Nature and Health

Nature and Health

It has been well documented that one’s environment  plays a very important role in improving and maintaining health. Unpleasant environments result in negative emotions: sadness, anxiety, fear, stress, etc. These emotions negatively affect health: raising heart rate and blood pressure, increasing stress and anxiety, releasing stress hormones and suppressing immunity, all of which can lead to negative health outcomes. Pleasant, peaceful environments do the opposite - promoting health and well being.

A surgeon, Dr. Ulrich did a study of his gall bladder patients, half of whom,  during recovery, had a view of the outdoors through a window, and the other half stared at a wall. Those facing the window required fewer doses of pain medication, recovered faster, and complained less! Those facing the wall had more depression, anxiety and pain requiring medication. The patients facing nature also had shorter hospital stays. Conclusion: the presence of nature in one’s health profile results in reduced negative symptoms and improved recovery.

The Japanese have discovered the concept of “forest bathing” whereby, if one spends a brief period of time in the forest intermittently, amongst trees and vegetation, even some wildlife, stress will be relieved and many disease states will be prevented.

Readers of this column will know that any kind of stress is a contributor to disease. So the point is to reduce stress. One does not need to travel to a deep forest or the beach to appreciate nature. Even in the middle of a busy city, if one is mindful, there are nature scenes: birds soaring, a beautiful tree or flowers, squirrels cavorting, cloud formations, green trees silhouetted against a bright blue sky. Any scene which evokes a sense of wonder, beauty and peace can reduce stress and promote calmness and healing. This can be done anywhere!

So look outside, enjoy the nature around you, and you will find a moment of peace and healing!

In health,

Dr. John Monaco

MONACO Wellness

www.monacowellness.org

(813) 541-6440