Natures Effect on Man
“Sustainable happiness is… found in our relationship with place,” Richard Louv said in The Nature Principle.
People are happiest when they are in nature. Being outside benefits us greatly; not only to our physical health, but to our mental health too. While being in nature has many positive effects for humans, its natural cruelty is undeniable.
Nature affects our lives in many positive ways. According to the University of Minnesota, being outdoors reduces anxiety, fear, and stress. It also increases physical health, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. Additionally, many people love to exercise outdoors, whether it be walking, running, swimming, biking, rock climbing, skiing/snowboarding, surfing, etc. Exercising betters physical health and is proven to boost serotonin levels and relieve stress. Human’s innate attraction to nature makes sense.
“There’s been research that's been done on some of the microbes you pick up, especially if you're in different ecosystems, that are actually good for you,” Mr. Ryan Walters, SJHS psychology teacher, said.
The more diverse of outdoor experiences, whether it be in the woods, or out in a grassy area, is also good for your overall health, Mr. Walters also expressed.
A study in 2019, published to gardeningknowhow.com, showed microbes in soil, promoting higher cytokine levels, which increases serotonin levels, making us happier.
Another study conducted by the University of Wollongong in Australia, linked urban trees to increasing one's mental and general health. In this study, it was found that people who were able to enjoy green spaces in urban settings showed physiological and psychological benefits. In neighborhoods with at least thirty percent tree canopy coverage, residents showed significant reductions in stress levels, blood pressure, and an increase in overall health. In urban green spaces with just grass did not show the same benefits.
Nature can also affect our lives in negative ways. One aspect of nature, for many in temperate climates, is the seasons. As seasons change, so do some people’s moods. A change of routine and lack of sunlight attributes to these changes.
“It kind of depends where you live. If you live in a colder area, there is a lot of people who suffer from Seasonal Depressive Disorder. It’s called the ‘winter blues’ where they attribute mostly to a lack of sunlight. It often happens in Northern areas like Michigan or Alaska or Canada. In the winter, you start to feel depressed because of a lack of sunlight,” Mr. Walters said.
Additional causes of Seasonal Depressive Disorder, according to the Cleveland Clinic include: biological clock change, brain chemical imbalance, vitamin D deficiency, melatonin boost, and negative thoughts. These are due to our lack of natural sunlight.
There are many ways to fight this seasonal stress. According to Intermountain Healthcare, when you’re stressed, you should go outside. One thing that might help is going on walks, even if the sun is not out, being outdoors is still enjoyable to some. Being outside will also give the body the Vitamin D it needs. It also helps pack in endorphins, and strengthens the immune system.
Another negative effect nature has on us are natural disasters, and while they have been around forever, climate change and global warming have worsened the severity. Natural disasters affect people physically, mentally, and emotionally, while damaging property, leaving people homeless, destroying infrastructure, causing people to develop stress disorders, and/or depression, according to sciencing.com.
A report by the United Nations' weather agency, the World Meteorological Organization, states disasters are hitting 5 times more often and leaving seven times more damage than they did in the 1970s. Climate change has prolonged wildfire and hurricane seasons, along with increasing droughts, more intense storms, and expanding oceans: causing erosion, etc.
As reported by Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, the warming of temperatures creates a dryer climate, which allows for fires to thrive, increasing wildfire risks and creating longer wildfire seasons. While increased heat and energy warms the planet, oceans are also greatly affected. Ice melts, sea levels rise–causing erosion to occur, marine heat waves happen, and ocean acidification takes place, according to United Nations-Climate Action.
Who would have thought, running around barefoot and digging in the dirt would be so beneficial to our overall health and happiness. While nature can give, it certainly can take away at the same time. We need to remember to keep taking care of the Earth, so it will keep taking care of us.