With our busy lives, do you sometimes feel overwhelmed and tired? Sometimes, when we are stuck at home with heavy rains, or when we are in the city with traffic and chaos , it is normal to feel a little stressed and anxious. But did you know that there is a very simple and very powerful way to relax our minds at times like these? That is, to pay a little attention to nature.
The amazing relief that comes from seeing nature
According to Holli-Anne Passmore, an expert who has researched this, simply paying attention to the little things in our environment and nature can greatly boost our mental health. You don't have to do big things, climb mountains, or go for walks in the woods. You can do this within your daily life.
Imagine, when you look out the window in the morning and see a polkichche sitting in a mango tree and eating a berry. Or you look at the strange green color of the leaves of the trees after a good rain, or at the moon shining in the sky at night. It's little things like this that mean this.
In a study conducted to confirm this, people were divided into two groups .
- The first group was told: For two weeks, while going about their usual work, they were to look at the things in nature around them, think about what they felt when they saw them, and take pictures of them.
- The second group was told: They were also told to do the same thing, but instead of looking at things in nature, they were told to look at things made by humans (such as buildings and vehicles).
After two weeks, the results were amazing. The mental state of those in the group who looked at nature was much higher than the others.
| Benefit received | Description |
|---|---|
| Satisfaction with life | He felt more happy and satisfied with his life. |
| Connection with nature | The feeling of being a part of nature had increased. |
| Positive emotions | Positive emotions such as gratitude, wonder, and vitality had increased. |
Experts say that we often lock ourselves away in our homes and offices, forgetting about the world outside. But this little habit can change that.
Why do we feel so good when we see nature?
There are several scientific reasons for this. Let's see what they are.
Calming our nervous system
Simply put, there is a part of our nervous system called the Parasympathetic Nervous System . Its main function is to relax our body and mind. When we see something beautiful in nature, for example, when we see sunlight filtering through the trees, this nervous system is stimulated and calms us down.
In Japan, there is a famous thing called 'forest bathing' . It means going to a forest and enjoying the peaceful environment. This also calms our mind, as mentioned earlier.
The way we are made
There is an idea called the 'biophilia hypothesis' . It states that humans evolved in conflict with nature. Therefore, our genes have an amazing ability to connect with nature and be attracted to it.
Another thing is that it is very easy for our brain to understand and process ( process ) things in nature (a stream, a tree, a flower). It does not require a lot of mental effort. This is called 'processing fluency' . For example, look at water. When we look at the sea, a river, a waterfall, or just a water flower, we feel incredibly relaxed, don't we? The reason is that our brain can experience that scene without any effort.
Soft Fascination
Nature has the ability to capture our attention very gently, without us even realizing it. This is called 'soft fascination' . Things like the noise of traffic in a busy city, the shouting of people, etc. forcefully capture our attention. It's tiring. But when we watch a leaf on a tree move, or a bird fly, our attention is drawn to it very lightly. Then we have the opportunity to think freely, to think about our problems in a different way.
How do you incorporate this into your life?
This is much easier than you think. The most important thing is to understand that nature is not just the forest.
- The sky is nature : No matter how busy you are, at least once a day, raise your head and look at the sky. Watch the way the clouds move, the colors change.
- A plant in your home: Look at a potted plant in your home. A new leaf sprouting from it, a blooming flower will bring you joy.
- A blade of grass emerging from a crack in the sidewalk: Even in the city, nature is everywhere. Get used to noticing those little things.
- Enjoy the rain: Instead of complaining about it, go to a window and watch the raindrops fall. Smell the scent of the wet earth.
- Practice Awe: Look up at the sky at night and see the stars and the moon. When you think about how small we are and how big this universe is, our problems start to feel like very small things.
As this habit gradually becomes a part of your life, you will realize that every time you look at nature, your heart feels happy and peaceful. It's like planting a seed. If you give it a little attention at first, it will grow bigger and bigger.
Sometimes it's raining so hard that you can't go outside, or the sun is so strong. At times like that, it's nice to just look out the window and enjoy the weather from inside the house. The wind, the rain, the clouds... all of this is so interesting.
But remember, these are simple ways to help with things like normal sadness, anxiety, and stress. If you have a long-term mental health condition like depression, or if your stress is unbearable, be sure to see your doctor for advice.
Take-Home Message
- Looking at nature is a very simple and powerful way to improve your mental well-being.
- This doesn't require a big trip. The sky, a plant at home, or a tree you can see through the window will do.
- This habit can be added to your daily life without any extra effort or time.
- It has been scientifically proven that looking at nature stimulates the nervous system, which reduces stress and calms the mind.
- This habit will increase your life satisfaction, positive emotions, and connection with nature.
- If you have uncontrollable, prolonged stress or anxiety, it is important to seek medical advice immediately.
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