How Nature Nurtures Physical, Mental, and Emotional Well-Being

Thrive • Jun 29, 2022

By Thrive Wellness Director of Nursing Liz Lass, RN, CEDRN, CPT

For many, spending time in nature instinctually seems beneficial, and research has consistently proven the value often intuitively placed on connecting with nature to be true. In other words, any natural landscape has the power to support holistic wellness — body, mind, and spirit .

THE PHYSICAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF SPENDING TIME IN NATURE

Whether it’s a brief walk in the community park on your lunch break or a ten-day backpacking trip in the wilderness, any time in nature is correlated with increased physical activity, which can promote improved blood pressure and overall cardiovascular health , decrease the risk of stroke and cardiovascular diseases , strengthen bones and muscles, increase joint mobility, and enhance brain health and memory. Additionally, individuals who spend more time outside tend to soak up more vitamin D from the sun, which can help strengthen their immune systems and bones among other benefits.

THE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF SPENDING TIME IN NATURE

Spending time in nature influences a person not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well. Research shows that those who spend more time in nature have lower levels of cortisol (also known as the “stress hormone”) which can cultivate feelings of relaxation.

Reduced depression and improved concentration are also linked to spending more time outside. One particular study from the University of Washington associated nature with:

A sense of meaning and purpose in life
Decreased mental distress
Increased happiness
Subjective sense of well-being
Positive affect, or an individual’s subjective experience of positive moods such as joy, interest, and alertness.
Positive social interactions

Another study found that time in nature can also help fend off feelings of loneliness and social isolation. While surrounded by nature, one may feel a sense of reciprocity with Mother Earth and gain a deeper understanding that all living beings are part of something bigger than ourselves. This sense of connection can infiltrate other aspects of our lives by encouraging acts of kindness, generosity, and empathy not only towards the environment but to others as well.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR EXPERIENCE IN NATURE

So you can reap all the benefits of experiencing nature, consider the tips below.

Make it fun: Research has shown that spending at least two recreational hours in nature during the week significantly improves general health and well-being. “Recreational” is the key word. When deciding how to implement nature into your life, do your best to make sure the experience brings you joy.
Practice mindfulness: Try to remain present and mindful when spending time outdoors by engaging your senses to observe and absorb the experience, maybe noticing what you see, hear, and smell. It may help to refrain from using your phone, so you can tune in to the awe-inspiring world around you.
Take advantage of urban resources: If you live in an urban area with limited access to nature or outdoor recreational areas, utilizing community parks, walking paths, and bike paths can positively impact mood and overall health in similar ways to time spent in the great outdoors.
Try alternative ways to engage with nature: If limited mobility or chronic illness impacts your ability to actively get outside, you can still connect with nature. Research has found that even watching nature documentaries or listening to nature sounds such as rainstorms or crashing waves can have a calming effect and improve mood.

NURTURING WELL-BEING AT THRIVE WELLNESS

While nature can be a helpful strategy for boosting your overall well-being on your own, sometimes professional care is required to adequately nurture physical, mental, and emotional health. At Thrive Wellness, our clinicians can incorporate nature into your treatment, a stratgey that’s oftentimes effective at fostering openness and relaxation in clients who may feel less willing to share their inner experiences in a therapy office. Additionally, our therapists can help you explore ways to connect with nature outside of therapy to enhance your health. Based on your preferences, we integrate health care according to your needs so that your entire being can be nourished and enriched for optimal personal growth. Reach out to learn more about our collaborative care services.

About the Author

Thrive Wellness Director of Nursing Liz Lass, RN, CEDRN, CPT

Liz Lass, RN, CEDRN, CPT, is Thrive’s director of nursing and is truly passionate about working with the eating disorder community. Liz earned her bachelor’s of science in nursing from the University of Nevada, Reno, and bachelor’s in science in exercise and sport science from Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. Liz is a certified eating disorder registered nurse (CEDRN) and has 9 years of experience working with the eating disorder population. Liz is also a certified personal trainer and is passionate about integrating her background of exercise science into her practice through mindful movement and helping clients heal their relationship with exercise. Her dynamic role at Thrive Wellness includes performing nursing assessments, providing meal support, leading groups, consultations, and assisting prescribers at Thrive Wellness with coordination of care between agencies, pharmacies, and laboratories. In her free time, Liz enjoys all that the Reno-Tahoe area has to offer, including skiing, hiking, biking, camping, wake-surfing, paddle boarding, and listening to live music. She grew up in Sun Valley, ID, and lives with her husband, two sons, and blue heeler in Verdi, NV.

The post How Nature Nurtures Physical, Mental, and Emotional Well-Being first appeared on Thrive Wellness.

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Clean House, Healthy Mind: Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health

By Sage Tippie • 23 Apr, 2024

Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health Spring is a time of new beginnings, change, and transitions, including in our homes. With the warmer weather kicking motivation into high gear, Spring can be a prime time to do a deep clean. Not only is a clean space aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, but it can also help to improve your mental health. Learn about how tidying up your space can also tidy up your thoughts below along with tips for cleaning when you’re struggling with your mental health. 4 Reasons Why Cleaning is Beneficial to Mental health 1.Decreased Stress Not only does an uncluttered space provide a sense of calm, but the physical act of cleaning can release feel-good endorphins, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. As you cross tasks off your checklist, your body also releases Dopamine. Also known as the “happy hormone”, Dopamine provides a sense of accomplishment and pride that can promote motivation in other areas of our lives. 2. Improved Focus Studies have shown that an uncluttered space can also lead to an uncluttered mind. Your focus can be drawn away from important tasks by a chaotic, messy space. Research has also shown a connection between procrastination and clutter, as an unwillingness to tackle larger chores like cleaning can translate over into various areas of our lives. By keeping your space tidy, it can inspire you to stay on top of other major tasks like work and school assignments. 3. Regulated Emotions According to this 2015 study , cleaning can function as a practice in mindfulness, providing an increased sense of calm and inspiration. Slowing down while cleaning gives you room to relax and free your mind of burdens, stressors, and irritants that can affect your mental health. Cleaning can even be considered a practice of self-care as the action helps you to connect with yourself and the outcome allows you to better enjoy your own space. 4. Sense of Order and Control When experiencing mental health struggles, people may feel a lack of control over their lives and emotions. Cleaning even small areas of the home can provide an increased sense of order and control as you cross tasks off your to-do list. Through realizing your own power by simply completing minor tasks like cleaning, it can reaffirm your ability to do more. 10 Tips for Cleaning When Struggling with Mental Health Mental health struggles and disorders commonly create barriers to one’s ability to clean and properly practice personal hygiene. Although these behaviors are normal side effects of mental health disorders, we want to work to aid our clients in cleaning to the best of their ability even in difficult times. Below, Thrive Wellness occupational therapist Meadow Deason shares some helpful tips she gives to clients when they struggle with cleaning due to mental health conditions: 1.Ask For Help Having support to clean can make a huge difference. Do the cleaning with the person helping you and have them hold you accountable. 2. Don't Wait for Motivation Motivation might not come before action, but it can build as you begin to see the results of your efforts. 3. Start Small Start with one area or one task and go from there. For example, concentrate on your bedroom first and then move on to the living room and bathroom. 4. Do Something Daily Even if you do only one small cleaning task a day, doing that one task creates momentum and prevents small tasks from building up and becoming overwhelming. 5. Use Sensory Modulation Change your environment by playing music, adjusting the lighting, or using aromatherapy. This can help to put you in a new headspace for cleaning. 6. Start with "High Impact" Tasks Start with more intensive or all-over cleaning tasks such as picking up clutter or doing the dishes. The visual "noise" of some tasks makes a large impact on the entire space, building motivation to continue cleaning. 7. Make a To-Do List Write a detailed to-do list of tasks and cross them off as you go. Physically marking down what you’ve accomplished can promote increased motivation. 8. Reward Yourself Set up a reward system where you reward yourself with a favorite activity or item when you complete a task as an incentive to clean. 9. Use the Rocket Method Don't think about it, just choose a task, countdown from five or ten and then start. This can help you to avoid potential anxiety and dread that can prevent you from cleaning. 10. Gamify Tasks Make up a game for your tasks or time yourself to promote increased engagement in cleaning. Your ability to complete tasks can be affected by a multitude of different factors and conditions including OCD , anxiety, depression , ADHD , and more. If you are struggling with motivation due to your mental health, help is here at Thrive Wellness.

child getting bandaid from doctor while mother smiles

The Importance of Whole Family Primary Care: A Q&A with Dr. Stephanie Wright

26 Mar, 2024

By serving the whole family, physicians are able to have a better understanding of family dynamics, family health care goals, and history of disease in the family.