Throughout history, humans have
impacted our natural environment. And in turn, our environment has impacted us.
Every year, millions of Americans will go outdoors to visit national parks,
nature preserves, and botanical gardens. Studies have shown that our
surroundings have a big impact on our mental and emotional well-being- and nature,
in particular, has a restorative effect that is now backed by research.
- · The experience of nature helps to restore the mind from the mental fatigue of work or studies, contributing to improved work performance and satisfaction.[1]
- · In several experiments, the presence of plants and nature views in the workplace improved employee morale, decreased absenteeism, and increased worker efficiency [2,3,4]
- · Depression occurs at any age and can be helped through improved social connections (to decrease the feeling of isolation) and exercise, both of which are promoted by having nearby green outdoor spaces. In one study, 71% of people found a reduction in depression after going on an outdoor walk versus a 45% reduction by those who went on an indoor walk.[5]
 |
| You want some of this all-natural antidepressant with no bad side effects. |
On the flip side, environmental
degradation has negative consequences for our psyche - not to mention our
quality of life as a whole. One needs only to look to the smog-related health
crisis in China, or the oil spills that occur in waterways every year, to know
the detrimental effects of pollution. Though, these are only a few prominent
examples of the impact of modern-day civilization’s food and energy needs on
the planet.
On a larger scale, a paper
published by the American Psychological Association describes how global
climate change is likely to have significant negative effects on mental health
and well-being, effects that will be felt most by vulnerable populations and
those with preexisting serious mental illness. [6]
Feeling stressed from reading
that? Psychologists have something to say about this, too - the same APA paper
examines the range of emotions associated merely with confronting facts about
climate change and environmental degradation. Needless to say, the effect is
not a positive one.
As much as modern day humans try
to separate ourselves from nature, we are still very much a part of the complex
and fragile ecosystem in which we evolved. So what can we do to care for our
own well-being while doing right by the planet?
- Learn more about important issues affecting the environment for our future generations (climate change, biodiversity, ocean health, etc.), then take steps towards educating others. And if learning about the issues gets you fired up, turn the energy into positive action.
- Get involved, whether it’s by joining a local group for habitat restoration, or a nonprofit organization to push for sustainable energy policies. Support national parks by finding and visiting one near you - which is also a great stress relieving activity.
Nature has a transcendental
effect, a healing effect on us. We should work to preserve it for many reasons,
not least of all the health of our current and future generations.
“Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” – John Muir
- Shibata, S., and N. Suzuki. 2002. Effects of the Foliage Plant on Task Performance and Mood. Journal of Environmental Psychology 22, 3: 265-272.
- Lohr, V.I., C.H. Pearson-Mims, and G.K. Goodwin. 1996. Interior Plants May Improve Worker Productivity and Reduce Stress in a Windowless Environment. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 14, 97-100.
- Fjeld, T., B. Veiersted, L. Sandvik, G. Riise, and F. Levy. 1998. The Effect of Indoor Foliage Plants on Health and Discomfort Symptoms Among Office Workers. Indoor and Built Environment 7, 4: 204.
- Kaplan, R. 1993. The Role of Nature in the Context of the Workplace. Landscape and Urban Planning 26, 1-4: 193-201.
- Anon. 2007. Ecotherapy: The Green Agenda for Mental Health. Mind: For better mental health, London, pp., 36 pp.
- https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/amp-66-4-265.pdf
Additional Reading
