3 Life-Changing Benefits of Nature You Can’t Afford to Miss
Whether we’re in our homes, in our cars, or in our offices, we spend most of our days removed from nature—and it’s not good for us.
What Nature Does for Your Mind
Taking a break from the busyness of life to engage with nature, even for a few minutes, can bring big positive effects for our mental stamina and cognitive performance.
In one study, people performing memory and attention tests upped their scores by 20 percent after walking through an arboretum. Walking down a busy street, by comparison, offered no such benefit.
The time doesn’t have to be long. Short “micro-breaks” with nature, even just looking at pictures, has discernible benefits for our minds.
But long, immersive stretches in nature offer big benefits for our creativity and problem-solving skills. After spending four days in the wild, disconnected from any sort of digital technology, students performed 50 percent better on a problem-solving test. “Our results demonstrate that there is a cognitive advantage to be realized if we spend time immersed in a natural setting,” said researchers.
What Nature Does for Your Body
Spending time in nature is a great way to find physical rejuvenation. I always feel relaxed when I’m unplugged and outdoors.
It turns out the reason is that nature is a stress killer, which offers a cascade of other benefits, including:
- Rejuvenated physical energy
- Faster physical recovery
- Reduced anxiety
- Reduced muscle tension
- Decreased stress hormones
- Heightened immunity
- Lower heart rate
- Decreased blood pressure
- Better cholesterol
Many of these benefits rebound to our mental health, of course, forming a virtuous circle.
Vegan Berry Crunch Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped kale or baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of your choice)
- 1½ cups frozen mixed berries
- ½ frozen banana (Yes, you can use a regular banana, but then you may have to add some ice to your smoothie bowl.)
- 1-2 teaspoons light agave (depending on how sweet you like things) Suggested Toppings:
- ½ banana, sliced
- ¼ cup blueberries
- 2-3 strawberries, sliced
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons chopped almonds
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut shavings, raw or toasted
- ¼ cup granola of your choice
Instructions
- Place the kale or spinach, chia seeds, and milk in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. (This will ensure that you don’t have any gross, chewy greens in your smoothie bowl.)
- Add the frozen mixed berries, banana and agave to the blender.
- Puree, scraping down the sides of the blender periodically, until relatively smooth. Don’t be crazy about getting it completely smooth, people. You won’t be drinking this through a straw, so a little texture is good!
- Pour smoothie into a bowl.
- Garnish with toppings of your choice, and get after it
Serves: 2-4
Stretches for Tight Hamstrings
Tipover Tuck Hamstring Stretch
This stretch is good for your hamstrings and also loosens tight shoulders.
Stand with your feet hips-width distance apart. Interlace your hands behind your back. Keeping your legs straight, bend at the hips, tucking your chin and bringing your hands over your head. Relax the back of your neck, and if the stretch is too intense, release your hands, placing them on the backs of your thighs, and soften your knees. Hold for 30 seconds and slowly roll up to standing.
Scissor Hamstring Stretch
Easy to do anywhere and safe for injured backs, this hamstring stretch is great if you’re really tight.
Stand with your feet together. Step your right foot back about two feet and bend forward from your hip joint, keeping your back and both legs straight. After holding for 30 seconds, switch sides.
Standing Hamstring Stretch
If the previous stretch isn’t deep enough for you, then try this variation. It’s perfect for doing on a bench after a run in the park.
Prop your left heel up on a surface that is a little lower than your hip, such as a chair or bench. Flex your foot. To increase the stretch, bend forward toward your flexed foot by creasing at your hips. Hold for 30 seconds and switch legs.
Modified Hurdler Stretch
This basic stretch is perfect for targeting one leg at a time, and is great for those with really tight hamstrings.
Sit on the floor and straighten your left leg in front of you. Bend the right knee, placing the sole of your right foot against your left inner thigh. Fold over your left leg, keeping your back straight. Hold for 30 seconds, then switch legs.
Forward Bend With Rounded Back
This stretch targets both hamstrings as well as the lower back. Sit on the floor, extending both legs straight out in front of you, legs together. Fold your torso over your thighs, gently rounding the back but keeping the legs straight. Hold here for 30 seconds and then sit up.
