Summary

The web content discusses the significant health benefits of nature, including stress reduction, disease protection, and faster recovery from illness, suggesting that regular exposure to nature is an overlooked but powerful health strategy.

Abstract

The article "Why Has No One Told Me Nature Is a Miracle Drug? (The Evidence Astonished Me)" presents compelling evidence for the health benefits of nature. It highlights three key ways nature can improve physical health: stress repair, protection from disease, and speeding up recovery. Dr. Roger Ulrich's research shows that even brief exposure to nature, such as watching a nature documentary or looking at trees, can have a restorative effect on stress levels, with subjects returning to pre-stress levels within minutes. Additionally, studies indicate that spending time in nature can boost the activity of natural killer (NK) immune cells, which are crucial in fighting infections and cancer. A notable study by Ulrich found that patients with a view of trees from their hospital window had quicker and less painful recoveries than those with a view of a brick wall. The article encourages readers to incorporate more nature into their lives through simple activities like watching nature documentaries, sitting by a window with a natural view, or spending time in parks, suggesting that these small adjustments can have a significant impact on health and well-being.

Opinions

The author suggests that people often overlook the power of nature in favor of more expensive and less enjoyable health interventions.
There is an ironic contrast between the costly and sometimes ineffective health fads people pursue and the free, accessible benefits of nature.
The article implies that modern urban environments may not provide the same health benefits as natural settings.
The author posits that the health benefits of nature are underestimated and that this lack of awareness contributes to ignoring nature as a health resource.
Dr. Roger Ulrich's research is presented as having a significant impact on understanding the relationship between nature and health.
The article conveys that even small doses of nature, such as looking at trees through a window, can have a remarkable impact on health.
The author encourages the audience to actively seek out nature, suggesting that the benefits are not only physical but also contribute to a more joyful life experience.

Why Has No One Told Me Nature Is a Miracle Drug? (The Evidence Astonished Me)

3 ways nature can improve your health

We are desperate to improve our health.

We waste time and money on things we don’t even enjoy. Stuff we do for a while but soon stop.

You know what I mean.

Paying a fortune for a gym membership
Trying disgusting smoothies
Experimenting with strange supplements.

Ironic then that we ignore something that is easy to use and free. And very powerful.

Nature

You remember that right? Trees, water, grass, flowers.

Research suggests we underestimate the power of nature on our health. And so ignore it. Seeking solutions in the latest fad instead.

Let’s see if we can change that.

Here are 3 ways nature can improve your physical health. All are based on research.

1: Nature can do stress repair

Dr Roger Ulrich is a researcher who has had a huge impact on healthcare around the world.

In one of his early experiments, he stressed out 120 students. He showed them movies of bloody accidents in a woodworking shop.

Grim I know!

Students were then given different follow-up videos. Some watched nature scenes, others saw busy roads and pedestrian malls.

The results were dramatic.

Those watching nature returned to pre-stress levels within 5 minutes. The urban video watchers had only partly recovered even 10 minutes later.

You already know that exposure to stress has a physical impact on your health. We try all sorts of things to feel better and recover.

Watching a nature documentary can have a physical restoring effect. Imagine what would happen if we went outside. Saw real trees. Wandering in a local park. Sat in our garden.

Nature heals us from the effects of stress.

Keep reading because it gets better…

2: Nature protects us from disease

Natural killer immune cells (NK cells) are a great way to show the impact of nature on our health.

NK cells help us fight infections and cancer. They send self-destruct messages to tumours and virus-infected cells. They can be measured, making them perfect for research.

Stress, aging and pesticides all reduce NK cell count. Making us more vulnerable to illness. But if we increase our NK cells we’ll be more protected.

Walking in an urban environment has no effect on our NK cells. But a group of middle-aged Tokyo businessmen hiked in nature for 2 hours for 3 days.

The results were incredible.

Nature caused their NK cell count to go up by 40%. This boost lasted 7 days and 1 month later was still 15% higher.

Walking in nature can have a huge impact on our ability to fight disease.

But what if we stay inside and only look out the window at some trees? Surely this simple activity couldn’t have a remarkable impact on our health. Could it?

3: Nature can speed up your recovery

Dr Roger Ulrich’s most influential study came in 1984. He observed the recovery of 46 patients who had their gallbladders removed.

Half the patients had a window view of some trees. The other half faced a window with a brick wall. This was the only difference between the patients.

The difference in their recovery was staggering.

The tree viewers:

had a shorter hospital stay
needed fewer painkillers in the days following the op
had more positive comments such as ‘in good spirits’ and ‘moving well’. Rather than ‘upset and crying’ or ‘needs much encouragement’.

Get this.

Viewing some trees made recovery quicker, less painful and a more joyful experience.

Looking at nature is powerful.

How to take the miracle pill of nature

What we need to do to stay healthy can be such a burden.

The good news is a little dose of nature goes a long way. Anything we do to increase the amount of nature in our life will benefit us.

Try one of these easy ideas:

watch a short nature documentary
sit at a window that looks out on trees or a garden
have plants or nature photos where you work
change your walking route to go via a tree-lined road
spend 20 minutes wandering around a park

These are all small adjustments. Extended time in nature has even more benefits. Why not try:

Day off — go to a forest or waterfall for a few hours.
Vacations — don’t just visit cities and tourist attractions. Can you include some time in nature?

Spending time in nature brings its own joys and discoveries. Knowing your body is using the time to repair and protect your health is a nice bonus.

The Compelling Writer

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