I’m currently sitting out by a lake. In a little cabin tucked away in the mountains of Vermont. My own little personal retreat. In the background, the sun is setting over the hills and the sky is a warm hue of orange. As I gaze at the scene behind me I am overtaken with a sense of awe and ease. I feel quiet, calm and rested sitting out here in nature, just being with myself for a little while. It’s quite a reprieve from the chaos of an emergency room.
I feel deeply connected to the natural world. Why do many of us feel such a strong connection when we’re in this space? Well, although this is an opinion, I really think that there is an actual connection. From an evolutionary standpoint we are all connected in some way. Over the millennia, we have grown biologically distinct, but perhaps there is still some sort of deep connectivity there. These trees over here, well on some level, are my relatives. (I know how crazy that sounds)
At least, that’s what it feels like. It’s like the same feeling I have when I’m see members of my family that I haven’t seen in a long while. There’s some sort of feeling deep down inside. Of gratitude, happiness, and peacefulness borne of connection and it feels to me like a real thing.
What is “connection” anyway? It is anything more than a feeling or a mental state? A deep visceral feeling that comes up when I’m around certain things that seems to have importance to me. Does that come from the electrical impulses of a few neurons, an intellectual understanding, or from something beyond? No one really knows. But it certainly is heartening to think of us as deep interconnected beings just living our lives in this world together. Certainly makes walking in the park a heck of a lot more fun!
Of course, I’m speaking to medical people. So the mystical-schmistical stuff is really a turnoff for a few of you. I get it, you definitely don’t have to agree, but these are just the musings of a man currently looking at some trees. Really all I want is to do is encourage you to include more nature into your life. It’s no secret that it’s really good for you. It’s healing. It makes us happier and healthier to be out of our urban environments and interacting with the natural world.
So, out of curiosity, I did a little reading about it. Let’s be slightly more clinical here. It’s more than just common sense and a feeling. If you’re looking for a reason, there’s a few good reasons why you need a regular dose of nature.
1. Improves Mood
I know that being outside always makes me feel better, no matter how busy, stressed, or miserable I might be. There’s something about being amongst the trees, or by the water that naturally instills a sense of calm. And its measurable. It can even change your physiology. A Japanese study in 2011 showed that even a two hour day trip to a forest, compared to an urban environment can show significantly reduced amounts of urinary noradrenaline and lowered blood pressure, for instance.
2. Is restorative for our minds
These days our attention is directed in many competing directions. With the pressures of work, obligations, and the constant barrage of information on our phones we can find often ourselves mentally exhausted. Spending time in nature can actually provide a restorative function for our brain. It’s been noted to give subjects increased feelings of resilience and patience while reducing their symptoms of anxiety and depression. Simply put, unplugging for a while in nature gives our minds a break.
3. Nature is healing
There is a commonly sited study that showed that surgical patients with a natural view “healed” better than their cohort without one. (Looking at it, it’s retrospective, from 1984, and has a sample size of 46 patients.) But nonetheless, when two groups of cholecystectomy patients were matched for age, health, and sex status the ones with the view of a natural setting had a shorter postoperative stay, and used less analgesics. It was a groundbreaking idea at the time and has influenced how we think about hospital design. Perhaps there is something to having a “room with a view”. Certainly helps us advocate for more green spaces around hospitals.
4. It makes us healthier
It seems that the closer you are to natural green spaces, the healthier you are. For example, men residing in areas with greater green spaces have lower risks of mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. And adults in urban environments that live closer to parks are more likely to have a lower BMI than those who live far away.
5. It has huge benefits for children
In another study, children exposed to natural settings for thirty days showed an increase in their self esteem. They also felt it helped them be more creative, take more risks, and gave them a chance to exercise, play, and discover. When some children with ADHD were exposed to nature they showed a reduction in their symptoms and an increased ability to concentrate.
6. It helps us feel more connected to the natural world
People out in nature feel more a part of the natural world, rather than separate from it. See above :). Personally, it often fills me with a sense of awe, and reminds me that some of the best things in life are simple and non-materialistic. I feel more connected to my environment, and to the people around me. And I care more about protecting my environment for future generations to enjoy.
7. It’s free
It doesn’t cost you anything to get out into nature, and even a short time outside makes you healthier and happier. Pretty good deal, no?
Nature is a tonic for me. It’s clearly healing me in some way. Time spent out here brings me more in touch with my natural self. Leaves me more calm and peaceful. Better able to return to the grind and tackle what’s thrown at me.
So how do you bring some outdoor time or nature more into your life? I’d love to hear your suggestions.
It’s clearly incredibly important to me. More so these days as I live in an urban downtown of a big city. Practically speaking, I have been intentionally trying to cultivate behaviours that get me more out into nature when I can.
Here are a few of my suggestions.
- I try and get some errands done by bike or by foot. These days I bike to the grocery store with two large saddlebags and a large backpack
- Commute to work via bike if possible – I used to think I’d hate biking in the cold, but with the right gear, it’s downright enjoyable
- On a nice day, I’ll spend 5 min outside the hospital and soak up some sun before my shift
- On that same day, I’ll take a 5 min walk, outside to grab a coffee, mid shift. It takes longer but it’s worth it.
- I’ll take my laptop and headphones to a park, (or a cabin in Vermont), or in the winter sometimes to a local greenhouse and get my work done there.
- Have a meeting outside of the boardroom, and outdoors. You’ll be surprised how much better you’ll communicate.
- I’ll listen to some CME content while running, biking, exercising. Killing two birds with one stone.
Any other suggestions? Drop me a line.