Stargaze, walk barefoot on grass, talk to your plants, exercise in a green space: Reunite with nature amid the pandemic

It’s been almost a year and a half as most of us have been spending time indoors. The Covid-19 pandemic urged people to stay home and that has caused a loss of human connection with nature. A recent study conducted by an institute of health and medicine in the US revealed that natural connection or natural connection is positively related to happiness, well-being and overall life satisfaction. Certain voids in their life or feeling emotionally low in general. Humans are products of nature and we thrive when we live within the parameters it defines for us. Time and time again, we have seen how the loss of connection with nature has gradually led to illness and disease. Whether it is switching from whole foods to processed foods, Movement and activity to becoming sedentary, sleeping at night to being sleep deprived or being present at all times for media social and technological excesses. says Luke Coutinho, holistic lifestyle coach

Nature has its healing power

Nature is healing in every way and acts as an anti-depressant. The closer we are to nature, the more synchronized our lives are, and the more argumentative and healthy we are. “When you connect with nature, everything you see, hear and experience has a direct impact on your mood. It controls the functioning of your nervous, endocrine and immune systems . , thus refreshing your mind for new tasks,” says Kanchan Rai, a mental health coach, who feels residing and being active among green vegetables can make a person creative and active. effective. Therefore, we must take advantage of green spaces wherever and whenever we can.nature acts as an escape from reality. “It is true that nature can help deal with chronic health problems and mental problems such as depression, stress and anxiety. It helps you manage anger, fear and tension and “Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical health, reducing blood pressure and heart rate, muscle tension,” says Dr.Smita Naram. , co-founder, Ayushakti said. Ironman Triathlete Nikhil Kapur agrees and says: “Connecting with nature is one of the most positive ways to be calm and composed. Even a small period of 5 minutes grounds and opens up for self-analysis. ” After all, why does a walk in a lush green garden or an apartment facing the beach make us feel so good? That’s because we are close to nature.

The need to reconnect with nature amid the pandemic

For people living in cities, periodic breaks from the hustle and bustle of the city and work life work wonders. It is often necessary to keep our sanity intact. Personally, for me and my family, occasional trips to the jungle or scenic location with no TV and low cellular connectivity are essential. However, the privilege of planning a staycation or a short trip to relax and connect with nature every few months has been temporarily disrupted by the pandemic and subsequent lockdown. Prolonged stay-at-home situations and travel curbs have cost us time outdoors. “Yes, there can be a disconnection with naturally bound points and destinations like mountains, beaches, forests, etc. Trees, land – are forms of nature, and even when one is Living in a high-rise building without access to a garden, the least they can do is stand next to a window to look out or soak in some sunshine. Raise the window to allow ventilation. cross, turn off the air conditioner and let in fresh air. One can even just visualize oneself in nature or tune into some natural sounds like a flowing river, rustling leaves, chirping birds, waterfalls, etc. Our brain cannot distinguish between reality and fantasy, and this gives us a superpower to imagine ourselves in nature and still reap the same benefits as we would if we were actually in nature”, suggests Coutinho idea. The need for us is to feel the different elements of nature. “When you sit near a pond and watch the breeze cause ripples in the water, you immediately feel calm and settled. The entire process of establishing a connection is therapeutic in nature,” the narrator says. story Sudhanshu Rai said.

How to connect with nature

– Go barefoot – Play in the dirt and just run your fingers through clean organic soil – garden, even if it means growing microgreens at home using a DIY kit. – Keep plants indoors, talk to your plants, water them- soak in morning or evening sunlight- respect circadian rhythms- use earthen pots and utensils- sit on the floor and use your hands to enjoy a meal – sounds like birds chirping, rivers flowing, wind blowing, ocean waves – bring nature indoors by having spacious green spaces. Consider a small patio, garden or balcony- deep breathing is one of the simplest ways to connect with the environment- Download an app that helps you learn about the stars and plan sessions how The sound of the wind while it crosses it. This can motivate you to get outside and safely- keep your windows open for fresh air take a morning walk, run or bike right after sunrise in the grass and read a The book feels good

Inputs from Luke Coutinho, Holistic Lifestyle Coach and Manik Dhodi, Fitness Instructor

Top 10 benefits of spending time in nature

1. It develops mindfulness and awareness. It helps us regulate our awareness and be present2. It lowers blood pressure by making us feel relaxed, calm and secure. Naturopathy recommends walking for 10-15 minutes barefoot to normalize blood pressure3. It reduces cortisol levels, thereby reducing inflammation4. Science says that spending time in nature helps us absorb negative ions. They are often found near bodies of water such as rivers, streams, waterfalls, and oceans and can have an extremely soothing effect on our bodies5. Contact with the soil and the ground can give us benefits from the super powerful microbes found in the soil, naturally building strong immunity.6. It increases serotonin levels in our body, which helps elevate Mood7. Naturally enhances mental clarity8. Our concentration, intelligence, grasping power, learning skills are enhanced9. A person closer to nature is likely to be more calm and thoughtful, and less aggressive.10. Spending time in nature promotes creativity

Experts say

As a nature lover, I spend a lot of time in my garden, picking up my favorite Frangipani flower that has fallen to the floor and then smelling it. This is my therapy to get into a zone of deep relaxation and also one where I pay attention to the simple pleasures of life.

– Nikhil Kapur, Ironman Triathlete

Over the years, we have realized that people living in villages rather than urban places are closer to nature and hence they do not face so many lifestyle or environmental problems. If we do not correct this growing distance from nature, we will ultimately increase our growth and wisdom as individuals.– Sudhanshu Rai, storytellerCeleb said