Humans and nature belong to each other. We are part of Nature and only in Nature, we can find our true self. As we are gradually moving further away from Mother Nature, we are longing for her. Especially during this pandemic time as we are kept apart and separated from each other, there is a deep longing to see other people. At the same time, the more we are separated from Mother Nature, the more we long to be with her.

The reason is simple, because being in nature is good for us, both emotionally and physically.
Kids who grow up in natural environments are far healthier and stronger than their peers. What exactly set them apart? And how nature improve our health? Here’s a list of why being in nature can have a positive impact on our health.

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1) Rebalancing negative and positive ions.

Have you ever felt light and happy when you’re with nature? Or, on the flip side, perhaps experienced feeling weighed down by living in the city for long periods of time? This may have something to do with the ions in the air. 

Ions are molecules floating in the air or atmosphere that have been charged with electricity. They can be negatively or positively charged depending on the number of electrons present in the molecule.

Negative ions can be found anywhere in nature – especially in the forest, waterfall, or underneath a big tree, as they are by-products of the plant-growing process. Research finds that being exposed to negatively charged ions has a positive impact on our health. That is part of the reason why we notice our mood change when we step into the wilderness. It can reduce symptoms of depression for some people while promoting antimicrobial activity. It can also help regulate sleep patterns, reduce stress, boost our immunity, and increase the metabolism of carbs and fats. (So, if you want to lose weight, try going out in the woods!)

In contrast, positively charged ions are often found in air pollution, mold, toxic chemicals, and other harmful substances in the air. Unfortunately, in today’s world, there are significant quantities of positive ions in the air especially in congested cities, office buildings, and industrial zones. Research suggests positively charged ions can lead to higher inflammation levels, chronic illnesses, depression, stress, and other negative health impacts.

Unfortunately, many of us cannot avoid positively charged ions, but what we can do is to rebalance them with negatively charged ions found in nature. In order to offset the effect of positive ions on our body, grounding practices like forest bathing, tree-hugging or walking with bare feet are small ways we can take to increase the number of negative ions we are exposed to.

Some of these activities have been proven to lower blood pressure as well as improve immune functioning. For those interested, you can even join a hiking group or visit a park nearby. You will feel the immediate mood change as soon as you step into the wild.

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2) Living microbiomes in the forest

Billions of microbes thrive in the forest. They are in the air, soil, and water. These bacteria, fungi and yeast cultures decompose organic matters and turn them into fertilizer and nutrients that the trees feed on. Similarly, a billion strains of microbes are present in our body = from the insides of our gut to our skin. They aid in digestion, nutrient absorption, detoxification, and immunity. 

When we take a walk in the forest, we are exposed to these microorganisms in natural environments. This may sound strange to you, but microbial exchange happens between us and the forest. We pick up different microbes present in that environment onto our body and share some of ours back to it. This not only helps us maintain a good balance between good and bad microbes, but also increases the number of microbial strains in our bodies. The more strains present, the better our health in the long run.

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3) Forest Aroma

One thing we can notice right away when stepping into the forest is the smell of the wilderness. The scent of the leaves, twigs, barks, trunks, and more. These aromas come from phytoncide, a substance emitted by plants and trees which protect themselves from harmful insects and germs. In a way, these antimicrobial and insect repellent substances are what we know as natural plant essential oils. Breathing these into our lungs is similar to aromatherapy. Studies show that inhaling phytoncide can help increase white blood cell activity, improve our immunity and lower the stress level.

When stepping into the wilderness, you get to experience all kinds of health benefits that Mother Nature has to offer at no cost. She provides us all that we need – food, shelter, medicine, or even clothing – without expecting anything in return. Regardless of who you are, you can benefit by being in Nature. You can say that it’s unconditional, and the “most just” kind of love.

Maybe it’s time to redefine our relationship with Mother Nature – not just how we can exploit her and other natural resources, but how we can live happily together with her. And maybe one day, we will realize that our ultimate happiness can only happen when we live in harmony with Mother Nature.

Let’s take a day off to visit the wilderness, see what she has to offer. But if you can’t do it right here right now, we invite you to join our movement to learn, live, and grow together with Mother Earth and give our products a try. At least you can truly get in touch with the real and pure form of nature in your everyday life and rediscover how we and Mother Earth can truly live in harmony without harming one another.    

Citations

Jewell, T. (2019, September 11). Do negative ions affect people? If so, how? Retrieved May 03, 2021, from http://www.healthline.com/health/negative-ions

Jiang, S., Ma, A., & Ramachandran, S. (2018). Negative air ions and their effects on human health and air quality improvement. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(10), 2966. doi:10.3390/ijms19102966

Li, Q., Kobayashi, M., Wakayama, Y., Inagaki, H., Katsumata, M., Hirata, Y., . . . Miyazaki, Y. (2009). Effect of phytoncide from trees on human natural killer cell function. International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 22(4), 951-959. doi:10.1177/039463200902200410

Li, Q., Morimoto, K., Kobayashi, M., Inagaki, H., Katsumata, M., Hirata, Y., . . . Krensky, A. (2008). Visiting a forest, but not a City, increases human natural KILLER activity and expression of Anti-cancer Proteins. International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 21(1), 117-127. doi:10.1177/039463200802100113

Mann, D. (2002, May 06). Negative ions create positive vibes. Retrieved May 03, 2021, from https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/negative-ions-create-positive-vibes

Peterfalvi, A., Meggyes, M., Makszin, L., Farkas, N., Miko, E., Miseta, A., & Szereday, L. (2021). Forest bathing always makes Sense: BLOOD Pressure-lowering and IMMUNE SYSTEM-BALANCING effects in late spring and winter in Central Europe. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 2067. doi:10.3390/ijerph18042067

When a negative is positive – how exposing yourself to more negative ions can have a positive effect on your health. (2021, January 18). Retrieved May 03, 2021, from https://holisticlakewood.com/when-a-negative-is-positive/