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Enjoy Nature for your Health!

Nature is my place to re-charge and de-stress. That's where I go when I don't feel connected or feel out of sorts. Walk on the beach, or in the woods, or a park and get out in nature to get your connection back. It's scientifically proven that nature can come to your rescue! Research shows the healing and calming effects of nature on the mind and body. Published research has shown that people who took a 90 minute walk in nature report lower levels of rumination and had reduced neural activity in the area of the brain linked to risk of mental illness, such as depression, than those who don’t get outdoors. Suggestions are that having access to natural areas may be vital for our mental health.

Some studies have shown that even just viewing pictures of nature can activate areas of the brain associated with empathy and calmness Amazing how our brain works, isn’t it?

The Japanese term "Shinrin-yoku" means spending time in the forest or forest-bathing. Forest bathing benefits physical and mental health because you inhale beneficial bacteria, plant-derived essential oils and negatively charged ions from the  forest air.

Living near nature can extend your lifespan as well. All types of green spaces are shown to be equally beneficial, city parks, agricultural areas, forests, farms, or any green space.

Some of us feel a pull to spend time in nature. Your brain and body are made to sync with nature, sunrise and sunset, changing of seasons, and more. Our brains are not wired for the 24/7 world of today and that is a lot of the reason there is so much illness and chronic disease in our society. The scent of lush earth and the sounds of a "noisy" creek help our body to relax and release. Many benefits can be realized by practicing getting out in nature.

A few more of the many benefits of spending time in nature include: Less pain and better sleep, a better workout, boost to your creativity and can even improve your focus.

Travel nurses and other healthcare travelers can explore your new environment while enjoying nature. You can always check online and find some green space close to you. If you can, try to spend a few minutes outdoors each day. It can be as simple as a quick walk down a tree lined street or having lunch outdoors in a park or by a lake. When you can spend more time go for a hike in nature. It's one of the best adventures I've found and helps me decompress from the craziness of the world we are living in these days.