What is it:
Modern humans spend about 90% of their time indoors. Since most of our work involves staring at screens, all that time indoors can easily lead to “technostress”, which is defined as stress and anxiety associated with using technology. Amongst pediatrics, there’s been a concern and discussion about “nature deficit disorder” (NDD). It’s not an official diagnosis but a label that initially referred to children deprived of direct contact with nature due to a childhood increasingly happening indoors.
In 1982 the Japanese government coined the term ‘shinrin-yoku,’ which translates to ‘forest bathing’ to encourage walks in nature. It is easy to agree with the saying, “nature heals.” We instantly feel more relaxed and less anxious when walking in the woods or a park instead of a busy city street with the cacophony of noises around us.
Purported claims:
Although research is still trying to understand how nature increases our well-being, studies show that spending time in nature and looking at green spaces may deliver many health benefits.
Stress reduction and better mental health
Lower blood pressure
Lower risk of type 2 diabetes and all-cause mortality
Decreases recovery time and feeling of pain
Decreases unhealthy habits
Relieves ADHD symptoms
Boosts immunity
What the science says:
A large meta-analysis investigating approximately 100 health outcomes found that increased time in nature was associated with lower cortisol levels, blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, type II diabetes, preterm birth, and all-cause mortality. The incidences of stroke, asthma, coronary heart disease, and dyslipidemia were all reduced.
In an Irish study about chronic pain and green exercise, defined as exercising in nature, 94% of patients reported that nature improved their mood and discomfort. The most common chronic pain complaint was back pain. A recent study on greenspace exposure and pain reception found that physical visits to greenspace increased pain threshold and tolerance compared to just looking at an image of green space.
But simply seeing a green space can positively affect health, according to some studies. A study in a Pennsylvania hospital recorded patients with a view of trees and bushes outside the window recover faster, receive fewer negative evaluation comments from nurses, and take fewer potent analgesics than those staring at walls. A study from the UK showed that access to gardens or just seeing trees around your home reduced the frequency and intensity of cravings for alcohol, tobacco, and unhealthy foods.
ADHD is the most common neurobehavioral disorder in childhood. Studies have shown that the increased time spent indoors and especially engagement with screens can worsen ADHD symptoms in children. Although ADHD medications work for some kids, they are ineffective for others. Regular time outdoors and especially doing non-structured activities appears to alleviate symptoms for kids who don't respond to medicines and reduce the need for medication for those who use them, according to research. Behavioral experts say that studies provide clear evidence that time in nature can increase focus for adults and children.
Time spent in nature can also fight disease by ramping up your immune system. A Japanese study showed that a two-day trip to nature where participants walked 2-4 hrs per day in the forest significantly increased natural killer cell activity. Findings also showed increased levels of intracellular anti-cancer proteins in people.
Our take:
Nature is our natural habitat and is essential to humans' physical, psychological, and social well-being. It's been said that people who have access to green spaces have more energy and a stronger sense of purpose. No matter how much of a city person you feel you are, studies strongly point to the fact that people living in spaces that lack trees and other natural features undergo some degree of social, psychological, and physical breakdown similar to animals that have been taken out of their natural habitat. You should include time in nature in your daily routine for the best possible health outcomes.
Will this benefit you?
You don't have to sell your house and move to the countryside to reap the health benefits of nature. If you live in the city, you can walk or ride your bike in a park. You could also consider starting a small garden in your backyard or patio. Any increase in the natural green setting is positive for your physical and mental health. And it doesn't have to involve strenuous exercise unless you want to. Enjoying the scenery and listening to the outdoor sounds without distractions (that means not taking the phone out except to take photos) is all it takes to reap the benefits. So go out there and enjoy the great outdoors!
References and additional reading:
Technostress: https://www.adeccogroup.com/future-of-work/latest-insights/what-is-technostress-and-how-you-can-manage-it/
Nature deficit disorder: https://www.proquest.com/openview/a987ec02528b8b51140c9486b2ff8431/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=25318
Greenspace and overall health outcomes: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29982151/
Forest bathing and cortisol: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00484-019-01717-x
Forest bathing and blood pressure:
Forest bathing and mental health: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11469-020-00363-4
Green exercise and feeling of pain/mood: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11845-018-1923-x
Green views and recovery in hospital setting:
Green space visits and pain threshold: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/7/918
Green space and cravings: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1353829218308451?via=ihub
ADHD and green space: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1448497/
Forest bathing and immunity: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18394317/
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