of spending time outdoors and engaging in activities that foster a deep connection with nature. The serene landscapes, fresh air, and soothing sounds of nature create an environment conducive to relaxation and reflection. It decreases the neurochemicals which increases anxiety. So if you are feeling anxious then stroll in nature every day. Nature will wear away all anxiety.

Depression:

The present lifestyle is a primary cause of depression in many young people. Research on ecotherapy suggests a variety of forms of interaction with nature can improve a person’s well-being, from simply viewing pictures of natural scenes to physically enveloping oneself in the natural world. 

Psychosis:

Nature, whether in the woods far away from it all, in a city park, or simply walking down a tree-lined street, can make people feel new again. Studies have shown that a simple walk in nature can reduce aggressive behavior, and keep your spirits high. Even looking at photographs of greenery for less than a minute can boost your mood. Several researchers say that ecotherapy can help in decreasing symptoms of schizophrenia too.

Stress:

Stress is a very common comorbidity in the present generation. Work and life imbalance is the primary cause behind it. It is the mother of many lifestyle issues. Many people find that spending time outdoors improves low moods and promotes relaxation and calm.

Headache:

Headache is a big manifestation of chronic stress. It is the most common cause of headache. Regular walking in a green environment helps reduce stress levels and makes humans more resilient to adversaries. It helps in tension-type headaches.

Sleep problems:

Outdoors and exercise helps in better sleep quality. Good sleep helps in a better memory and lifestyle. Several happy hormones are secreted when the stress decreases. They indirectly help in good sleep and relaxation of the brain.

Attention:

Attention is a major cognitive function. lack of contact with nature has been suggested to be one of the primary reasons underlying the recent surge in childhood maladies like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD reduces children’s attentional capacity and can have detrimental effects on many aspects of their lives (e.g., interpersonal relationships, school, and personal growth).  Factors like children’s motor ability, concentration, and social play are all positively influenced by interaction or play in nature.

Memory:

Many researches reveal dementia patients suffer from slow memory decline if they remain in a horticulture environment. They suffer from less aggressive behavior. A short walk in green lush gardens helps in better memory. Memory consolidation improves if they visit natural scenes regularly.

Pain :

There has recently been a heightened recognition that environmental factors, including exposure to nature scenes, can influence pain. A study revealed Patients exposed to images of nature were much more likely to change from stronger to weaker pain medication during recovery. Patients exposed to natural images reported significantly less anxiety as well. Even post-traumatic stress decreased after ecotherapy.

For the brain and mind natural serene places work as nutritional elixirs. Recently the concept of ecotherapy has proven its added benefits in the neurological diseases. Besides this, it helps in personality development and creativity.

      That’s why promise yourself on this health day that you will spend 30 minutes every day in the lap of nature. Because your health is your right.

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