Beauty is all around us — just reach out
There is no dearth of nature’s bounty in the UAE and everyone can benefit physically and mentally, says expert
Soniyaa Punjabi, founder of Illuminations Wellbeing Centre and a holistic wellness consultant, among many other qualifications, explains why interacting with nature can help beat urban stress.
Why is being amid nature linked to our well-being?
Being amid nature evokes a sense of coming home to the self for mind, body and emotions. It’s scientifically proven that the body responds positively when surrounded by nature.
In urban life, we tend to forget or ignore this fact. As an outlet to relieve stress, we end up watching TV, or checking our smart phones in our spare time, not realising that this addiction is causing us to compromise our health.
When this stress reaches chronic levels, we rush to doctors and ingest more toxins to combat the effects of such stress on our mind and body.
Sometimes, all we need to do is disconnect from urban stress and connect with nature to relax, rest and rejuvenate. This [helps] bring your mind, body and emotions back into harmony and back in tune with the natural flow and rhythm of life.
Can you give us examples?
Japanese researchers found that people who lived closer to or near forests had significantly lower rates of lung, breast, uterine, prostate, kidney, and colon cancers. The Japanese encourage what is called a forest bathing trip, called “Shinrinyoku”.
It involves a visit to a forest area for the purpose of relaxation and recreation by breathing in volatile substances, called phytoncides, released from the trees.
Phytoncides can reduce stress hormones, lower anxiety, and improve blood pressure and immunity.
In England, researchers from the University of Exeter Medical School found that people living near more green spaces reported less mental distress.
Natural sunlight has been proven to give us the much needed Vitamin D and natural stabilisation of melatonin levels, which promote restful sleep.
Years of extensive research have shown that connecting to the Earth’s natural energy, by walking barefoot on grass, sand, dirt or rock can diminish chronic pain, fatigue and other ailments that plague so many people today. This connection is referred to as Earthing or Grounding.
When your bare feet or skin come in contact with the earth, free electrons are taken up into the body. These electrons could be referred to as nature’s biggest antioxidants and help neutralise damaging excess free radicals that can lead to inflammation and disease in the body.
The earth’s energy upgrades one’s physiology by allowing the body to cope and repair thereby promoting well-being, vitality and better sleep.
It also harmonises and stabilises the body’s biological rhythms, knocks down (and even knocks out) chronic inflammation and reduces and eliminates associated pain, making it the most natural and powerful antiinflammatory and anti-ageing remedy around.
No matter what your age, gender or health status, you will benefit from a daily dose of nature.