We all know that being in nature is good for our health and mental wellbeing. But how does its magic work? For example, how do we explain research showing that patients who had gallbladder surgery and had a green view from their hospital windows spent less time in nature afterwards? They recovered three times faster and required far fewer painkillers than those simply staring out of a brick wall.?
It was this mystery that led botanist Kathy Willis on her latest mission. Former scientific director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, and now professor of biodiversity at St Edmund Hall, Oxford University, she says the discovery has changed her life. In her new book, Good NatureIn this article, she explores a growing body of research that illuminates what happens to our brains and bodies when we connect with nature. Though we tend to think of ourselves as a visual species, it turns out the benefits we derive from our other senses — smell, hearing, touch, and the mysterious “hidden senses” — are just as impressive, and sometimes even more so. There's still much to discover, but as she says, New ScientistWe have already learned many things that can improve our lives.
Kate Douglas: What happens when you observe nature?
Kathy Willis: It induces different pathways in our body. Lowers heart rate and blood pressure, Decreased stress hormones such as adrenaline And our Brainwave activity There is an increase in areas that indicate we are in a calmer, more clear minded state.
Are there any “natural” colors we should look for?
Looking at physiological indicators of calmness, Green and white leavesand Yellow or white flowers…
Source: www.newscientist.com
