• Matthew 22:37-39
  • John 15:12-13
  • Psalm 69:35
  • Isaiah 1:18
  • John 15:12-13
  • Luke 11:41
  • Proverbs 17:22
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17
  • Ezekiel 18:25-28
  • 1 Corinthian 13:4-7
  • Luke 11:41
  • Proverbs 17:22
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17
  • Ezekiel 18:25-28
  • Ezekiel 18:25-28
  • 1 Corinthian 13:4-7

Saturday, September 17, 2016

Nature’s Therapeutic Benefits


There is a solid findings affirming that direct contact with nature increases mental health, psychological and spiritual development. Based on researches, nature helps:


More than 100 research studies disclose that outdoor recreation reduces stress. In a research of individuals exposed to stressful videos of accidents, those who watch a succeeding nature video recovers quicker than those who watch a video with different content. Accordingly, a view of nature even through a window hustles recovery from surgery, enhances work efficiency, and augments work contentment. By watching the ever-changing environments in nature, individuals nurture an upbeat attitude, rehabilitated concentration, alertness, and sensory responsiveness.


Nature has therapeutic attributes treating conditions like attention disorders and depression; the greener a child’s everyday environment the more manageable their symptoms of attention-deficit disorder. Taking a “green walk” reduces their depression (71%), trims down their tension (50%), and amplifies their self-esteem (90%).  The Holy Scriptures even affirm these as it re-echoes:

Sirach 13:25 The sign of a good heart is a cheerful countenance; withdrawn and perplexed is the laborious schemer.

Sirach 30:21-22 Do not give in to sadness, torment not yourself with brooding; Gladness of heart is the very life of man, cheerfulness prolongs his days.

Sirach 30:24 Envy and anger shorten one's life, worry brings on premature old age.



Being in nature also bequeaths a sense of attachment, significance, and purpose because the more we appreciate the interconnectivity between nature and human as teamwork in conservation of ecosystem, the more we appreciate sense of purpose and belonging, as preservationist and Sierra Club founder John Muir 
1838-1914)  says, “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you… while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”


High-esteem and pleasure of nature likewise lead to a sense of spirituality and a gratitude for powers mightier than oneself because it’s only through silence that we could apportion a quality quiet time that gives opportunity to talk to God more privately and solemnly. “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better,” as legendary physicist Alber Einstein (1879-1955) says. 

Even Jesus Himself spends His quiet time that the Father in Heaven may give Him strength to face whatever the future may look like, as the Scripture says:

Matthew 14:23 After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone.

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.


Isaiah 40:28-31 Do you not know or have you not heard? The LORD is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles' wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint. 



Trekking through the wilderness combines an intensified sense of awareness of one’s environments with the call to be part of nature. Nature trippers comprehend and process environmental information through mapping, exploring, and interpreting the landscapes, obstacles, and surroundings; a physical activity which minimizes anxieties, risk of disease, and perks up psychological welfare. As a matter of fact, research recommends outdoor exercise as more beneficial than indoor exercise.

In nature, people discover that challenge is actually the occasion for self-progression, develop an internal attitude of control, and develop self-reliance. Wilderness encounters bestow people with optimism in the inescapability of nature and the pace of life, mixed up with a nourishing aptitude to surrender control. Nature-goers realize to believe on their natural aptitude to conquer both expected and unexpected hurdles and to be grateful that things work out even if they aren’t in utter control, which eventually develops confidence and a sense of self-worthy and fulfillment.

According to the research, natural spaces arouse children’s imaginations and creativity, and playing outdoors improves cognitive suppleness, problem-solving aptitude, and self-discipline. 

Sirach 30:23 Distract yourself, renew your courage, drive resentment far away from you; For worry has brought death to many, nor is there aught to be gained from resentment 



Likewise, the nature-goers’ shared challenge offers the extra advantages of connection, social support, closeness, and the ability to lend a hand, turning it as  a community or family unit

Adolescence which is an angst-ridden stage of self-discovery is the ideal time to discern the lessons nature can teach. Teens that are immersed into a wilderness encounter leave their family, their familiar community and environment and the roles they have adopted to experiment fresh social roles which develops a new self-image, a new way of relating to other people and the environment, and new modes to react to the daily life’s challenge. Ideal candidates for therapeutic wilderness programs are students exhibiting at-risk behaviors like disobedience, rebellion, trialing with drugs and/or alcohol, sexual promiscuity, poor school performance, and other behavioral complexities.


1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do.

1 Thessalonians 13:14 Show esteem for them with special love on account of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all. 

Further, the best antidote for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go somewhere where they can be hush privately with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God desires to see His creations happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.  Nature brings relief in all dilemmas.



References:

  1. http://www.crchealth.com, Why Nature Is Therapeutic
  2. Lecia Bushak, Benefits Of Ecotherapy: Being In Nature Fights Depression, Improves Mental Health And Well-Being, http://www.medicaldaily.com 
  3. Carol Sorgen, Nature therapy may mean that better health is right outside your door, http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/nature-therapy-ecotherapy

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