In this fast-paced world, filled with academic pressures and social expectations, we often forget about prioritising our mental health. With technology like A.I. and the advancement of virtual reality systems, we often get distracted from the real world and resort to these digital worlds for comfort. Finding solace in such artificial constructs takes away from the spectacle of the natural world. The diversity that all climates possess is testament to evolution and the development of our natural world. Nature plays a vital role in our pursuit of strong mental health, and in playing such a role we can also help sustain our environment.
The Psycho-Evolutionary Theory
The major concept that propagates this belief is “nature-based therapy”. Also called “ecotherapy”, this form of mental health treatment has been recently gaining traction due to growing scientific research that provides an insight into how nature can affect our mental state. One such theory proposed by the scientific community is the “Psycho-Evolutionary Theory”. Coined by Professor R.S. Ulrich of Chalmers University, Sweden, the theory claims that humans have developed an inherent “predisposition to responding positively in a natural environment” [Wikiversity] along the course of evolution. This means that when exposed to a natural environment of any sort, various physiological benefits will be observed which can help improve one’s mental health.
The Benefits Of Nature On The Mind
Spending time in nature can be a major benefit for our busy minds. Living in urban atmospheres and being exposed to such a digitalised society can make our brain susceptible to various mental health issues and damage our cognitive capabilities. But simply spending time in a green area can have profound effects on our cognitive capabilities.
For instance, studies have shown that selective attention performance - the level of attention given to a specific task - in teenagers can increase if exposed to a natural setting before being given a task to complete [Johnson et al, 2019; Stevenson et al, 2019]. Evidence has also confirmed that the environment can reduce stress levels. Studies have shown that the levels of two chemical compounds most commonly associated with stress - Salivary Cortisol and Alpha-Amylase - can decrease substantially if exposed to a natural environment for even 20 minutes a day [Hunter et al, 2019]. These studies are concrete evidence that the natural world can have a therapeutic effect on our minds, and we must use this effect to its full extent.
3 Nature Bullet Points - How Nature Influences Our Wellbeingd
Sir David Attenborough once said, “We must cherish the natural world, for we’re a part of it and we depend on it”. It’s difficult to accurately pinpoint everything that nature can provide us, but they can be summed up in 3 simple bullet points that effectively describe the pivotal role that nature plays for our mental wellbeing.
Nature Provides - Our environment is the root of all sources of food, be it processed or not. Apart from consumables, spending time in the sunshine replenishes our bodies with Vitamin D - a nutrient incredibly scarce in our diets. Natural environments also act as homes for innumerable species of wildlife that maintain balance in ecosystems.
Nature Cleanses - Being in urban environments exposes us to horrifying amounts of pollution and contaminated air that has the potential to cause chronic respiratory diseases. But all types of plants purify air and can remove pollution from our surroundings. The greater the plant population in an area, the greater the purity of the surrounding air.
Nature Heals - Nature has been proven to be incredibly helpful in mitigating the symptoms of tension-inducing conditions, such as ADHD and overt aggression. Natural environments have also been proven to reduce feelings of isolation and promote a calmer mindset. Decreases in Cortisol and improvements in self-esteem and immune system functions can be consistently observed when one engages in activity out in nature.
How We Can Give Back To Nature
Using nature “to our advantage” can have its pros and cons. On one hand, being in a natural environment can give us health benefits which bolster our minds against damaging mental health issues. On the other hand, exploiting our natural environment for its resources and abilities can snowball into the destruction of our natural environment. Multiple times in the past, large organisations and reckless legislature have wreaked havoc on our ecosystems by exploiting them of their natural resources, and leaving barren land in its place. Hence, it is imperative we give back to our environment in order to replenish it and allow it to flourish. There are numerous activities and projects that can both strengthen our mental health and give back to the environment, such as:
Gardening - Growing crops is a surefire way to mitigate any risks to mental health issues. By combining physical activity with interaction with different people and the environment, gardening helps to get the most out of nature for your mental health as well as nourishing a small section of your closer environment. Gardening can also help create a stress-free mindset, reducing the negative effects of ideas like perfectionism and anxiety.
Clean-up Projects - Cleaning up your local park or beach can be an amazing way to rejuvenate the environment and strengthen your mental health. By removing trash and other pollutants from the area, you can spur more growth and protect such a carefully-structured ecosystem. By cleaning these areas, we not only encourage growth in the environment, but also develop a deep sense of gratification. As we connect with the community and help clean up our natural environments, we can feel a sense of fulfilment that stems from our giving back to nature.
These are just some ways nature can be used as a powerful tool for improving your mental health. By taking small steps to immersing yourself in the natural world and connecting with your environment, you can surely reap the benefits and strengthen your overall well-being.
Works Cited:
How nature benefits mental health. Mind. (2021, November). https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/nature-and-mental-health/how-nature-benefits-mental-health/
Hunter, M. C. R., Gillespie, B. W., & Chen, S. Y.-P. (2019, March 15). Urban nature experiences reduce stress in the context of daily life based on salivary biomarkers. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00722/full
Jackson, S. B., Stevenson, K. T., Larson, L. R., Peterson, M. N., & Seekamp, E. (2021, March 3). Outdoor activity participation improves adolescents’ mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. International journal of environmental research and public health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7967628/#sec4-ijerph-18-02506title
Johnson, S. A., Snow, S., Lawrence, M. A., & Rainham, D. G. C. (2019, November 11). Quasi-randomized trial of contact with nature and effects on attention in children. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02652/full
Robbins, J., Gardiner, B., Pearce, F., & Goodell, J. (2020, January 9). Ecopsychology: How immersion in nature benefits your health. Yale E360. https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-health
Stress Recovery Theory. Wikiversity. (n.d.). https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Motivation_and_emotion/Book/2016/Stress_recovery_theory#What_is_Stress_Recovery_Theory_(SRT)?
Thompson, R. (2018, June). Gardening for health: A regular dose of gardening. Clinical medicine (London, England). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6334070/#S0004title
United Nations. (n.d.). Caring for the environment helps to care for your mental health. UNEP. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/caring-environment-helps-care-your-mental-health
Weir, K. (2020, April 1). Nurtured by nature. Monitor on Psychology. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature
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