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The environment you spend the most time in can be a crucial factor in your mental health outcome. It's easy to get caught up in your 40 hour work week and forget to take care of yourself. The gyms are filled with everyone trying to get in shape, and it can get crowded. Your environment can increase or reduce stress. If you’re always in hectic environments, then your stress levels will be high. Our body's reaction to stress has a domino affect -- our blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and immune system are all connected. In this progressive, technology-driven world, it's hard to escape the madness. The best way to escape is to go out and enjoy nature.
Helps With Depression
Spending time in nature can bring you back to earth and make you grateful for what surrounds you. Nature can give you the peace and quiet that you need to clear your head. Being outside also promotes physical activity like walking, biking, hiking, and jogging. These are things that are also known to help with depression. The worst thing you can do while battling depression is sit inside and think about it. Exercising can increase your energy levels and make you feel happy overall. The chemicals in your body that produce feelings of pleasure are produced from movement! So getting outside and moving around will promote a healthier mind. A combination of exercise and nature can do wonders for your mental health.
Promotes Better Sleep
Sleep plays a massive role in your mental health. People who suffer from anxiety and depression are prone to having issues with sleep. If you are spending more time outside in nature, you will receive more natural light, helping with your sleep pattern. Everyone has a natural body clock, and when you are spending time inside struggling with your depression, it’s easy for your “clock” to be off. More time in nature can lead to more natural light, which will promote a better sleep schedule. A consistent sleep schedule will leave you feeling refreshed and give you a clear mind.
Promotes Social Interaction
When it comes to your mental health interacting with other people is highly important. When you go out into nature, it forces you to turn off your cell phone and connect with human beings face to face. The great outdoors allows people to get involved with outdoor-based activities. Sports like throwing a frisbee, football, basketball, soccer, and tennis are all ways to be outside and connect with others. These activities can help build strong relationships with people, which will help combat the feelings of loneliness and isolation that accompany depression.
Nature at Home
Due to COVID-19, spending time with others might not be at the top of your list of things to do. Some have even decided to take it a step further and avoid places with any people at all. Fortunately, you don't have to leave the comfort of your home to enjoy the perks of nature. Setting up a “green room” with plant life can get the trick done. The beauty of this is, you don't even have just to have a room full of greens, setting up plants throughout your home can be beneficial as well. If you live in a house, planting a garden or trees can also work as a therapeutic tactic to bring you joy. Don’t live in a house? Search for your local community garden where others will also be able to plant what they want. You can choose to interact and make new plant buddies in this environment, or you can do it alone.
How Much Time in Nature do You Need?
In 2020 half of the population is living in urban areas. There is a large population of people who are always in congested areas surrounded by big crowds. Typically if you want a big high-paying job, it will be in the city. If you’re living in a large city, you are more likely to struggle with a mood disorder due to the proximity to so many other people. You can spend the whole day bumping into people, honking your horn at other cars, and waiting in line for a sandwich. This is precisely why it's appropriate to spend as much time as you can in nature, away from all the madness. If possible, try to spend at least 120 hours a week with nature, whether that's in the garden or entirely in the wilderness.
Nature can be healing and restoring for anyone dealing with anxiety, depression, or even substance use. It can be used as a tool to free your mind and get more in touch with yourself. You can do it alone or bring a loved one. You can even use it to make more friends. Consider joining a team sport, taking a hike on your own, planting a garden, or even creating a “green room” in your home. Before we had doctors and medications, we all had access to the pure green earth for healing. Although nature can be used as a natural healer, if you are suffering from depression or anxiety that prevents you from functioning in life, you should seek professional help. If your anxiety or depression has led to substance use, you should also seek professional help. START UP RECOVERY provides a safe space for you to gain control of your life. Healing is not a journey you have to take alone. Contact START UP RECOVERY at (310) 773-3809.