5 Reasons to Reconnect with Nature

Anyone can vouch for the soothing, rejuvenating effect that seems to come with the great outdoors. There’s just something about breathing in the fresh scent of evergreen trees, listening to trickling water, and watching the sky transform into a gorgeous color palette at sunset that makes your brain go ahh. But did you know that spending time in nature offers considerable benefits to your mind and body? As if the sheer beauty of luscious green forests and snow-capped mountain landscapes wasn’t enough to inspire you to book your next nature retreat, here are five reasons that you should make plans to reconnect with Mother Nature.

 

1. It makes you happy.

More and more studies are showing that being outside in nature elicits happiness. Even a simple look at a natural scene can produce this effect. In fact, a study done at Chonnam National University in South Korea found that images of landscapes, such as forests and mountains, heightened activity in the areas of the brain linked to emotional stability, positive outlook, and happy memories.

 

2. It makes you healthy.

Researchers have also linked more time in nature with both physical and emotional health benefits. They've found that being outside reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, combats depression, and even leads to faster healing time. Additionally, a Japanese study found that spending time in a forest environment had beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and blood glucose levels in patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

 

3. It makes you more focused.

We all know hanging out with Mother Nature gives our brains a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but it can also help increase your focus once you get back to the daily grind. Researchers at the University of Michigan concluded that just an hour spent interacting with nature improved attention span, as well as memory performance. Both increased by 20 percent in their 2008 study.

 

4. It makes you nicer.

Having trouble relating to others? Turns out scientists have demonstrated that spending time in nature leads to increases in empathy. A study done at the University of Rochester found that when people were exposed to natural environments, they placed a higher value on community and close relationships. They were even more generous with money. The more subjects engaged with the natural settings, the more pronounced these effects became.

 

5. It makes you more creative.

If you can find the strength to step away from the internet, put down your cell phone, pack up that iPad, and head outside, you’ll find that it’s not just good for your mental health; it’s also good for your inner artist. Researchers at the University of Kansas reported that people who were immersed in nature and disconnected from electronics for a few days saw a boost in creativity of almost 50 percent! This 2012 study suggests that improvements to creative problem-solving skills peak after about three days of disconnecting from technology and embracing the great outdoors.

 

So...long weekend in the mountains, anyone?