Quick & Easy Stress Reduction Solutions – Part 2

Spending Time in Nature

In my last article I discussed the importance of learning simple stress management solutions that you can use easily in everyday life situations.  Life is complicated and we are all very busy.  It can seem difficult to find extended amounts of time to practice relaxation exercises.  I presented my first simple stress solution which was using essential oils. https://biofeedbackinternational.com/quick-easy-stress-reduction-solutions-part-1/#more-3634

Stress Reduction Solution #2 is Spending Time in Nature

There are not too many things that are more relaxing than spending time outdoors on a day when the weather is just right.  When you add to that being near the ocean, a lake or river, and maybe even a waterfall it makes it even better.  Vacation spots near the water are among the most popular destinations because people seem to have a natural desire to be near the water when they want to relax.

Other outdoor activities like hiking and camping are also very popular ways people spend time in the great outdoors.  Homeowners even spend a lot of time and money to make the space around their houses more comfortable so that they can spend time outside.

A March 30, 2017 article based on research at Brighton and Sussex Medical School showed that playing nature sounds caused changes in the bodily systems that run the flight-or-fright and rest-digest autonomic nervous systems, including effects that evidence resting activity in the brain.Dr. Cassandra Gould van Praag said, “We are all familiar with the feeling of relaxation and ‘switching-off’ which comes from a walk in the countryside, and now we have evidence from the brain and the body which helps us understand this effect.”

I came across another article from NBC News that  referenced other research about the benefits of spending time in nature.  Here says Irina Wen, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and clinical director of the Steven A. Military Family Clinic at NYU Langone Medical Center says “Nature can be beneficial for mental health,”. “It reduces cognitive fatigue and stress and can be helpful with depression and anxiety.”

We can’t always get to the outdoors.  Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate.   This is where technology can help.  There are all kinds of video and audio resources that allow us to play the sights and sounds of nature while we are indoors.  My wife plays nature sounds from her iPad to help fall asleep at night.  Just to thank you for reading this article I want to share a relaxing nature video with you that I recorded in the Niagara Falls area in Canada.  I hope you enjoy it.   Click on the link to view it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf78I-98KfM

Stay tuned for my next simple stress solution soon.

Harry L. Campbell

President, Biofeedback Resources International

Author of the book What Stress Can Do (available on www.Amazon.com )

www.biofeedbackinternational.com

References: University of Sussex. “It’s true: The sound of nature helps us relax.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 30 March 2017. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170330132354.htm>.

Christina Heiser / Sep. 29, 2017 / 12:33 PM EDT / Updated Jan. 7, 2018 / 11:21 AM EST / Source: NBC News