The No. 1 Thing You Can Do to Improve Your Life? Spend Time in Nature
Photos and text by Jonah Holland, PR & Marketing Coordinator, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Crocuses blooming now at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
This week, Time Magazine named spending time in nature as the No. 1 thing you can do to improve your life. If you read this blog regularly, this information may not come as a surprise to you. You probably have learned by listening to your body (and your soul) that spending time in nature makes you feel restored, more patient, and simply happier. So, maybe I’m preaching to the choir, but even for Mother Nature’s biggest fans, it’s always nice to have a reminder — especially a reminder that’s backed up by scientific evidence. Nature is a powerful thing.
Time’s article says, “Get out in Nature. You probably seriously underestimate how important this is. (Actually, there’s research that says you do.) Being in nature reduces stress, makes you more creative, improves your memory and may even make you a better person.”
I should probably mention right now that the No. 2 thing you do to improve your life, according to Time, is to exercise, so do yourself a favor and go for a walk in nature. Your whole self with thank you.
The Wilderness Society sums the benefits up nicely with even more convincing data and research:
Spending time in nature can cover a load of other bases as well, including fitness, time with loved ones, challenge and feeling gratitude.Here’s evidence of all of the ways spending time outdoors can enhance your mental, emotional and physical well being:
Nature’s bounty: Camellia ‘Crimson Candles’ blooming now at the Garden.