POWER OF NATURE – NATURE CONNECTS, HEALS AND RESTORES

Doctor’s seminar at Tiger Estate

Tiger Estate held a seminar and an alumni gathering of a prominent Doctor’s group in its premises in the lap of nature on 23rd and 24th November 2022. Almost each one reconfirmed the power of nature for the betterment of us humans in many ways and that it’s much beyond the reach of medicinal and human treatment. In this blog, we will be discussing some of the most critical aspects of how humans can connect with Nature and find true solace and meaning of life via Nature.

Nature Teaches to be Giver and not Taker

We breathe Air, We consume water and food. Almost everything we possess, almost all of our needs and desires come from or are fulfilled by Nature. Nature simply gives, whereas we simply take. Can we give back partially if not fully to Nature? Yes, we can surely and we can do so effortlessly. Forget about the world, even if only in India each one of us plant 5 saplings (more are welcome) in our surroundings or wherever we are and ensure at least 3 out of 5 grow up and survive their normal life, we have contributed our bit. Assumingly and broadly 100 crores of us doing so will entail 300 crores of new greenery cover for us. This will be magical. Let’s give back this much.

Nature Impacts our Well Being

Research reveals that the environment can increase or reduce our stress, which in turn impacts our bodies. What you are seeing, hearing, experiencing at any moment is changing not only your mood, but how your nervous, endocrine, and immune systems are working.
The stress of an unpleasant environment can cause anxiety, sadness or helplessness. This in turn elevates your blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension and suppresses your immune system. A pleasing environment reverses that.
And regardless of age or culture, humans find nature pleasing. In one study cited in the book Healing Gardens, researchers found that more than two-thirds of people choose a natural setting to retreat to when stressed. This is the power of nature.

Nature Soothes

The power of nature helps us cope with pain, anxiety and other disorders. We are genetically programmed to find trees, plants, water, and other natural elements engrossing, we are absorbed when we are in the midst of natural scenes and distracted from our pain and discomfort.
This is clearly demonstrated in one of the classic studies of patients who underwent gallbladder surgery; Half had a view of trees and half had a view of a wall. According to the physician (Robert Ulrich) who conducted the study the patients with the view of trees tolerate pain better, appeared to have fewer negative effects, and spent less time in a hospital. More recent studies have shown similar results with scenes from nature and plants in hospital rooms.

Nature Inspires

The power of nature has inspired us humans from times immemorial. Spending time in nature also inspires a sense of awe. This feeling that the world is so much bigger than you can comprehend allows us to consider different perspectives and can lead to innovative ideas. This could explain why so many artists – from Ansel Adams to Henry David Thoreau to Georgia O’Keefe – have found spending time in nature essential to their work.
Why is nature so beneficial to the brain? Scientists believe the state of “soft fascination” – in which you can find yourself as you appreciate your surroundings on a hike or watch the water of a river flow by – is believed to calm the prefrontal cortex, allowing the brain to access other regions that can lead to insights and new ideas.

The Power of Nature – The Perfect Healer

Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes one feel better emotionally but also contributes to physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. It may even reduce mortality, according to scientists such as public health researchers “Stamatakis and Mitchell”.
Research done in hospitals, offices, and schools has found that even a simple plant in a room can have a significant impact on stress and anxiety which we all understand is true and likable.

Nature Restores

One very interesting area of current research is the impact of nature in general in restoring our wellbeing. In one study, 95% of those interviewed said their mood improved after spending time outside, reversing from depressed, stressed, and anxious to more calm and balanced. Other studies by Ulrich, Kim, and Cervinka show that time in nature or scenes of nature are associated with a positive mood, and psychological well being, meaningfulness, and vitality.

Also, time in nature or viewing nature scenes increases our ability to pay attention. Because humans find nature inherently soothing and harmonious. We can naturally focus on what we are experiencing out in nature. This also provides a respite for our overactive minds, refreshing us for new tasks.
Research by Andrea Taylor on children with ADHD ( Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) shows that time spent in nature increases their attention span gradually.

**Note: Author of this Blog is Maj Rakesh Sharma, Founder of Tiger Estate. We extend our invitation to you all to visit Tiger Estate and experience Nature and its gifts immensely.