How Nature De-Stresses the Body
Go Outside It’s Actually Amazing For You
No one enjoys being stressed out and in my mind stress is often a root of disease. But stress also motivates us to do things and achieve our goals, so maintaining a healthy relationship with it is important.
When I started seeing a naturopath a few years ago I had chronic fatigue, endocrine disruption, and immune system disfunction. Someone near me on the bus might sneeze near me and I would be sick for three weeks. I would fall asleep in class and come home from school and sleep the rest of the day. After doing a compressive panel of blood testing we found issues going on with my white blood cells (immune system disfunction) and my cortisol levels was extremely high. With such high cortisol and a weakened immune system my body wasn’t recovering and restoring as it should. This affected my ability to fall into- or take advantage of deep sleep and REM sleep states where my body should have been healing itself. So I started a natural cortisol manager (comprised of ashwaganda, l-theanine, and magnolia) and a few holistic immune supplements and I’ve never felt better. I barely get random sicknesses anymore and I’ve been tracking my sleep and it’s quality has been improving immensely. Instead of putting a bandaid on the issue with pharmaceuticals, I’m attempting to treat the root cause and teach my body to achieve this state of health on its own. It’s a slow process but very worth it.
However…
While the herbal medicines I’ve been taking are awesome, like I said, they take time. But there is one, scientifically proven, nearly-immediate fix that anyone can do and I often engage in to destress. This is immersing oneself in nature, also known as grounding or earthing. But why and how?
Well, escaping the concrete jungle and allowing our senses to be enveloped by the sights, sounds, and scents of the wilderness provides an opportunity for restoration and rejuvenation. The field of ecopsychology explores the profound positive effect that being in nature has on mental and physical well-being. In a world increasingly dominated by technology and urbanization, ecopsychology serves as a potent reminder of the vital connection between humans and the natural world. Research has shown that spending time in nature reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, while enhancing cognitive function and creativity. Moreover, exposure to green spaces and biodiversity has been associated with lowered blood pressure, improved immune system function, and increased physical activity. Ecopsychology reminds us that carving out time to immerse ourselves in nature is not only a source of pleasure and healing but also a powerful investment in our overall health and well-being.
When I feel most out of order, in a state of chaos, or even exhausted and uncreative, putting my feet in the grass, listening to my surroundings, smelling the air, and feeling the wind on my skin grounds me like nothing else. I might as well strip off all my clothes and jump into the nearest body of water for a heightened effect. While it sounds like a crazy tree hugger’s philosophy, (first of all what’s wrong with that and second) I can assure you that surrendering yourself to the wonders of nature, escaping the daily rush, and being a humble human for just five minutes will change you, and no doubt for the better.