Live Well: Nature Therapy

The sound of moving water, chirping birds, and rustling leaves helps us reconnect with nature. In some ways, nature may even help us reconnect with ourselves.

Sometimes called ecotherapy, nature therapy includes outdoor activities like hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, gardening, swimming, or simply spending time in natural environments.

Nature therapy has been associated with a number of health benefits like the following:

• Better lung function. With each breath, your lungs remove carbon dioxide from your blood and resupply your body with life-giving oxygen. Spending time outdoors where there is less air pollution may offer respiratory benefits.
• Reduced stress levels. Studies have found that exposure to natural environments may help reduce cortisol levels, a hormone that increases with stress.3 Forest bathing can also lower blood pressure, which may be due to feeling more relaxed while spending time in nature.
• Fewer symptoms of depression. Being outdoors can be therapeutic for your emotional and physical wellbeing, too. Exposure to sunlight triggers your body to make vitamin D and may reduce symptoms of depression. Likewise, physical activity produces endorphins (your body’s natural feel-good chemicals) which offer a distraction from negative thoughts.
• Enhanced immune function. Studies have linked nature exposure to enhanced immune function. One theory is that plants emit airborne phytoncides, which may offer benefits similar to phytonutrients that are found in fruits and vegetables. It is now understood that the lungs also contain beneficial microorganisms that support health, much like the gut microbiome. While research in this area is still in the early stages, researchers have uncovered several “microbial signatures” that are closely linked to the presence of certain types of respiratory disorders like asthma and COPD.

Taking a breath of fresh air can help put challenging moments into perspective. When life feels chaotic or stressful, step outside and let nature’s calming energy help you breathe easier.

Note: check the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) before heading outdoors. If there are wildfires affecting you, here are some ways to protect your lungs.