Everyone has aspects of their life that stress them out. Whether your stress level is tangible or intangible as a generalized feeling of unease, spending a few minutes in nature will help you reclaim your center.
Studies show that simply viewing photos of nature scenes has a measurable impact on stress: reducing anxiety, lowering blood pressure and decreasing muscle tension.
Getting outside and even just looking at nature can produce measurable health benefits.
Nature even helps with physical pain. In fact, one study followed patients after surgery. Half had a view of a tree outside their hospital rooms and half viewed a wall from their hospital bed. The patients viewing the tree had fewer negative side effects, requested less pain medication and left the hospital sooner than the patients who could only see a wall.
Lucky for us, nature works in simple ways. Take a walk or sit outside and you will feel nature’s benefits. When you allow yourself to experience the abundant smells, colors and sounds of nature, you leave the experience feeling better. It’s that simple!
A short nature walk can help ward off depression and stress.
Spending time outside — even five minutes — is good for you. DuPage forest preserves offer 26,000 acres and 145 miles of trails for you to explore.
Sitting in a natural area for just five minutes can make you feel more energetic and less stressed or depressed. It’s a simple prescription that addictive in a good way. The better you feel, the more your brain will want you to get back out there again and again.
We’ve even got programs to help motivate you to get outside and de-stress. Sign up for one, or two or three!
The scents, sounds and surrounds seem to interact on a molecular level with people, changing blood pressure levels, raising beneficial cell activity, and improving mental health. So join us for one or for all! We’d love to experience the healing benefits of nature with you!
Fresh air can benefit one's mental and physical health.
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
