No
doubt about it – these are challenging times!
Our cities are becoming crowded, sociopolitical alterations are happening
all around us and the earth’s climate is changing faster than anyone thought
possible. This tension-producing mélange is served up to
us, 24/7, in the news and on social media.
It’s no wonder we’re feeling a little stressed! In fact, we’re in serious need of stress
relievers – and our gardens, parks and local wildlands can play an important
role.
Among
the important changes (in the last 20 years) is the decreased amount of time
spent outside. Long work hours, longer
commutes, urbanization and increased time spent on-line are partly to blame. So, too, is the decreasing amount of readily available
green space in S. California – from true wildlands to informal suburban ‘green
spaces’ like vacant lots. Even when we’re outdoors, we’re more likely to
be in an urban setting, with our eyes glued to our mobile devices.
So,
why worry about our lack of quality time spent out-of-doors? Increasing evidence suggests that humans need certain types of outdoor exposures
for their physical, mental, creative and spiritual well-being. That shouldn’t surprise us: humans have spent
most of their existence in places very different from modern cities. Whether in the wilderness, on farms/ranches
or in towns of the past, nature was always just a step away. Connecting with nature was quick and easy.
For
most of human history, people were outdoors much of the time: working, walking,
playing, gardening, hunting, etc. Human bodies became well-adapted to an active life
out-of-doors. It’s not surprising that the
rapid switch to our modern, indoor life style makes it difficult for our bodies
to cope. The evidence is all around:
increased rates of obesity, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, anxiety, depression
and much more. Human bodies were meant
to be active – and to be out-of-doors.
Some
nations are way ahead of the U.S. in terms of understanding the importance of
nature to urban life. Some countries even
encourage physicians and other healers to prescribe ‘nature activities’ for their
patients. There is a growing body of
scientific evidence that supports the effectiveness of such practices. And if they work, then why not try them
here? Nature activities certainly are
more pleasant, less costly – and with fewer side effects - than most medicines.
Over
the next few months we’ll be summarizing some of the evidence regarding nature
exposure and human well-being. We’ll
also attempt to apply the evidence to the home garden, suggesting ways to make
your garden more relaxing, sustaining and healthful. We’ll also suggest ways that the whole family
can interact with gardens, parks and wildlands to increase enjoyment and
well-being. We hope you’ll want to come
along for the journey.
If
you’re interested in the nature-health connection, we suggest two provocative
books on the subject:
Louv,
Richard: The Nature Principle:
Reconnecting with Life in a Virtual Age. 2012. Algonquin Books of Chapel
Hill. ISBN: 978-1-61620-141-8.
Williams,
Florence: The nature Fix: Why Nature
Makes Us Happier, Healthier and More Creative. 2017. W.W. Norton Co. ISBN: 978-0-393-24271-3
More posts in
this series:
We
welcome your comments (below). You can
also send your questions to: mothernaturesbackyard10@gmail.com
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