Nature-RX
I had my annual physical exam a couple of days ago. After telling my physician about some issues I’ve been having he prescribed a couple of new medications for me. I am hopeful they will prove beneficial. I am certainly thankful that we live at a time when there are wonderful medications to help us experience better health. Ironically, shortly before Christmas I received a green T-shirt in the mail that had “Nature-RX” printed on it. I have no idea who sent me the shirt but I love it. The shirt will serve as a reminder to me that nature has healing benefits we could all use.
Various studies have revealed a host of benefits from spending time in nature. These benefits include an increase in happiness, an antidote to stress, anxiety reduction, improved moods, lower blood pressure, enhanced immune system function, a sense of meaning and purpose, and the promotion of cognitive development in children. Spending time in nature also improves concentration, energy and focus. It even makes a person more giving. If there was a pill that would do all of this for us I suspect we’d all be asking our doctors for a prescription. We would even be willing to pay a high price for such a medicine. Well, in nature we find all this available to us for free and anyone can take advantage of it.
Today we actually know just how much nature is required to reap many of the benefits I’ve mentioned. A recent study revealed that people who spend two hours a week in green spaces—local parks or other natural environments, either all at once or spread out over several visits—are substantially more likely to report good health and psychological well-being than those who don’t. Spending just 120 minutes a week outside can do you a world of good!
I would be negligent if I didn’t also note that there are many spiritual benefits to spending time in nature. As we get outdoors we have a chance to observe our Creator’s handiwork. Our spirits get lifted as we admire the beauty of the earth. We can actually commune with God through nature. If we will pay close attention we can also learn many spiritual lessons from the natural world. It is obvious from reading the Gospels that Jesus did just this. I believe we can likewise find comfort and peace, as well as joy and strength, from time spent with God outdoors. Viewing beautiful sunrises and sunsets, observing the wonders of the night sky, or paying attention to the flora and fauna around us can draw us closer to God. Surely spending time in nature ought to be considered a spiritual discipline. It is something we can all benefit from.
The “Great Physician” has written us a marvelous prescription that will have positive benefits for us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I hope we will all be wise enough to take advantage of this prescription in the coming year. Why not make a New Year’s resolution now to do just that? Happy New Year and God bless!
-Chuck