Summary

The article suggests that connecting with nature can significantly improve mental clarity, health, and nutrition by encouraging a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and providing a restorative environment for the mind.

Abstract

The article explores the concept of "nature relatedness" and its impact on health and nutrition, citing a study involving over 300 adults in Philadelphia. It reveals that individuals closely connected to nature tend to consume more fruits and vegetables. Dr. Brandy-Joe Milliron, from Drexel's College of Nursing and Health Professions, suggests that regular engagement with nature could lead to better dietary habits. The article also provides practical tips for incorporating nature into daily life, such as taking regular walks, finding nature strips, keeping plants at work and home, using nature imagery, and wearing comfortable clothing to encourage outdoor activities. The author emphasizes the importance of taking short breaks to engage with green spaces to reset the mind, body, and spirit, and potentially reduce stress and anxiety while enhancing mental health and creativity.

Opinions

The author believes in the restorative power of nature and its ability to clear the mind during times of stress or creative blocks.
Engaging with nature is seen as a way to combat exhaustion and improve the immune system.
The author values the visual experience of nature during the day over nighttime strolls.
Incorporating green spaces in the workplace and urban areas is considered beneficial for health and well-being.
Personal anecdotes from the author suggest that even small interactions with nature, such as having a desk plant, can have a positive impact.
The author promotes the use of nature imagery, such as Pinterest inspiration or a screensaver, as an alternative when direct access to nature is not possible.
Comfortable clothing is recommended to encourage walking and outdoor activities, highlighting the importance of practicality and comfort in daily life.
The article advocates for green therapy as a personal necessity for the author to maintain mental clarity, creativity, and a pleasant demeanor.
The author encourages readers to try green therapy for themselves and share their experiences.

This one Thing Could be the Key to a Better Mind, Health and Nutrition

Most of us are not even tapping into the hidden potential

How often have you said to yourself, ‘I need to clear my head for a moment?’

I find myself saying this regularly during times of overwhelm, stress or if I’m currently drowning in a task that’s quite challenging.

Creative blocks, learning fragmentations and having too much to do and not enough time can send our minds into a blank state.

It can also overwhelm our nervous system, causing exhaustion and making us more susceptible to cold and flu.

But what if there was a hidden prescription for health a few feet away from your surroundings?

Would you take the time to tap into its power to create a healthier and more enjoyable life?

New research has surveyed over 300 adults in Philadelphia to measure their self-analysis in connection with nature, including their experiences, which also filter into the foods and drinks consumed the previous day.

This helps the researchers to estimate their daily fruit and veggie intake.

The demographics consisted of gender, race, income, and education within Philadelphia during the 2010 census.

This data was collated between May and up until August 2017.

You may be surprised to read that those participants who were closely connected to nature showed a more varied diet by eating a lot more fruits and vegetables.

Brandy-Joe Milliron, PhD, an associate professor in Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions and lead author of the publication, says that “ We found that people with higher nature relatedness were more likely to report healthy dietary intake. Regular interventions with nature-based activities may lead to a greater improvement in dietary quality.”

These findings could change the way we think about our natural surroundings.

Take, for instance, workplace incorporating green spaces or urban greening into city planning.

What about nature strips or promoting nature-based experiences in the classroom for children to enjoy.

The potential for offering green spaces is enormous.

It’s no surprise that through my own experience, nature has given me so many beautiful & peaceful moments amongst the chaos.

I experience creative & conceptual blocks reading complex university material or conducting research for my assignment!

These things add to my growing overfilled plate, which sometimes trickles into less of a work-life balance.

Nature seems to offset that balance for me — here’s how.

One: Take regular walks in the morning and during the day

I don’t particularly like nighttime strolling because I don’t get the same visual experience.

The night sky with all its glory is lovely but gives me green grass, trees, and beautiful flowers to look at any day!

Two: Find a nature strip near your workplace

I don’t have much time for a lunch break when in the office; I always stroll past a tiny natural strip.

I’m not the only one, as this minor park-like feature is filled with many people on benches, eating their lunch, reading a book or conversing with a colleague.

Three: Get a plant for your desk at work and home

I have a plant on one of my bookshelves, but my office desk is cramped.

This plant may be small, but it’s grown and developed with me through the years. Pick something that appeals to you visually & something suitable for an indoor environment.

Four: Search on Pinterest

If all else fails and you can’t get out, find some visually appealing images and look at them!

Better yet, why not add one to your screen saver? I do!

My screen saver is a reminder of the place I love most and wish to visit one day soon (which is Santorini at the moment).

Five: Sometimes, comfortable clothing helps encourage walking

I get a sense of peace and comfort when I wear my favourite sneakers, pants or top. Lucky for me, work is quite casual — and my home isn’t that different.

Although they don’t apply to greenery, I pride myself in picking clothing that’s consciously comfortable!

That helps me get out the door and walk during my breaks. Plus, it helps me to increase my pace.

But, unfortunately, wearing uncomfortable clothing and shoes stopped me in my tracks! So keep that in mind next time you decide to subject yourself to heels (bring a spare pair of sneakers for your lunchtime walking adventures).

Key take away

While we sit on our chairs day in and day out and confine ourselves to a desk — it’s essential to break away from stale, air-conditioned air and fluorescent lights in favour of a green break.

It doesn’t take much time to re-set your mind, body and spirit. I get outdoors for about 20–35 minutes maximum, and it helps to clear my mind.

Try getting outdoors every day and see what changes occur just from doing that one thing.

How are your mental health, stress levels, overwhelm and anxiety?

You will notice a shift and more than likely accelerate those benefits if you add some movement to that.

For example, try walking or power walking whilst listening to something relaxing on your headphones.

Without this profound yet straightforward habit, I cannot perform or think at the level I need to — to have clarity of mind and be abundantly filled with creative ideas and have a pleasant personality for those around me!

Have you tried green therapy, and what has been your experience?

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