Remember the last time you went for a walk in the woods or got your hands dirty gardening? How did it make you feel? Intuitively, we know it’s good for us. Research studies also confirm that spending time in nature positively affects our physical, emotional and cognitive well-being.
Nature improves cognitive function.
As far back as the 1970s, a U.S. Forest Service study suggested that contact with nature can help us recover from mental fatigue and restore attention. If you’re feeling the mind-numbing effects of digital overload — that constant stream of news, ads and people clamoring for attention — put down your iPad and go for a walk in the park.
Henry David Thoreau was famous for his daily walks. In a speech at Thoreau’s funeral, Ralph Waldo Emerson described how the length of Thoreau’s walk reflected the length of his writing. If shut up in the house, he didn’t write at all. Einstein was another devoted walker. He used to take daily walks in the woods on the Princeton campus and his cognitive function was among the best of anyone who ever lived.
Since the original Forest Service study, researchers have found that a “nature break” also helps restore the brain’s ability to process information. In a 2008 study in Ann Arbor, Michigan, participants were given a tough memory test, then assigned to take a 50-minute walk through either the Ann Arbor Arboretum or downtown Ann Arbor. When the participants returned to the lab and took the test again, the arboretum group scored significantly higher. So, if you’re struggling to stay focused on a task or simply stuck on a crossword, head outside. The fresh air and sunshine may be all you need to solve what’s puzzling you.
Nature reduces stress and boosts immunity.
In the 1980s, the technological revolution was in full swing in Japan. While the adoption of robotics and semiconductors energized the economy, it left Japanese workers stressed and burned out. Not surprisingly, the concept of “forest bathing” emerged in Japan at the same time. The Japanese government began encouraging shinrin-roku — taking in the forest air — to help workers de-stress.
A study of 260 people at 24 sites across Japan found that people who gazed on forest scenery for 20 minutes experienced a 13.4 percent reduction in salivary cortisol, a stress hormone, compared to people in urban settings. And physically getting out in nature works even better to lower stress and boost immunity.
Plants emit airborne chemicals called phytoncides to protect them from rotting and insects. Interestingly, these chemicals also help protect humans by lowering cortisol, pulse rate and blood pressure. In fact, studies suggest these chemicals help fight viruses and cancer by increasing the number and activity of immune cells called natural killer (NK) cells. In a 2007 study in Japan, men who took two-hour walks in a forest over two days had a 50 percent spike in levels of NK cells
But don’t feel like you have to go for a two-hour walk in the woods to benefit from nature. Consider joining an outdoor exercise class. Play golf. Or grab a book and find a shady tree to sit under. Any time spent outdoors where you have access to green space is good for your health.
Nature nurtures well-being in the garden.
Scientists have long known that a little dirt can be good for you. In the 1970s, scientists identified mycobacterium vaccae, a bacterium in garden soil that has an anti-inflammatory effect on our brains, lowering stress and improving immune response. It may explain why people who grow up on farms have lower rates of Crohn’s disease, asthma and allergies.
Gardening also exposes your body to sunlight, which benefits your immune system, helps build strong bones and improves quality of sleep. Gardening may even lower your risk of dementia. A 16-year study of older adults in Australia showed that daily gardening reduced the risk of developing dementia by 36 percent.
See how our garden grows.
The resident gardens at Fox Hill Village are a great place to dig in the dirt and lift your mood. Raised beds make gardening easier and fellow gardeners are happy to help if needed. Colorful flowers, fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables are nourishment for body and soul.
Get into outdoor living at Fox Hill Village.
Getting into nature is as easy as stepping outside at Fox Hill Village. Our 110-acre campus includes paved walking paths that immerse you in serene woodlands and landscaped gardens — ideal for walks with your two- and four-legged friends. For longer hikes, you can explore the adjacent Lowell Woods Trail that takes you into a protected forest. It’s great for birdwatching or a rejuvenating “forest bath.”
When the weather’s nice, we also enjoy gathering on our patio for barbecues or an al fresco lunch. Fresh air, beautiful scenery and good company never fail to enhance the experience.
To learn more about outdoor living at Fox Hill Village, visit the outdoor living page on this website. Better yet, schedule a personal tour and see for yourself. Simply call us at 781.329.4433 or use our contact form.