Does nature have anything to do with health? Is just being outdoors good for us in any measurable way?
These questions may seem preposterous, however they can be found in various forms through myths and stories, in philosophy, and, increasingly, in science and modern medicine.
Initially, I began writing this blog, as an informative piece on the scientifically sound benefits of being outdoors. However, I struggled to find articles which explored specific physiological benefits, outside of a few things. One being, health benefits of (safe and minimal) exposure to UVA and UVB rays from the sun (CDC, 2021). Benefits from this can include the production of vitamin D, which in turn is beneficial to a number of processes in the body, including: calcium absorption, and bone growth and development. Another biological benefit of spending time outdoors in nature, is that it lowers blood pressure and cortisol levels (a stress hormone in the body). This generally means that people will feel less anxious, and more calm after having spent time outdoors.
I also came across a study by Li, et al. (2009) which looked at the effects of phytoncide on human natural killer cells, directly relating to our immunity. Phytoncides are antimicrobial organic compounds which are released by plants and trees. These particles protect trees from bacteria and certain fungi. This study looked at blood and urine samples of people after having been exposed to phytoncides periodically for three days. It was found that natural killer cell activity was increased, certain other immune cells concentration increased (ie. perforin, granulysin, etc), the concentration of T cells decreased, and there was a decrease in stress hormone levels (adrenaline and noradrenaline) (Li et al, 2009). These findings indicate that, in the presence of these chemicals released by plants and trees, our immune systems were becoming stronger, effects which were found to last for at least seven days after exposure. The lowered levels of stress hormones demonstrate why most people feel more relaxed and less anxious being in nature.
David Strayer argues that increased screen time has led to more multi-tasking, which overloads the prefrontal cortex of the brain (the region of the brain which is involved in critical thinking and problem solving). Walking outdoors in a natural setting allows the brain to “rest and recharge”. Professor Strayer has measured these effects in various studies. What he has found is that time in nature seems to lower blood pressure, lower blood cortisol levels (a stress hormone in the body), and also improves brain function.
In an article written for Time magazine (2018), Dr. Qing Li describes himself as both a scientist, and an advocate for a form of healing called Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing”. “This is not exercise, or hiking, or jogging,” Li commented. “It is simply being in nature, connecting with it through our senses… Shinrin-yoku is like a bridge. By opening our senses, it bridges the gap between us and the natural world.” Li mentions that the average person in North America spends 95% of their time indoors. Our rift with nature has become a problem.
The Centre by the Sea looks for solutions to this rift. One strategy is “to be outdoors… to enjoy the health benefits of nature”. There’s no doubt that just being outdoors and surrounded by some sort of nature, whether that be in an urban garden, in a forest, at the ocean, or anything in between, generally makes people feel “better”. This is abundantly evident from the second I arrive at the Centre by the Sea. There is something about breathing in fresh, salty, and slightly cooler air in the morning that feels so much better than city air, or even stale air from being trapped in a car for an extended period of time. It’s this vision that pushes us to take breaks from sitting at our computers doing work, to get outside in the garden, work on trails, or even explore the surrounding bike routes for a short diversion.
Outdoor time is something I will greatly miss when I am back in University as a full time student this fall. This focus on nature, and respect for the environment is a concern shared by others. Due to there being such a focus on being outdoors, in nature, and overall respecting the environment here at the Centre by the Sea, it is something we regularly take notice of and discuss. Just last week, we had a guest join us for lunch on our back deck, overlooking the cove and surrounded by forests. Our buildings are situated on top of a hill, providing an expansive view of the cove and beyond that, islands and open waters of the sea.
Our guest, Teresa Newcombe, a yoga instructor with a background in biology, commented that “being in nature is like coming home. It’s our natural place. When we step into a forest or walk along the shore, it’s like we’ve triggered an ancestral memory.” This prompted the remark that we tend to think of nature as “background scenery” rather than as a process that we all participate in. Our food, water, the air we breathe all come from nature. As our group talked, we heard crickets in the field, and birds calling from the nearby trees. Miguel said nature excites the senses. Ogen reminded us that nature is challenging as well as rewarding. For example, when you walk through a forest, you have to pay attention to where you’re stepping. There are hills and turns, sudden drops, fallen obstacles, pools of water, crumbling rocks. As we navigate the landscape, we feel immersed in it. It’s alive and always changing, and demands our attention.
Biologist Edward Wilson said “the human brain evolved in a biocentric world.” The Japanese poet Basho, who was renowned for his travels, mostly long-distance walking, describes the inescapable influence of nature: “There is nothing you can see that is not a flower; there is nothing you can think that is not the moon.
I live in the city and battle with crowds, and noise. We make unusual adjustments. For example, there is a reason why most whitenoise machines are filled with sounds of babbling brooks, rain falling, thunderstorms, and whales – not the sounds of urban life. The best escape of all, is getting out in nature. This summer, after trying to book camping sites, in the midst of the third lockdown, I noticed something else. It seems like everyone had the same idea. They just wanted to get away from their homes, apartments, subdivisions, and urban living in general. They wanted to be outdoors, where they could be mask free, and just enjoy the fresh air after having been locked in their homes, hidden behind masks for months on end.
I was very fortunate to get a last minute camping site booked at Kejimkujik National Park, located about 1.5 hours outside of Halifax. I spent the weekend on the ground, in a tent, in the pouring rain, and I loved every second of it. It felt so good to just be out of the city, surrounded by the sights, smells, and especially sounds of nature. My favourite part of the weekend was hiking and exploring various trails, as well as listening to the sounds of the rain hitting the tent in the middle of the night. I came away from the weekend muddy, wet, and smiling from ear to ear. It seems that everyone has their own way to derive pleasure and enjoyment from being outdoors.
I challenge you to think about ways you get enjoyment from being outdoors, and notice how you feel when you’re surrounded by nature, even if it’s only for a few minutes each day.
References
Florence Williams. The Nature Fix: Why nature makes us happier, healthier, and more
creative. (W.W. Norton: 2017)
Li Q, et al. (2009). Effect of phytonicide from trees on human natural killer cell function Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 22(4): 951-959. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20074458/
Nature vs Science.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314001133_Understanding_Nature
Shifting baseline of nature. https://www.washington.edu/news/2017/11/15/what-counts-as-nature-it-all-%20depends/