Nature Connection and Anxiety
14th May 2023
Tomorrow (May 15th 2023) is the start of Mental Health Awareness Week across the UK. Mental Health Awareness Week seeks to promote the message of good mental health for all and the theme for this year is ‘Anxiety’. This also coincides with Green Health Week here in Scotland.
A Rose growing from a crack in concrete
The Rose That Grew From Concrete
Did you hear about the rose that grew
from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature's law is wrong it
learned to walk without having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams,
it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else ever cared.
Tupac Shakur
Even before the pandemic, we were facing a mental health crisis in which almost 15% of the world population were estimated to be experiencing affective mental health problems such as anxiety or depression. The pandemic only exacerbated these challenges and brought about a greater need for effective responses to mental health problems. One potential solution that has gained attention is the idea of (re)connecting with nature. This became even more important during the pandemic as people became more concerned about their wellbeing and started to rethink their relationship with the natural environment. As a result of this there is a growing interest in learning about how humans can interact with nature and better utilise green spaces for inner growth and reflection. Focus on slowing down and taking time to appreciate nature like this can have lasting benefits for mental and physical health.
Conversely, there is also increasing evidence that disconnection from nature, technostress and our modern lifestyles are contributing to rising anxiety levels. According to Professor Eleonora Gullone in her paper ‘The Biophilia Hypothesis and Life in the 21st Century’, “We go on the assumption that the human species has an unlimited capacity to adapt to the environment, no matter how far removed it is from that in which we evolved.” But increasingly the evidence suggest that humans are not actually adapting well, and that modern living results in our sympathetic nervous system (which controls the well-known ‘fight or flight’ response) being on constant high alert. This increased stress leads to physical problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease, as well as depression and anxiety.
For over 99% of human existence, we have spent most of our time living and working in the natural environment. Most of our physiological functions have evolved in, and designed for, this kind of natural environment. It is only in the last couple of hundred years, since the Industrial Revolution, that we have become predominantly urban dwellers. However, many people believe that the human race has not adapted fast enough to keep up, and as a result, many people find that urban living puts them in a permanent state of stress.
The autonomic nervous system functions to regulate the human body's unconscious actions and comprises the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system directs the body's rapid involuntary response to dangerous or stressful situations. A flash flood of hormones boosts the body's alertness and heart rate, sending extra blood to the muscles and pumping adrenaline around the body. The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for intense physical activity and is often referred to as the ‘Fight or Flight’ response. The parasympathetic nervous system has almost the exact opposite effect and relaxes the body and inhibits or slows many high energy functions, and sometimes referred to as the ‘Rest and Digest’ response.
Fight or Flight
When we are under artificial lighting, sitting in a traffic jam, working long hours or experiencing ‘technostress’ (the negative psychological link between people and the introduction of new technologies), the constant bombardment of stimuli activates the ‘fight or flight’ response means that our bodies often react to these stresses as if they are potentially life-threatening, even when they are not. This is because the sympathetic nervous system is not only triggered by physically dangerous situations (coming face-to-face with a Sabre-Tooth Tiger) but also by emotionally dangerous situations such as rush hour traffic, demanding jobs and bosses and social media.
Rest and Digest
The Parasympathetic Nervous System regulates the functioning of the body that allows it to rest and digest. It is in this restored state of calm during the body performs various tasks of repair. The available evidence shows that the more time that you spend in nature, the more the rest and digest function is activated.
The Impact of Anxiety on Mental Health
The theme or topic of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week here in the UK is ‘Anxiety’.
Mental health is an essential aspect of our overall well-being that influences how we think, feel, and act. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions, affecting millions of people worldwide. Anxiety causes individuals to feel worried, nervous, or fearful about situations, events, or circumstances, and can lead to physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, and trembling as well as psychological discomfort. Anxiety can be mild or severe, and it can significantly impact a person's quality of life. Anxiety can often lead to, or contribute to other mental health conditions such as depression. It can be triggered by various factors, including stress, trauma, and genetics, but it can also be influenced by environmental factors, such as a lack of connection with nature.
Nature connection refers to the relationship between people and the natural environment and it has been observed that a connection with nature can significantly improve mental health and reduce the symptoms of anxiety.
Nature Connection and Mental Health
Research has shown that nature connection can have a positive impact on mental health. Exposure to nature can improve mood, reduce stress, and improve cognitive function. Nature connection has also been shown to be an effective tool in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
Spending time in nature has been shown to increase feelings of calm and relaxation, reduce negative thoughts and feelings, and increase positive emotions such as joy and awe. Nature connection can also improve the functioning of the immune system, reduce inflammation, and improve overall physical health.
Nature Connection Activities and Anxiety
Studies have shown that nature-connection can significantly reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Exposure to nature can help reduce stress and anxiety, increase feelings of calm and relaxation, and improve overall well-being.
One study conducted by researchers at Stanford University found that a 90-minute walk in nature could reduce activity in the part of the brain that is associated with anxiety and depression. Another study found that spending time in nature could reduce symptoms of anxiety in people with depression.
A recent study on the positive effects of Forest Bathing found that:
“Forest Bathing causes a significant impact on improving mood, regulating anxiety, projecting a feeling of having more energy and for counteracting ‘negative’ symptomatology. 95% of participants saw a positive impact on their mood.”
Nature connection activities including gardening, hiking, and wilderness therapy can also be used to complement other forms of treatment for anxiety disorders.
Final Thoughts
Nature connection can have a significant impact on mental health, especially in reducing the symptoms of anxiety. Individuals who struggle with anxiety should consider spending time in nature as a complementary tool to improve their overall well-being. Nature connection can be as simple as taking a walk in the park, spending time gardening, or hiking in the woods. By incorporating nature into our daily lives, we can improve our mental health and well-being.
