April -The Awe of Nature
To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves.
—Mahatma Gandhi
Nature has always been so healing for me. It is surprising how a simple act of feeling the sun on my face, listening to the sounds of nature, or digging my hands in the soil can reset my entire attitude, my entire day. Although hiking a mountain trail or visiting a national park can be awe inspiring, the simple act of connecting to nature available around us, is more accessible and can be just as healing.
Nature regulates our nervous system and research has found a multitude of health benefits including: lower blood pressure, and heart rate, improved mood and immune function; better sleep; and increased creativity and critical thinking skills. It increases satisfaction with life and allows our brain to recover from stress, trauma, and promotes neurogenesis. Beyond the physiological, there are prosocial effects to the awe of nature: less concern for self, increased generosity, and more cooperation. This might be why research suggests there is less violence when trees are incorporated into low-income housing developments. (Research cited greatergood.berkley.edu)
Researchers recommend at least 5 hours a month of mindful focused time in nature and regular mircobreaks to reap the benefits. Have you heard of forest bathing? It is a practice that came from Japan and includes focused time in nature. This is prescribed to residents for wellness and healing. Japan is ranked as one of the healthiest countries in the world. Unfortunately, the United States does not make the top 25 list.
Research has focused on two main aspects of nature’s healing properties, the experiences of awe and wonder. Wonder can be understood as a feeling of surprise and fascination evoked by an element of nature, this feeling can lead to reflection and insight. Awe is described as being in the presence of something bigger than ourselves that fills us with wonder and curiosity. Awe can lead to feelings of being less separate from a larger existence this can decrease worries of the past and future. The sense of awe also changes our perception of time and may alleviate the feeling of time starvation that plaques modern society. In addition to the experiences of awe and wonder.
Putting your hands in the soil can have health benefits, the smell of mychobacterium vacii, a microorganism found in soil, compost, and leaf mold triggers our body to activate neurotransmitters like serotonin.
We just passed earth day a perfect time to reflect on how we can connect to the earth and all its beauty and make small changes toward sustainability. The health of the environment is intimately entwined with our mental health. When we cultivate feelings and behaviors like gratitude, awe, wonder, and empathy these motivate us to take action for the earth and try to live more sustainably.
How can YOU connect with nature that will sustain you and the earth?
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.
He whom the emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand wrapped in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed. – Albert Einstein
