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Harnessing the Healing Power of Nature

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Nature Can Lift your Mood & Boost Your Health: So Ensure You Experience the Earth!

 

Island Healthworks discusses the ways humans benefit from time in nature at a physiological and psychological level - Purple Funch - Simon Pierre Barrette photo - May 22, 2011 - Used under CC licence BY-SA 3.0

Birdwatching engages the mind while bringing great relaxation and memories that last a lifetime. Purple Finch – Simon Pierre Barrette photo, May 22, 2011 – Used under CC licence BY-SA 3.0

Humans are part of nature and we exert a profound influence on the natural world. While much concern has focused on human impacts on forests, bird populations, water quality, air quality and endangered species, we ourselves are endangered in a different way. Without the proper access to nature that comes hand in hand with proper respect for nature, we face a variety of health challenges relating to a loss of benefits from the natural world.

A clean and healthy environment provides what humans need to be healthy and vibrant while minimizing exposure to chemical, physical and psychological stressors. In our modern world, artificial lights, sounds and landscapes combine with increased stress, toxic chemical exposures and a lack of time and space in a natural environment capable of restoring us through our senses. Our diets are increasingly processed and lacking in essential nutrients while containing excess processed content. Ecological considerations for humans depend on access to regenerating environments. Island Healthworks recommends ample time in nature to experience restoration. Mirroring the original Chinese philosophy, there is Air, Water, Earth and Fire. Our bodies correspond to the Earth as living beings and we all require clean air, pure water, nutrition including minerals from the Earth, and fire in the form of sun to bring, warmth, vital energy and promote Vitamin D formation. Biochemical and psychological benefits also abound from proper access to nature.

While common sense tells us to experience nature at its best, studies are backing up the traditional wisdom. Rates of depression and related anxiety have been found to occur at greater rates among urban populations compared to rural dwellers. While the statistical factors and primary reasons for these findings are still open to debate,  a link between “nature deficiency” and mental health should not be ruled out. Being in the forest may have very tangible biochemical benefits to your health. Studies show that the chemicals released in the sunlight by spring trees in bud and bloom can have a positive effect on humans in a forest as a form of natural aromatherapy along with many other potential benefits. According to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, there are numerous potential benefits from access to forests. As you breath the air in a forest, phytonocides given off by the trees are assimilated into the body with effects that include stimulation of the white blood cells.

Originally formed to protect the trees from fungus and bacteria, phytonocides may continue to affect the body for up to 30 days according to scientific investigations. One study in Japan is looking into the anti-cancer potential phytonocides could potentially offer. Going past biochemistry to the senses, colors and relaxation are involved.  Patients have been shown to recovery from surgery more quickly when given a green view. Studies indicate that spending time in forests and exercising in forests reduces blood pressure and cuts the release of stress chemicals such as adrenaline and cortisol.

All said and done, every effort to bring nature into your life is a wise investment in your immediate quality of life and future health as a core component of an integrative approach to your health.

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To learn more, contact Yvonne! Yvonne Dollard Perc offers phone consultations where she will develop an individualized health care program and lifestyle plan tailored to your specific needs through a personal health and lifestyle analysis.

Call 250-468-7685 to speak with Yvonne and set up a phone consultation!

Yvonne offers in-person consultations with assessment of your specific needs, health and lifestyle coaching, and the best of integrative natural health care.  To book your in person consultation, please call 250-468-7685!

This article is intended for educational purposes and the information contained within is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease or health problem. Please seek appropriate medical attention for any health complaints. We cannot take responsibility for your health care decisions. Our intent is only to offer health information to help you with your search for better health.

Article by Christopher M. Stephens, MSc. Environment, Communications Manager for Island Healthworks, with Yvonne Dollard Perc, MH, ID, SC, KN, NC, AC of Island Healthworks.  

 

The post Harnessing the Healing Power of Nature appeared first on Island Healthworks.


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