3 Reasons Why Nature Is Good for Our Health

I crept into the room. The television blared Drew Carey’s voice on “The Price is Right.” My mom’s wheelchair faced the sunlight streaming through the window, so all I saw was the back of her head. I took a deep breath and wondered if it would be a good day.

It guaranteed a good day if the weather permitted me to wheel her outside to the courtyard to sit in the sun. Face upturned, eyes closed, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her face. We toured the gardens, enjoying the flowers and trees. Because of her stroke, my mom couldn’t tell me she enjoyed our outdoor excursions, but I am confident she benefited from them.

What if a wheelchair trapped you indoors, so you couldn’t go outside whenever you wanted? This was reality for my mother for over three years in the nursing home.

Why should we spend more time outside? How is nature good for our health?

Nature delights

Moderate sun exposure relieves anxiety and depression. Sunlight boosts serotonin, lifting the mood and reducing stress.

In addition, sunlight first thing in the morning suppresses melatonin production. This resets our sleep-wake cycle and increases energy. At night, melatonin levels increase so we can have a good night’s sleep.

Nature heals

God created us from the dust of the earth, “Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature” (Genesis 2:7, ESV).

Therefore, it makes sense that contact with the dust of the earth heals us. Connecting the body to earth or to another conductive substance in contact with the ground is called “earthing” or “grounding.”

Our modern lifestyle—riding in a car, wearing shoes in buildings and on carpets—accumulates positive charges in the body, known as “free radicals”. Our feet in contact with the earth with no barriers such as shoes balances these positive charges by transferring negative charges from the ground into the body.

Reported benefits include reduced chronic pain, improved sleep, reduced chronic stress, normalized blood pressure and blood flow, and reduced chronic inflammation.

Go ahead, take off your shoes and stroll in the park. Or head to the beach and curl your toes in the sand.

Did you know there is a scientific reason to “stop and smell the roses?” Forest therapy, also called forest bathing, is healing and wellness through immersion in forests and other natural environments.

Many plants, especially evergreen trees, emit chemicals called phytoncides. These chemicals protect plants from invaders such as bugs, animals, and insects. This may be part of the reason forest therapy boosts the immune system, increases mental performance and creativity, and relieves stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.

Nature inspires

Genesis 1 reveals God’s creation of heaven and earth out of nothing. And He declares the goodness of His creation, “Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good” (Genesis 1:31, NLT).

Nature inspires awe and wonder of God’s creation. We marvel at a beautiful sunset, towering mountains, the roar of the ocean, and majestic trees. Our problems fade into the background as we enjoy all God created for us.

As David wrote in the Psalms, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1, NIV). God’s creation reflects His glory.

The vastness of God’s creation makes us seem insignificant. How can a mighty God who created all of this love me? Worship Him in awe of all He has done for us.

Conclusion

Nature is good for our health by delighting us, healing us, and inspiring us. So, go out and spend some time outside enjoying nature!

My mom is no longer imprisoned in a wheelchair. Instead of turning her face to the sun, I picture her in heaven, lifting her face to Jesus, the Lamb of God. As John wrote of the New Jerusalem in heaven, “And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light” (Revelation 21:23, NLT).