I do my best to focus on the positives of every season but after a British winter I think, as a nation, we breathe a collective sigh of relief when we reach April. Spring brings fresh hope and renewed energy with the promise of warmer, brighter, lighter and longer days and raises our spirits. The colour green represents growth and new beginnings, it evokes feelings of refreshment and peace, rest and security and helps to diffuse anxiety and invite harmony. But why? And how can we use this to our advantage?
Scientific studies have proven how the human species benefits from a closeness to nature. Our need to be in touch with the natural world is imprinted in our DNA and can be tracked back to our ancestors who searched for fertile land to cultivate food for survival.
The idea of forest school for our children is a movement which originated in Scandinavia where the culture is focused on ‘friluftsliv’ - to embrace the outdoors in recognition of all the benefits, including enhanced learning and greater productivity.
Forest bathing originates from the Japanese concept of Shinrin Yoku and is now being prescribed by some GPs in certain areas of the UK.
When you press pause on the pressures and worries of the hectic lives we all lead and instead are able to be comfortably still in the moment - you can relax and allow your senses to tune into nature. This creates an opportunity to connect to your parasympathetic nervous system which promotes rest and digest. This sense of calm affects both your body and mind - reducing heart rate, stress hormones and blood pressure.
‘Biophilia’ is a greek word in origin and means a love of life or living things. Biophilic design has inspired architects to utilise natural materials in our modern man-made world to bring the outside inside. Dr Craig Knight from Exeter University found that just one plant per square meter of office space substantially improved employee performance on memory retention. Roger Ulrich’s research shows that patients recovered from major surgery more quickly and with less pain medication required if they had a view of a natural landscape (a window or a picture).
Take time to enjoy being (or looking) outside this month and notice the difference to your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Invest in some green therapy,
Katherine.
BA (Hons), DipSFH. Reg AfSFH, CNHC, NCP
