At the turn of the century, before our lives were transformed by digitalisation and urbanisation, ancient philosophers were already preaching the virtues of being in harmony with Nature. For them, spending time outdoors was not just a form of relaxation, but a key element of the good life. The Stoics taught that understanding Nature was the path to wisdom, while Epicurus argued that simplicity and taking pleasure in small things, such as the warmth of the sun or the sound of trees, led to happiness.

In the 19th century, Henry David Thoreau went even further in his essay 'Walking', proclaiming that walking through woods and fields was almost a sacred ritual, an opportunity to rediscover our primitive roots and free ourselves from the shackles of society. For Thoreau, walking was a meditation in movement, an act of freedom and a conscious, almost mystical union with Nature.

Edmund Husserl, 20th century philosopher, brought a phenomenological perspective to the conversation, encouraging us to experience the world around us directly. For Husserl, looking at a tree is not just a visual activity, but a deep immersion in the 'phenomenon of the tree', in its essence, which is only revealed in the present moment, free of our preconceptions and associations.

Putting all these thoughts together, it is worth considering why, in a time when digital technology dominates our senses and our daily lives, spending time outdoors is so crucial to our health. Both physical and mental. What did such ancients feel intuitively, and are we rediscovering today, with the help of science?

Greenery as essential medicine

Nature is our ally in the pursuit of health and harmony. It sounds trivial, but scientists from all over the world have been studying this phenomenon in depth. Their findings shed light on how time spent in Nature affects our lives. Taking a walk in the woods, reflecting on a riverbank or playing in a city park - these activities, although they seem mundane, have a measurable impact on our psyche and body.

From a study published in 2015 by Bratman, G. N. and colleagues1 shows that just 50 minutes of walking among trees can significantly reduce anxiety and the tendency to worry that often accompanies us in the hustle and bustle of urban life. What's more, walking among Nature improved working memory, which is crucial for tasks requiring reasoning and reading comprehension. Nature therefore not only subtracts - lowering negative feelings - but also adds, protecting our positive moods and supporting cognitive processes.

Just as important as mental health are Nature's benefits to our physical wellbeing. Research conducted by Norwich Medical School2 show how lowering heart rate and blood pressure in a natural setting leads to a calmer cardiovascular system. In addition, researchers have noted lower levels of stress hormones, which translates into our overall health. The long-term benefits of such a condition, include a reduced risk of lifestyle diseases such as type II diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.

And finally, speaking of physical and mental wellbeing, it is impossible not to mention sleep. This elusive state, essential for our good functioning, also seems to be influenced by the greenery around us. A study conducted in Australia, by Astell-Burt, Feng and Kolt3 on the Australian population, sheds light on the relationship between time spent in parks and the quality of our night-time rest.

Experiments highlight the positive effects of parks and other green spaces on psychological and physiological wellbeing, suggesting that greener environments may counteract short sleep times (less than six hours).

Given the serious consequences of insufficient sleep, such as obesity and chronic illness, understanding the factors that improve sleep quality is key. The study found that those living in greener neighbourhoods had a reduced risk of short sleeps. Those who lived in areas where greenery accounted for 80% or more of the environment were significantly less likely to sleep less than six hours or between six and seven hours.

Importantly, the link between green space and the desired 8-hour sleep was not fully explained by reduced psychological stress or increased physical activity, suggesting the unique, as yet undiscovered benefits of nature's calming effect on sleep.

Disconnect

Away from screens and the virtual world, we can also discover our creative abilities. Researchers have observed that a four-day 'unplugging' and immersion in nature can boost our creative and problem-solving abilities by an impressive 50%.4 However, this is not just the result of being cut off from digital stimuli, but also the specific effect of the natural environment on our brain.

It is also worth noting that our internal energy5 can be enhanced by interactions with nature. Regardless of the level of physical activity and social contact, even a short walk in a green environment has the ability to recharge our internal batteries.

Interestingly, Nature also influences the formation of social bonds. Green spaces foster meetings, conversations and shared activities, thus becoming the heart of the community. Research shows,6 that parks or green squares are visited more often and are places where local communities like to spend time.

The health benefits of spending time among the trees also manifest themselves at an immunological level. Japanese tradition "Shinrinyoku"or forest bathing, turned out to be not only a beautiful ritual, but also a practice that strengthens our natural defence mechanisms. Indeed, a few hours in the forest is enough to increase the activity of the basic cells of the immune system, which are an important element in the fight against infections and cancer cells.7

The impact of time spent outside on our eyes cannot be overlooked either. Research indicates,8 That children and young people who spend more time outdoors are less likely to suffer from myopia. The balance between desk work and outdoor activity is proving to be crucial for the health of our eyes.Ultimately, Nature is also proving to be an invaluable source of mental clarity, affecting our ability to concentrate and focus.[9] Both walking through natural landscapes and just looking at them improves our ability to concentrate and our mental clarity.

How to take advantage of this?

Given the results of the aforementioned studies (and these are just some of them), there is no denying that the benefits of spending time in Nature are significant. Greater contact with greenery really can 'change our lives' and the way we function on a daily basis. In the face of all this, however, the question arises: how can we more effectively weave its presence into our daily lives? After all, it is easier to read and harder to put into practice. The key is to create habits, small steps that gradually open us up to daily contact with nature.

You can start with simple changes: a short morning or evening walk in the nearest park, moments of respite in the garden, or even growing plants at home or in the workplace. For those who spend most of their day indoors, outdoor breaks can become an opportunity to breathe more deeply and soothe the senses. Weekends and free time should be used for short trips, longer hikes, bike rides or picnics, which are not only inclusive but also restorative.

Let's pay attention to green routes to work or school. Let's choose paths through parks or tree-lined avenues instead of crowded urban thoroughfares. When forced to stay indoors, let's open the windows, letting in birdsong and the sounds of Nature, and position our desks so we can look out at the greenery. Thoughtful architecture in office buildings and flats, which incorporates more natural light and plants, can also help us get in touch with Nature on a daily basis.

Undoubtedly, the digital age has offered us unlimited access to knowledge and entertainment, but it has also taken us somewhat away from our roots. So it is time to rediscover the joy of direct contact with nature. Let technology serve us as a tool for planning and finding new green corners, rather than as a reason to neglect our original natural environment.

By appreciating the richness that Nature offers, we can shape our lives with greater awareness to enjoy its benefits. May each day, therefore, be an opportunity to find balance and peace, and may the greenery around us be a source of constant energy and health.

  1.  The benefits of nature experience: Improved affect and cognition, Landscape and Urban Planning (2015)
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  2.  The health benefits of the great outdoors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and health outcomes, Environmental Research (2018)
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  3. Does access to neighbourhood green space promote a healthy duration of sleep? Novel findings from a cross-sectional study of 259,319 Australians, BMJ Open (2013)
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  4. Creativity in the Wild: Improving Creative Reasoning through Immersion in Natural Settings, PLoS One (2012) ↩︎
  5. Vitalizing effects of being outdoors and in nature, Journal of Environmental Psychology (2010) ↩︎
  6. The Fruit of Urban Nature: Vital Neighbourhood Spaces, Environment and Behavior (2004) ↩︎
  7. Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function, Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine (2010) ↩︎
  8.  Outdoor Activity Reduces the Prevalence of Myopia in Children, Ophthalmology (2008) ↩︎