People who feel connected to nature have lower levels of anxiety, recent research finds.
Nature seems to provide people an escape from busy urban environments — a way to let their minds recover.
It may be that it is not even necessary to be in nature to get the benefit, as long as one feels connected to it.
For the research people were asked about what nature meant to them.
Here are six of the themes that emerged when people talked about what nature gave to them:
1. Relaxation
The authors explain:
"...nature induced relaxation and acted as a relief from stress.2. Time out
Nature was also described as being responsible for feelings of peace and calm.
Some participants indicated that nature provided a sense of renewal, was re-grounding, and created feelings of fulfilment."
The authors explain:
"...nature providing a sense of being away from the everyday, escape, and refuge.3. Enjoyment
Participants saw being in nature as being away from the urban environment and providing a sense of freedom."
People described how being in nature gave them a sense of enjoyment, joy, happiness and contentment.
4. Connection
More than pure enjoyment, though, being in nature gave people the sense of...
"...being connected to something larger and revolved around feeling immersed, being part of something bigger, at one with, or connecting with what was important.5. Sensory engagement
Being connected to nature was occasionally spoken about in terms of being at one with the world which also had secondary benefits of feeling peaceful."
A spiritual aspect was also important, the authors write:
"...nature was stimulating to the senses and was associated with ideas of beauty6. Healthy perspective
This often included a spiritual aspect or a sense of the flawlessness of nature.
Nature allowed them to breathe fresh air, experience natural elements, such as sunshine, and find space to be alone."
People reported that...
"...nature was responsible for wellbeing and positive health.The study was published in the Journal of Health Psychology (Martyn & Brymer, 2016).
Those participants who mentioned the health benefits of nature considered that nature was very important to their everyday lives, their mental health, overall wellbeing, and fitness."
Allow me to explain my understanding of this beautiful quest called Alchemy.
The human body is the vestibule that the alchemist seeks in which to achieve transmutation. To be perfectly clear, one need no physical container for the mechanism of transmutation other than the mind, body, and soul to be able to free our spirit in readiness for such a quest.
The person begins with an appreciation and a desire to understand the creation. This essentially means a desire to understand self, others, nature, our planet etc..
Being outside in nature and observing its beauty, its sounds, it's colours, it's way of accommodating so many creatures, it's rules, it's sustainability etc, and it's impact on self, is an obvious place to begin such a quest.