Emily Sutherlin- 12/7/24 Dose of Nature

NISBET, E., & LEM, M. (2015). Prescribing a Dose of Nature. Alternatives Journal, 41(2), 36–39. http://www.jstor.org/stable/45035085 

This article talks about how it is important to protect nature. Mother Earth can help with mental health issues. Scientists have confirmed that nature can benefit our psychological and physical health. Many people are depressed by the overwhelmingly increasing environmental crises, though the fact that nature is a source of benefiting our health, helping with healing and happiness is exciting. Growing evidence supports that spending time out in nature can help “health hazards associated with urbanization, such as heart disease, respiratory illness, low birth weight, poor immune functioning, and higher mortality” (Nisbet & Lem, 2015, p.36). There's also been research in Korea, Japan, and Finland that proved that spending time outside influences our stress responses differently than being inside. When we spend time in nature, we see positive psychological effects, “such as heart rate variability, levels of Cortisol (the "fight or flight" hormone), the presence of anti-cancer proteins and the natural killer-cell activity important for immune functioning.” (Nisbet & Lem, 2015, p.36). Connecting with our Earth helps people suffering from clinical depression. If nature is not in our daily routine, we should add it as having our daily dose of nature is vital for having good mental health.


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