Have you ever felt the peace and tranquility of lying on green grass and watching clouds float by? Have you ever been drawn to nature, craving to hike in the woods, camp near a river, or simply enjoy the majesty of trees and the beach? Have you ever wondered why we feel so connected to nature, and how we can use that connection to create balance and harmony in our lives?
As humans, we are innately connected to nature, and our attraction to natural settings is grounded in our very being. Dr. Michael J. Cohen, a renowned ecopsychologist and 1994 Distinguished Citizen, has devoted over 50 years of research to exploring the benefits of connecting with nature through Applied Eco-psychology. His study courses, workshops, and camps help participants understand how sensory deprivation can harm our well-being and how we can use nature to restore balance and harmony in our lives.
Through the Ecopsychology Natural Systems Thinking Process (NSTP), participants can connect with over 50 natural senses and rediscover their place as part of the web of life. This process involves simple instructions to help us reconnect with nature, reduce stress, and increase our overall well-being. By tapping into our natural attractions, we can deepen our understanding of ourselves and our place in the ecosystem, gaining wisdom and insights that can improve our cognitive and emotional states.
The benefits of connecting with nature are well-documented, with studies showing that nature can reduce stress, promote healing, and guide us towards personal growth and increased well-being. Many professionals in counselling, healing work, education, and environmental occupations utilize these methods to help others achieve balance and harmony in their lives.
So the next time you feel drawn to nature, take a moment to appreciate the connection you have to the world around you. By reconnecting with nature and using the wisdom and intuition gained, you can create greater harmony and balance in your life.
According to Cohen, Western Civilization is becoming increasingly disconnected from nature due to our indoor lifestyles, resulting in illnesses, anxiety, depression, and attention disorders. Research is being done on this phenomenon, and many people are now focusing on the benefits of nature and natural living. Many people are experiencing distractions, addictions, work pressure, fear, denial, and destructive attitudes. Additionally, illnesses, anxiety, depression, and attention disorders in children are increasing, despite social and economic status. Research has shown that people are becoming more aware of the benefits of nature due to the negative impact of human behavior, social media, and the threat of catastrophic changes on the planet.
In addition to providing us with basic necessities such as shelter, clothing, food, medicine, and fuel, nature also has positive effects on our psychological and molecular well-being, as documented by various individuals and organizations. According to Professor Virginia Lohr, humans have evolved with plants and feel more at ease around them. People who participated in Project Nature Connect Ecopsychology report that reconnecting with nature helped them replace feelings of fear and anxiety with joy, good health, and harmony with life. They believe that being aware of our interconnectedness with nature can help us make informed decisions and promote healing and balance.
Nature-based practices are widely used today, such as Horticulture Therapy in hospitals and care facilities, and the Japanese practice of "Forest Bathing," which involves spending time in designated forest areas to reduce stress and improve physical and psychological well-being. Studies have shown that Forest Bathing can lead to relaxation, lower blood pressure, and enhanced immune function.
Benefits of Interactions with Nature:
-Improved creativity and reasoning
-Increased vitality and energy levels
-Resilience to physical illness
-Decreased hostility and stress
-boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body's Natural Killer (NK) cells
-Reduced blood pressure/Cardio vascular relaxation
-Decreased blood glucose levels in diabetic patients
-Reduced anger, depression and anxiety
-increased energy levels
-improved mood and sleep
See research links and many more BENEFITS here
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