Who knew there was a Finnish Forest Research Institute? Okay, I mean, who in America knew such an institute existed. I sure didn’t.
Yet this research institute exists and they are not the only scientists currently looking at the interaction between nature and human health.
Guess what they have determined? NATURE HEALS by “reducing stress, boosting immunity and calming aggressiveness.” Yay!
Why does this matter?
Have you tried to manage your blood glucose during periods of stress? It gets incredibly difficult, which in turn adds stress, which in turn raises blood glucose… ah, yet another vicious cycle in our lives.
Even if you aren’t living with diabetes, have you noticed how much better you feel after you spend an hour outside around some green trees?
Given that all research points to nature helping us humans to fight stress, boost our immune systems, and even lower our blood pressure, I yet again suggest we all GET OUTSIDE for some great healing through outdoor activities.
Check it out:
- go for a hike
- walk with your dog
- walk with your neighbor’s dog
- walk with your neighbor
- have a picnic in the park
- climb a tree
- stop at a vista point and get out of your car
- walk around for 20 minutes after dinner at a restaurant
- volunteer at a neighborhood road race
- go camping!
- throw a Frisbee
- walk through the ritzy part of the neighborhood and see if you can get some good ideas for your yard
- hop on a bike and see where you end up (remember to bring glucose for this one in particular)
- get a little dirty
- plant some flowers
- plant some vegetables
- meet some new neighbors
- say hello to a stranger
Spend just a moment when you’re outside to reflect on how long those trees have been growing, and how much they’ve seen and survived (not to mention how little the trees care about all of the things we do every day). It can be pretty humbling!
Nature can give all of us some much-needed perspective about the world.
Maybe that’s the thing we’ve all been missing.
Yeah, Robbie. No matter what is going on, get outside for an hour and do something positive for yourself!
very nice. thanks for the inspiration!
YES! This is so true. I’ve been saying this for years. I’m a countryside girl at heart even though we live in a city now. We get the kids out to parks and nature reserves as much as possible. It does all of us good!