In the rush and noise of modern life, many people have forgotten about nature. Yet the human body and soul are deeply connected to it. Scientists emphasize that just 20 minutes of walking among trees slows the heart rate, normalizes blood pressure, and reduces stress.
Nature recharges the human body with calming energy. The sound of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the sight of greenery soothe the nervous system. This process naturally lowers the body’s stress hormones.
120 minutes in nature can extend life
A large-scale study in the United Kingdom involving 20,000 people found that those who spend at least two hours per week in nature feel healthier, calmer, and more emotionally balanced.
These two hours don’t have to be at once — they can be divided into shorter sessions. The key is direct contact with nature. Even a simple walk in the park or time in the garden can have a healing effect on the body.
HORMONES COME INTO BALANCE
Spending time outdoors, especially in forests, reduces cortisol and adrenaline — hormones responsible for stress. Nature also activates the immune system, increasing the number of “natural killer” cells that fight viruses and inflammation.
A Japanese study on “shinrin-yoku,” or “forest bathing,” found that after three days in a pine forest, participants’ levels of these cells rose significantly, and the effect lasted for a week. Scientists attribute this to phytoncides — natural aromatic compounds released by trees — which calm the nervous system and strengthen the heart.
“Green prescription” — healing through nature
In the UK, Japan, and Canada, doctors recommend that patients, in addition to medication, spend more time outdoors — a practice known as a “green prescription.” Regular exposure to nature helps relieve fatigue, stress, and depression.
This method benefits not only the mind but also the body: it improves breathing, heart rhythm, and sleep quality.
The scent of nature heals
Nature heals not only through sight but also through smell. The scent of pine, rain, or damp soil activates brain regions associated with calm and safety.
Even a short 10-minute walk in a park can reduce stress, boost mood, and improve sleep.
Beneficial gut bacteria increase
People who spend more time outdoors have a richer gut microbiome. These beneficial bacteria aid digestion, strengthen immunity, and help stabilize mood.
Urban noise and pollution, on the other hand, reduce these microorganisms, leading to chronic fatigue and low energy.
Bring nature into your home
If you can’t always go out, you can still bring nature indoors. NASA research shows that plants such as aloe vera, dracaena, chlorophytum, and spathiphyllum remove up to 80% of toxins from the air.
Creating a green home environment reduces stress, improves focus, and stabilizes mood. Aromatherapy with lavender, pine, or lemon oils calms the nerves and enhances sleep.
To feel closer to nature, you don’t need to go far — open a window, place a small plant in your room, or refresh the air with natural scents. This way, you carry nature’s healing power with you every day.
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