Who needs anxiety meds, when there's nature?
Last week, I cohosted a Tiny Habits room on Clubhouse that focused on connecting with nature. Nature has always been my thing, as I was a kid who spent all after-school daylight hours outside.
The topic prompted me to ask one of my mentors, a wise 82-year old Chinese woman, how she connects with nature.
“I smile with plants,” she said, her face beaming.
She turned towards the window and pointed outside to an oak tree’s light green buds and a Stewartia’s leaves about to burst open.
“There’s just so much to see,” she exclaimed.
Her sense of wonder is what experts—including psychologist, Peter Paul van Kempen who cohosted the Tiny Habits room—describe as the benefits of an optimal connection with nature.
Van Kempen says studies show that optimal connection with nature benefits wellbeing and health as well as increases productivity, creativity, and focus. Also, it lowers the effects of trauma, while decreasing depression and anxiety. It even increases empathy!
Furthermore, people who have a strong connection with nature are more likely to protect it.
Unfortunately, research is showing a growing disconnection with nature. Most people live in cities and are increasingly glued to technology.
How can we go from a suboptimal to an optimal connection with nature?
One habit that behavior scientist at Stanford University BJ Fogg shared with us was the following:
“When I feel overwhelmed (anchor), I go outside and stick my feet in the stream (behavior) and smile (celebration).
Other behavior ideas people shared:
· Look at greenery
· Cuddle your dog
· Take dog for a walk
· Listen to bird sounds
· Look at a tree
· Look at a flower
· Walk barefoot
· Do some forest bathing
· Step outside and breathe deeply
· Look at a bird sitting on a bush
· Take a picture of a beautiful nature scene and send to someone you care about.
How do you connect with nature? I invite you to share your ways of connecting with nature.