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Altona CAN! Getting into nature can boost your mental health

 

Dealing with a global pandemic has been a significant strain on the mental health of many 

Canadians. So much change in such a short time has left us reeling, but a new study suggests 

that time in nature may help.

The study took a look at the effect of daily walks in nature on the mental health of the 

participants. What they found was that they experienced a sense of wonder about the world 

around them. Experiencing awe and wonder might sound nice, but scientists are discovering 

just how powerful this is.

Awe "is an interesting emotion, because it promotes what we call a 'small self,'" said lead 

author Virginia Sturm, an associate professor in the departments of neurology as well as 

psychiatry and behavioural sciences at the University of California. 

"What that means is that when you feel awe, you feel smaller in relation to the larger world and

 the universe around us … yet more connected," she said. All of the problems we perceive to 

be "really overwhelming, when we take a step back and look at [them] in this bigger perspective, 

they seem kind of smaller."

If regular time spent outdoors can do all of that, it’s no wonder that in some countries doctors  

actually prescribe time in the forest for the medicinal benefits. 

Nature is always putting on a show for us, especially here where we have 4 distinct seasons. 

We don’t need to take long trips to exotic locations to experience the awe and wonder of 

nature. Just getting outside and being observant to the sky, the birds or the trees is all that is 

required. For those that find it difficult to get outdoors, nature shows on TV can often bring out 

the same feelings. 

Try it out for yourself. I know my daily walking routine is extremely effective in boosting my 

mood and helping me to slow down and remember what’s important. There’s something 

healing about being under the sky and not under a roof that puts everything into perspective. 

Get outside a bit everyday and see for yourself if your don’t problems shrink just a little. 

https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Femo0000876 Big smile, small self: Awe 

walks promote prosocial positive emotions in older adults.


Written by  Connie Heppner Meuller for ACAN

ACAN seeks to educate and inspire sustainable practices in our community.

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