Researchers found M. G. Berman, J. Jonides, S. Kaplan. The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature / Psychological Science that walking in nature is more useful than walking around the city. The participants took a short memorization test, and then they were divided into two groups. Some went for a walk through the arboretum, and others through the city streets. After returning, the participants passed the test again. It turned out that the results of those who walked in nature improved by almost 20%. But walking around the city practically did not affect the results.
A similar conclusion was reached by M. G. Berman, E. Kross, et al. Interacting with nature improves cognition and affect for individuals with depression / Journal of Affective Disorders and researchers who studied the effect of walking on patients with depression.
When we are in the forest, our heart rate decreases and the level of cortisol — a hormone that is considered Y. Miyazaki, J. Lee, et al. [Preventive medical effects of nature therapy] / Nippon Eiseigaku Zasshi (Japanese Journal of Hygiene) stress indicator. In Japan, they even prescribe "forest baths to relieve stress Q. Li. Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function / Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine ».
And for office employees, stress is reduced, even if there is just a in the office W. S. Shin. The influence of forest view through a window on job satisfaction and job stress / Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research window with a view of nature.
Inflammation is associated with autoimmune disorders, intestinal diseases, depression and cancer. Scientists have found that after staying in the forest, the level of inflammation in the body decreases 1. G. X. Mao, X. G. Lan, et al. Effects of short-term forest bathing on human health in a broad-leaved evergreen forest in Zhejiang Province, China / Biomedical and Environmental Sciences
2. G. X. Mao, Y. B. Cao, et al. Therapeutic effect of forest bathing on human hypertension in the elderly / Journal of Cardiology both young and elderly people.
Surely you know the feeling when the brain seems to stall and you can't concentrate on anything. This condition is called mental fatigue. Rest and get back to normal will help S. Kaplan. The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework / Journal of Environmental Psychology stay in nature. According to research data M. G. Berman, J. Jonides, S. Kaplan. The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature / Psychological Science , people feel better even at the sight of nature images.
Walking in the woods reduces anxiety and bad mood and can M. G. Berman, E. Kross, et al. Interacting with nature improves cognition and affect for individuals with depression / Journal of Affective Disorders to be used as an adjunct to the course of treatment of depression. Moreover, the positive effect is enhanced if you are near water during a walk. Outdoor sports are also useful. They improve mood and increase self-esteem.
Scientists have found that outdoor recreation reduces K. A. Rose, I. G. Morgan, et al. Outdoor activity reduces the prevalence of myopia in children / Ophthalmology children are at risk of myopia.
Taiwanese researchers observed two schools located nearby, where the number of children suffering from myopia was approximately the same. They asked the management of one school to let the students spend more time outside during recess. A year later, the proportion of nearsighted children in this school was P.-C. Wu, C.-L. Tsai, et al. Outdoor activity during class recess reduces myopia onset and progression in school children / Ophthalmology 8.41%, and in the second — 17.65%.
Walking helps even children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. was detected A. F. Taylor, F. E. Kuo. Children with attention deficits concentrate better after walk in the park / Journal of Attention Disorders that it is easier for them to concentrate after a 20-minute walk in the park.
Imagine a treatment without side effects, available to everyone, which will also improve your creative abilities. All this gives a stay in nature.
According to research, those who are in nature for four days, creative thinking improves when solving problems R. A. Atchley, D. L. Strayer, P. Atchley. Creativity in the wild: Improving creative reasoning through immersion in natural settings / PLoS ONE by 50%.
Japanese researchers have found that walking in the forest not only reduces the level of stress hormone by 15%, but also lowers B. J. Park, Y. Tsunetsugu, et al. The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): Evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan / Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine blood pressure.
Although there is no exact evidence yet, according to preliminary data, staying in nature, especially in the forest, stimulates Q. Li, K. Morimoto, et al. Forest bathing enhances human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins / International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology the production of anti-cancer proteins.
Also, scientists from Japan found Q. Li, M. Kobayashi, T. Kawada. Relationships between percentage of forest coverage and standardized mortality ratios (SMR) of cancers in all prefectures in Japan / The Open Public Health Journal that in areas with a large number of forests, the cancer mortality rate is lower.
