How Does the Environment Help Mental Health?
Many people believe that mental health is something that can only be handled and not solved. In a way, they are correct. Although there is no definite proof that a mental illness will suddenly disappear, there are ways to treat and manage it. Therapy and medications help most, but what about a more environmental approach? Many therapists will recommend using nature and the environment to help manage mental health.
Environmental Impact
The environment is full of natural elements that trigger a part of our brain to react positively. Your brain releases hormones called endorphins when it feels any sort of stress or pain. Endorphins can be released during any pleasurable activity, especially exercise. A writer from the Cleveland Clinic states that when endorphins are sent to the brain they essentially turn off the pain within it, "It helps you to continue functioning, even in painful or stressful situations.” Spending time outside during a stressful situation or a bad mental health day can release these endorphins.
Although endorphins and dopamine are close in nature to what they provide, they are quite different. Endorphins relieve pain as it comes while dopamine helps you push through challenges which provides an award-winning feeling in the end. Both are positive transmitters that are sent to your brain, but endorphins provide that sudden burst of happiness or relaxation when doing activities you love. Spending time outside during a difficult time exposes you to natural smells, feelings, and sounds. The trickle of water from the stream nearby, the sound of the birds chirping, or the smell of the crisp air provide a sense of relaxation. But the fact is, many either don't use nature to calm themselves or believe it doesn't work, everyone is different.
Jim Robbins from Yale Environment 360 discusses a study done by Mathew White from the European Centre for Environment and Human Health at the University of Exeter. The experiment consisted of 20,000 people who spent time outside. This experiment was done to calculate how long a majority of the people spent time outside, or in "green spaces," who would then likely report feeling good health and a healthy mentality. To Mathew White's conclusion, the people who reported those feelings spent about two hours in those green spaces. Now, that's not to say you have to take two hours out of your day to spend time outside. But, it may help to spend an hour or two doing outdoor activities spaced out throughout the day and keep track of how you feel. After a certain amount of time, reflect on how your mentality and well-being are positively increasing.
Interacting with the environment to help reduce stress and anxiety doesn't only help you mentally but also provides positive effects for your body. Robbins writes, "It can lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, reduce nervous system arousal, enhance immune system function, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and improve mood." There are a wide variety of activities to do outside such as walking the dog, going for a run or walk, people-watching, and more. You don't need to follow the guidelines of White's study of spending two hours outside. Even if it's for one hour or you go outside several different times a day, you will start to feel the positive change affecting your body.
Forest Bathing
No, you don't actually bathe in the forest. Forest bathing means "taking in the forest atmosphere" which emerged in Japan in the 1980s. You can forest bathe anywhere within nature, but many people find a specific spot filled with color to emerge themselves in. National Geographic defines forest bathing as "mindful travel" due to the practice many utilize to emerge into nature. The Japanese labeled this activity as a form of eco-therapy because it positively impacts you in ways of mental and physical benefits.
Mental Benefits
Mental health is becoming more and more understood among individuals. The handheld devices we have on us 24/7 are a huge factor regarding mental health status. According to the Forest Holidays website, "A 2012 study in America demonstrated a 50% increase in creative problem solving by a group who spent four days in nature, disconnected from their electronic devices." It's important to note how the disconnection from electronic devices affects our mental health. Our minds are so connected to them that it seems almost impossible to let them go. Forest Holidays also discusses the benefits of reduced tension and stress, improved mood, better concentration, and an increase in creativity. Ultimately, your mentality will feel freer and more balanced once you breathe in what nature has to offer and the natural beauty and scents surrounding you.
Physical Benefits
Your heart is one of the most vital organs in your body. You want to ensure it stays healthy so it can keep the blood pumping. Forest Holidays states, "In a 2016 meta-study, it showed a significant effect of shinrin yoku [Forest Bathing] on reduction of blood pressure." Blood pressure is important when it comes to your heart because the higher it is the higher you’re at risk for intense health problems. The CDC states, “The higher your blood pressure levels, the more risk you have for other health problems, such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.” Along with blood pressure, forest bathing also enhances the immune system. The way that these are enhanced is through the use of natural essential oils. Trees and plants provide substances called phytoncides which are essentially nature oils that boost our immune system and help us remain healthy.
Utilizing nature to ensure your physical and mental health remains healthy is an important fact to know. The spinning, overwhelming feeling of something going wrong can feel like the room is closing in on you. Taking a walk or going for a run are only two ways that nature can positively help you. The essential oils in nature and the use of forest bathing provide your brain with a natural feeling of calmness.