The Benefits of Nature Walks

Did you know that spending a significant time in nature can reduce your stress, anxiety, and depression? According to Harvard Health, there are many health benefits of spending time in nature.

• Spending time in nature can reduce negative thoughts.                                      According to Harvard Health, looking at trees and greenery can help distract your mind from negative thoughts. Instead of focusing on negative emotions and thoughts, your brain will focus on nature.

• Spending time in nature can reduce activity in your prefrontal cortex               A research study, done by Harvard Health, compared the brain activity of individuals who walked in nature for 90 minutes and individuals who walked in an urban setting for 90 minutes. The results showed that the individuals who did the nature walk had lower activity in their prefrontal cortex, the region of the brain that is active in the repetitive thoughts that focus on negative emotions.

• Spending time in nature can be therapeutic.                                                                                                                                                          Sounds of a river running, birds chirping, and wind in the trees are all examples of calming nature sounds. According to Harvard Health, these sounds can lower your blood pressure and lower the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.

• Walking in nature will not just improve your mental health but it will also improve your physical health as well! Harvard Health recommends walking in nature three times a week in nature in order to achieve these health benefits.