The healing power of nature

A famous study, published in the journal Science, demonstrated that nature can promote healing. Researchers found that people in hospital beds who looked onto trees had shorter stays and took fewer painkillers than those who didn’t. Just looking at nature influenced their health, triggering physiological changes in their bodies.

It turns out that not only the sight of the natural world, but also its smell, sound, and feel slows our breathing and heart rates and lowers our blood pressure and adrenaline. In other words, its effects are calming. Apparently, when out in nature, we breathe in volatile molecules released from plants. The molecules enter our bloodstream and interact with biochemical pathways, triggering beneficial metabolic processes.

Sounds, like birdsong, the wind rustling leaves, and the trickling of a stream have similar benefits. Researchers found that people who were awake during surgery experienced much lower stress levels when listening to such natural sounds than when listening to other types of sounds.  

Japanese researchers have studied the effects of “forest bathing” (walking in the woods) and have found that this activity elevates the walkers' Natural Killer (NK) cells. (Natural Killer cells are white blood cells that fight tumors and infections in your body.) The researchers theorize that inhaling the aerosols emitted from the forest are responsible for the effect. A subsequent study, in which essential oils from cedars were emitted in a hotel room where people slept, also caused a significant spike in NK cells. 

I have a few diffusers in my house that emit the fragrance of fir trees. I like the way they smell. Until now, it never occurred to me that they were beneficial to my health. They’re expensive, but maybe worth it!

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