Nature's Healing Power: Boost Mood, Reduce Stress

Have you ever craved the peace and quiet that nature has to offer? Ever wished to sit on a mountaintop or a river bed and just let the breeze carry all your worries away? Ever felt so overwhelmed that you just feel like getting out of your workplace or home, going for a walk or a bike ride?

I am sure that we all felt this irrespective of our differences. There is something about nature and what it offers. It is our escape, comforter, encourager, motivator, listener, and everything else. Nature is not judgemental. It flourishes acceptance and provides us the space to become aware of our own thoughts and feelings. It is the purest pathway to recharging and restoring our energy. Quite simply, nature is a healer.

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Let's talk with proof

Researchers in a study suggested that when individuals are exposed to nature scenes, their brain parts linked with empathy and love, light up. In other studies, nature’s view was linked to patients tolerating more pain, overcoming adverse effects, and having lesser stays at the hospital. Japanese researchers strongly suggest that there are great benefits to something as simple as forest bathing, that is, walking through the woods.

Psychology Today in their research articles suggests that by staying in regular contact with nature you develop,

Harmony for the mind - Research on ADHD children shows that the attention span of children improves after spending time in nature. Research on ADHD children shows that the attention span of children improves after spending time in nature. It relaxes our over-stimulated brain and helps us find stability in our thoughts and emotions.
Strength for the soul - Being in nature helps us connect with our soul on a more profound level. Our five senses are fully activated, and our soul develops a strong bond with the natural world. We gain spiritual power by responding to the rhythm of nature. We acquire the pleasure of mindfulness, and we start enjoying the little moments in our lives.
And Calmness for the body - When you are exposed to nature, you heal emotionally and feel pleasant. Nature is a tonic for physical well-being. It reduces blood pressure, stables heart rate, and decreases the production of stress hormones. Nature has a magical impact on our health; it reduces inflammation and prevents many diseases by boosting immunity.

Some of us might debate this idea by saying that hiding away in our rooms or playing games is comforting. It may be, but for how long. Multiple researches suggest that individuals who overindulge in gaming and social media are more likely to use avoidance as a defense mechanism instead of facing them head-on. Gaming helps them shift their focus from the problems to winning the game, and in this bargain, they tend to suppress away all the negative emotions they were feeling. This might be an effective way to refocus your attention on things in your control to avoid panicking over a situation. However, in the long run, such individuals are more likely to develop symptoms of anxiety, panic, and/or depressive symptoms.

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Solution - Connect with Mother Earth

So what can you do to solve problems more effectively you all might ask; well, you do not have to do much. There are small steps you can include in your day-to-day routine that could help you in practical problem-solving.

Take a walk out in the open. Sun exposure helps improve our mood. Spending time in green spaces or bringing nature into our everyday life can benefit both our mental and physical well-being.
Use visualization exercises to calm our minds.
“Begin by sitting comfortably in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. Take a few deep breaths, allowing your mind to relax. With your body planted firmly on the ground, feel the earth beneath you. Picture yourself in a field or forest beneath a large, leafy tree with strong branches. Smell the rich soil and clean air. Listen to the wind rustling through the leaves and notice if you hear any birds or animals stirring within. Visualize the tree’s leaves and branches. Picture yourself reaching out to touch it. Feel the texture of the bark. Be aware of the shade the tree offers, the wood it provides, how it cleans the air, and its beauty. Appreciate the tree as a living organism. Imagine it drinking up the water through its complex root system. Visualize the lengthening, spreading branches, and the leaves opening towards the sun. The warm sun is beaming down and as you soak up the light, you feel your whole body fill up with renewed energy and calm. When you’re ready, open your eyes and take this restorative energy and calm with you into your day.”

- (from the Calm app blog)

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Try learning and incorporating grounding techniques.
The 5-4-3-2-1 technique is one of the best techniques to include in our practice. The aim is to activate our senses to calm our overactive minds. We begin by asking ourselves to SEE 5 things around us that might seem pleasing, TOUCH 4 things in our reach, HEAR 3 different sounds, SMELL 2 different scents that might be present around us, and finally TASTE or try to recall the taste of anything we enjoy consuming. This grounding technique can help pull anxious mental energy back into the body, grounding and calming it so that we can release stress and focus again, in the here and now.

We must invest some of our time to cultivate eternal peace of mind, body, and soul in this century that is obsessed with media and glamor. Step away from the screens and indulge in the abundance nature has to offer. The rejuvenation of positive energy will empower us to perform our tasks with a happy and healthy mindset. In today’s era where a stressful life has become a trademark of success, manage time to take a pause. A mindful slow-paced journey is always better than the mindless chase which leaves us burned out. Bored with the article? Look away from the screen, and look around. Start now! If you feel lost and are unable to navigate through the dense forest of thoughts and emotions, connect with us on our toll-free number 1800-833-8747 or email us at info@transformhappily.com

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Let us help you transform, happily and naturally!