Self-Care: How nature can heal during the pandemic

Dear College of Education Community,

According to a growing body of research, a readily available self-care anecdote for the impact of the pandemic is right in front of us! Nature, whether viewing nature, walking in nature, or even watching nature films, can help reduce anxiety, stress, emotional exhaustion, and sleeplessness associated with COVID. According to a recent article from the Greater Good Science Center, there are “ four ways nature can protect your well-being during a pandemic.” Here are their findings below:

1. Nature reduces stress-Perhaps the most robust finding on the psychological benefits of nature is that being in green spaces reduces our stress. Experiments have shown that people who walk in a nature area—a forest or park, for example—feel less stress than those who walk in an urban setting, even when the exercise they’re getting is the same. In fact, some countries have introduced the concept of “forest bathing” to fight the effects of modern urban living.
2. Nature helps us feel restored-Since the pandemic began, many of us are spending a lot more time online in Zoom meetings or Zoom classes. While it’s great to have the technology available for connecting with others and getting work done, it can be exhausting to stare at a screen for so long and try to stay focused. That’s why it can help to give ourselves an attention break by getting outdoors. Recovery from information overload (online or otherwise), sometimes called attention restoration, is one of the main ways that being in a natural or green setting gives our minds a rest.
3. Nature makes us happier and more satisfied with life-If nature experiences decrease stress, restore our depleted brains, and reduce rumination and other symptoms of psychological distress, they should also make us happier. Many past studies—including some of those mentioned above—have found this to be true. In one large study, researchers used smartphones to collect data from more than 20,000 people in real time comparing how they felt at different points during their day and using GPS to determine where they were. The researchers found that, overall, people felt happier when they were outdoors in green or natural spaces compared to urban spaces, regardless of the weather, activity, or who was with them.
4. Nature helps stave off depression, anxiety, and physical complaints-Nature may help us improve our psychological health during COVID for other reasons, too—by staving off depression, anxiety, and physical complaints (like not getting enough sleep). One reason nature might improve our mental health is that it helps us let go of endless thought loops about what’s wrong with the world—what psychologists call “rumination,” which is tied to depression, anxiety, and poor sleep. A recent study found that participants who spent more time interacting with nature in some way—for example, walking outside, biking, gardening, playing games or sports, or hanging out in a park—ruminated less, and in turn experienced more positive feelings and fewer negative feelings.

To read more please go to https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/four_ways_nature_can_protect_your_wellbeing_during_a_pandemic

For a list of many self-care options, please see our COE self-care website for resources for faculty, staff, students, and the community at: 

https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/self-care

Time to take a walk and experience the healing effects of nature!

Warmly,

Shari