The natural world. It is ever changing, and yet constantly familiar. Seasons come and go, the leaves fall and grow–it is always evolving, and yet we expect the same things every year. The joy of freshly fallen snow in winter, the anticipation and excitement summer brings and the wonder of new life in spring. Humans have been reliant on the natural world throughout history, from using livestock and land for sustenance and income, to tending lovingly to pets and plants. And yet nowadays in our modern world, we pay less attention than ever to the natural phenomenons around us. Our lives have led us to spend more time than ever indoors and as a consequence we have lost our bond with the wild - at a detriment to our health. Shockingly, three quarters of children in the UK aged 5-12 now spend less time outdoors than prisoners (1). Physical and mental health have never been so pertinent; nature can be a picturesque antidote to modern day stress, allowing us to reconnect to the world which has been so deeply intertwined with our survival.
Ecotherapy is a recognised tool used in improving mental health and is advocated by organisations such as Mind.org.uk. It is an evolving scientific field, in which studies are continuously showing new evidence of how experiencing more time in nature can better mental and physical health. A recent study showed that those who spent a minimum of 120 minutes a week with direct exposure to nature had greater levels of health and wellbeing, including lowered blood pressure and cortisol levels, than those with no exposure at all (2).
Physiologically we respond well to nature, but our brains also enjoy the restorative qualities our natural environment brings us, even without taking a long walk outside. In one study, 150 university students were given a task which required sustained attention, followed by a 40 second break before repeating the task. Students were randomly assigned to look at a flowering meadow scene or a concrete roof during the break (3). Those who viewed the scene of nature exhibited better sustained attention and made significantly less omission errors during the second task than those who looked at the concrete roof. The findings suggest that improved cognitive function can be attained even within city environments and over short periods of time (3). Now that our modern lives require longer periods of sustained focus, many people are suffering from ‘directed attention fatigue’ (4). Directed attention is crucial in our lives, helping us focus and problem solve efficiently. When our focus dwindles, it can have detrimental effects. The restorative benefits of taking time to experience nature has been shown to lessen our stress and restore our directed attention. The sense of ‘getting away’ from our work to be in nature allows our minds to effortlessly process the world around us, culminating in greater relaxation (4). Reveling in the natural environment and enjoying some greenery can help buffer the effects of prolonged concentration, allowing us to be more efficient workers.
Even without living in the countryside, low levels of neighbourhood nature can improve mental health. Studies found that those living in areas with increased vegetation and birdsong had reduced severity of anxiety and stress (5). Finding snippets of nature in city life such as parks, woods and birdsong can be hugely beneficial. Additionally, social connection can thrive from natural environments. Places such as community gardens and conservation groups encourage social connections and connection to the natural world (6) to combat excessive time spent indoors and in front of screens. Furthermore, reduced mental fatigue and greater cognitive function result in less aggressive and violent behaviour, creating happier and healthier communities (6).
The benefits of our natural world do not stop at plants and trees - companion animals also have a positive impact on mental health. Surveys carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic showed that the majority of pet owners said that their animals were a source of emotional support, helping to lessen loneliness and distress. It is also noted that the species of animal did not have any effect on the emotional bond shared (7). Pets provide a physical comfort to owners, providing a sense of purpose to their lives. Many owners also reported that talking to their pets provided a safe outlet to express their feelings without judgment (8). Further research has shown that war veterans experiencing PTSD benefited from having a canine companion–owning a dog helped ease feelings of loneliness, depression and worry (8).
Just as the natural world is vast and complex, so too are humans and our health. Continued research suggests that incorporating time outdoors and with our pets into our busy schedules will have profound benefits on our wellbeing. From improving our mental and physical health to enhancing cognitive function and bringing communities together, we can use nature as a buffer to our daily stressors. By interacting with our world and all its living beauty, we can cultivate a more profound and intimate respect for this world. Maybe then, we can truly understand how much nature gives, and how little it takes.
References:
1) Jones, L., 2021. Losing Eden. [S.l.]: Penguin Books.
2) White, M.P., Alcock, I., Grellier, J., Wheeler, B.W., Hartig, T., Warber, S.L., Bone, A., Depledge, M.H. & Fleming, L.E. 2019, "Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing", Scientific reports, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 7730-11.
3) Lee, K.E., Williams, K.J.H., Sargent, L.D., Williams, N.S.G. & Johnson, K.A. 2015, "40-second green roof views sustain attention: The role of micro-breaks in attention restoration", Journal of environmental psychology, vol. 42, pp. 182-189.
4) 4) Kaplan, S. 1995, "The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework", Journal of environmental psychology, vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 169-182.
5) Daniel T.C. Cox, Shanahan, F.F., Hudson, H.L, Plummer, K.E, Siriwardena, G.M, Fuller, R.A, Anderson, K, Hancock, S & Gaston, K.J., 2017, "Doses of Neighborhood Nature: The Benefits for Mental Health of Living with Nature", Bioscience, vol. 67, no. 2, pp. 147-155.
6) Keniger, L.E., Gaston, K.J., Irvine, K.N. & Fuller, R.A. 2013, "What are the benefits of interacting with nature?", International journal of environmental research and public health, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 913-935.
7) Ratschen, E., Shoesmith, E., Shahab, L., Silva, K., Kale, D., Toner, P., Reeve, C. & Mills, D.S. 2020, "Human-animal relationships and interactions during the Covid-19 lockdown phase in the UK: Investigating links with mental health and loneliness", PloS one, vol. 15, no. 9, pp. e0239397-e0239397.
8) Brooks, H.L., Rushton, K., Lovell, K., Bee, P., Walker, L., Grant, L. & Rogers, A. 2018, "The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of the evidence", BMC psychiatry, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 31-31.
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