Getting out into nature is good for your health. I don't have any gold standard, double-blind, randomised control studies to prove it, but I innately know it to be true - and there are very sound reasons as to why.
Secondly, it involves fresh air. You only need to go for a stroll around the inner city for 10 minutes to realise that the quality of the air we breathe isn't what it used to be. The more we can get out into nature, get some fresh air into our lungs and reduce the chemical (pollution) load on our lungs, the better we will be.
Thirdly. it involves de-stressing. There is just something about nature that is great for reducing stress. The exercise plays a significant role, as does the fresh air and the quiet thinking time. Whatever it is, though, there is no doubt that getting into nature will leave you feeling less stressed, and given the links between stress and chronic disease, this will have an impact on your health.
Fourthly, it involves getting in touch with nature. This is one of those intangible benefits, but there is no doubt that getting into nature and seeing the , beautiful balance of a natural, undisturbed ecosystem at work gives us pause to think about our own bodies and what kind of ecosystem we are maintaining. We understand that a forest needs nutrients (minerals, sunlight, water) and we understand that it needs no toxicity (pollution, woodchoppers, chemical sprays), and so it causes us to think (consciously or subconsciously) about the kinds of nutrients and toxicities we are creating around our own body.
So spend some time out in nature - you will feel and function better for it.
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