Posted on 07/25/2015 10:17:01 AM PDT by Brad from Tennessee
A walk in the park may soothe the mind and, in the process, change the workings of our brains in ways that improve our mental health, according to an interesting new study of the physical effects on the brain of visiting nature.
Most of us today live in cities and spend far less time outside in green, natural spaces than people did several generations ago.
City dwellers also have a higher risk for anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses than people living outside urban centers, studies show.
These developments seem to be linked to some extent, according to a growing body of research. Various studies have found that urban dwellers with little access to green spaces have a higher incidence of psychological problems than people living near parks and that city dwellers who visit natural environments have lower levels of stress hormones immediately afterward than people who have not recently been outside.
But just how a visit to a park or other green space might alter mood has been unclear. Does experiencing nature actually change our brains in some way that affects our emotional health?
(Excerpt) Read more at well.blogs.nytimes.com ...
Are we going to see you on the next season of Alone? Worth 500k if you outlast everyone.
God certainly has given us a beautiful world, huh?
[[Are we going to see you on the next season of Alone? Worth 500k if you outlast everyone]]
NO! The mosquitos are HORRIBLE there!
I’ve been walking in the woods for years and have never gotten any of the diseases you mention.
That sounds lovely! Have you ever read this book? It is wonderful. I thimk you’d enjoy it!
http://www.amazon.com/Canoeing-Cree-Eric-Severeid/dp/0873515331
This is a true adventure story written by a great American icon. It was 1930 and in their late teens, Eric Sevareid and his good friend Walter Port, embark on an amazing canoe journey through much of Minnesota and a remote region of Canada. The story takes you back to an era when life was simple but abundant; to a time when the north woods was truly a brutal frontier and men were really men. They fight mosquitoes, flies, boredom, mud, rain, cold, gigantic waves on Lake Winnepeg and being lost in areas where there is no chance of being saved. There is no modern technology. They are often times very much alone against the elements that had no mercy. As you read the book you cannot help visit the thought that these events actually happened, they really did this and they lived to tell about it. The people they encounter, towns they visit and, of course, the rivers and lakes they traverse are all generously given to people like me who toil at computers all day but shamelessly dream impossible dreams of living in a time and place that is now slipping into the oblivion of modern life.
I’m sure many critics would complain about the simplicity of Eric’s writing and the lack of visual development in some segments. But take this book for what it is and just enjoy it. Makes a good gift, especially for Nintendo bound teenagers who need to see a bigger world.
It also helps if your mommy still does your laundry and makes your lunch every day while you are out contemplating nature. :)
I’ve been to places so remote the people drink Starbucks coffee and don’t even know there is anything better. It’s a real eye opener to find out there are people THAT backward!
*SIGH* Beautiful! We live in one of the prettiest parts of America, do we not?
City Dwellers would think they were in a scene from, ‘Deliverance’ if you took them out there, LOL!
We went out for Fish Fry last night, and on the way home parked (on Public Land) and spent a good 30 minutes watching the American White Pelicans, Canada Geese, Mallard Ducks and Sandhill Cranes settle in for the night on the lake across the road.
The ‘Skeeters finally chased us in, which is SO much better than being chased in by random (or directed!) gunfire! :)
My brain must be real healthy right now. I’ve spent the week cleaning up dead trees and fallen limbs in my woods. The past week temperatures have been brutal but today the North wind made working comfortable.
me either, although I have had deer ticks on me- not many- but they are getting worse/more prevalent- One tick was pretty well embedded- don’t know howl ong it was attached- they are so stinking small I didn’t see it right away- left a erd mark- but no typical bullseye pattern
But I know people I n area that have had lyme disease- man, it really wrecks people’s lives- one woman had to have antibiotics pumped straight into her body- and nearly died- she got better, but is sick again with lyme-
the health center said cases are up 300% this year- I have hade some funky rash docs couldn’t figure out on my foot- I’m pretty certain it came from woods- but not 100% certain- tried all kinds of shtuff on it- the only thing that worked was anti-fungal medicines- but doc said it wasn’t ringworm- who knows- it was a pain to get rid of
Anyways- it all depends on where you are I n the country- people in Conn, NJ and long island/lower NY can’t even go out In their own manicured yards without getting numerous ticks o n them anymore- People in other states like maine, Nh, Vt etc don’t have to worry so much- The south is rife with ticks as well- Midwest you have other tick bourne viruses-
I’ve never had starbucks- prefer instant coffee myself lol
I also know people that have gotten Lyme disease. They must not have sensitive skin.
I don’t drink instant and I have had Starbucks but drinking Starbucks coffee is like eating at McDonald’s, only to be resorted to if nothing else is available.
This man speaks on my behalf concerning Starbucks, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4Mjnzqi5gs
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