Nature is one of the best sources of relaxation and happiness for many people. But what makes nature so relaxing? And how can we appreciate it more in our busy lives?
In this article, we will explore some of the reasons why nature is good for us, how we are connected to it, and how we can avoid distractions from gadgets and other things that take us away from nature.
What Makes Nature So Relaxing?
One of the main reasons why nature is relaxing is that it helps us reduce stress. Studies have shown that spending time in natural environments can lower blood pressure, heart rate, cortisol levels, and inflammation.
Nature also stimulates our senses with pleasant sights, sounds, smells, and textures. These sensory experiences can calm our nervous system and improve our mood.
Another reason why nature is relaxing is that it gives us a sense of awe and wonder. Nature can inspire us with its beauty, diversity, complexity, and mystery. When we feel awe, we tend to focus less on ourselves and more on something bigger than ourselves.
This can help us feel more connected to something meaningful and transcendental.
Our Origins and Connection to Nature
We are not separate from nature; we are part of it. We evolved from natural processes and share many traits with other living beings. Our bodies are made of the same elements as the earth; our minds are shaped by natural forces; our emotions are influenced by natural cycles; our cultures are rooted in natural landscapes.
Nature supports our survival and well-being. It provides us with clean air, water, food, medicine, materials, energy, and climate regulation from nature.
We also benefit from the ecosystem services that nature provides us such as pollination, decomposition, soil formation, water purification, etc.
How Gadgets Distract Us from Nature
While technology has many advantages for our lives such as communication, education, entertainment, etc., it can also distract us from nature if we use it too much or inappropriately. Gadgets such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc., can keep us glued to screens instead of paying attention to what’s around us.
Gadgets can also interfere with our natural rhythms such as sleep cycles or circadian rhythms. They can emit blue light that suppresses melatonin production which regulates sleep quality. They can also disrupt our biological clocks by exposing us to artificial light at night which affects hormone levels.
In this other article, we take a deep look at why sustainability matters in tech, and how to make a difference.
Why We Should Respect Nature More
Nature deserves our respect not only because it provides us with many benefits but also because it has intrinsic value regardless of human use or preference. Nature has its own rights, interests, dignity, beauty, intelligence, etc., that we should acknowledge and protect.
Respecting nature means caring for it as a living entity rather than a resource to be exploited or a waste dump to be polluted. It means living in harmony with nature rather than dominating or destroying it. It means being grateful for what nature gives us rather than taking it for granted or wasting it.
How to Enjoy Nature More
There are many ways to enjoy nature more in our daily lives. Here are some suggestions:
Spend more time outdoors in natural settings such as parks, forests, gardens, beaches, mountains, etc. Observe and appreciate the details of nature such as plants, animals, rocks, clouds, stars, etc.
Engage in activities that connect you with nature such as hiking, camping, gardening, birdwatching, photography, etc. Learn more about nature through books, documentaries, podcasts, websites, etc.
Reduce your environmental impact by using less energy, water, plastic, and paper, etc., recycling your waste, etc., buying local and organic food, etc., choosing green products, etc., supporting environmental causes, etc.
If you would like to read more on this subject, check out this other article on innovative solutions for a more resilient future.
Conclusion
Nature is a wonderful gift that we should cherish and enjoy more often. It can help us relax, feel happy, and find meaning in life.
It can also teach us valuable lessons about ourselves, our origins, our connection, and our responsibility to the planet and its inhabitants. Let’s make an effort to appreciate nature more and respect it more. After all, we are nature too.
Reference
Relaxation (psychology) – Wikipedia. (2023, February 16). Link to the resource.
