{"id":4771,"date":"2021-02-17T07:12:14","date_gmt":"2021-02-17T07:12:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/?p=4771"},"modified":"2023-07-31T13:31:38","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T13:31:38","slug":"benefits-of-walking-in-nature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/benefits-of-walking-in-nature\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Benefits of Walking in Nature"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The trees swayed gently in the breeze, casting long shadows in the afternoon sun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Birds busied themselves in the summer weather. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A river gurgled nearby, a hypnotic accompaniment to my walk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the scenes and sounds of nature, all was quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I took a deep breath of clean air, relieved to be back in the UK. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just prior, I’d been living in one of the most populous cities in the world, stressed and overwhelmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

China<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Seeking new opportunities two years before, I’d accepted a job in China. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having previously lived in Vietnam, I was drawn to the prospect of returning to Asia, and after reading Wild Swans<\/a>, it posed a fascinating prospect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fast becoming the dominant global power, I was intrigued to experience the country before its inevitable social and economic development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experiencing such a foreign culture was both informative and unforgettable, but the pressure was beginning to tell. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So I met my then-girlfriend and suggested we quit our jobs before embarking on a new chapter…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[A motorcycle trip around Europe – a story for another time!]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pollution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sure, I found my work stressful – but the main reason for wanting out were the environmental conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a pollution scale<\/a> where anything above 301 is considered hazardous, Beijing has been known to reach 761. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such conditions present as mist, enveloping the city and drastically limiting visibility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each time you leave your air-filtered apartment, a scratchy throat, runny nose and itchy eyes are almost bound to ensue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And although I’d purchased a motorbike to explore the timeless Chinese villages that pepper the countryside, it wasn’t enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Living in a concrete jungle, while excellent for socializing, was becoming claustrophobic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had to escape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ecopsychology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

And so it was that my first walk in the woods upon returning home was so refreshing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simply being able to breathe without consuming a lungful of soot was liberating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While we were planning our imminent European motorcycle adventure, exercising in the woods became a regular routine and a stark reminder of the benefits of walking in nature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s little wonder that the topic is becoming increasingly researched and reported, with the continued development of fields like Ecopsychology<\/a>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Ecopsychology is an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinarity field that focuses on the synthesis of ecology and psychology and the promotion of sustainability It is distinguished from conventional psychology as it focuses on studying the emotional bond between humans and the earth.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, terms like Forest Bathing, developed from the Japanese approach of shinrin yoku, have almost become mainstream<\/a>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“This Japanese practice is a process of relaxation; known in Japan as shinrin yoku. The simple method of being calm and quiet amongst the trees, observing nature around you whilst breathing deeply can help both adults and children de-stress and boost health and wellbeing in a natural way.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The benefits of walking in nature<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Physical health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

During my time in China, I developed an autoimmune issue and getting healthy was high on the agenda. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The health benefits of strolling in the great outdoors seem self-evident and almost implicit in the activity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, the research regarding such effects is promising, with a study of 20,000 people<\/a> from the University of Exeter introducing the topic as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“A growing body of epidemiological evidence indicates that greater exposure to, or \u2018contact with\u2019, natural environments (such as parks, woodlands and beaches) is associated with better health and well-being, at least among populations in high income, largely urbanised, societies. While the quantity and quality of evidence varies across outcomes, living in greener urban areas is associated with lower probabilities of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, asthma hospitalisation, mental distress, and ultimately mortality, among adults; and lower risks of obesity and myopia in children. Greater quantities of neighbourhood nature are also associated with better self-reported health, and subjective well-being in adults, and improved birth outcomes, and cognitive development, in children.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In their study, the team discovered that,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“People who spent two hours a week in green spaces \u2014 local parks or other natural environments, either all at once or spaced over several visits \u2014 were substantially more likely to report good health and psychological well-being than those who don\u2019t. Two hours was a hard boundary: The study, published last June, showed there were no benefits for people who didn\u2019t meet that threshold.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Mental health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While the subjective benefits of walking in nature are often apparent, psychiatric unit researchers<\/a> offer supporting evidence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n