The Physiological Effects of Exposure to Nature

It has been suggested that humans fool a genetic predisposition for forming a close affinity with char numeraler (Wilson, 1984). It has long been established that people boast a broad range of ruttish and physiological responses to constitution, and that there be despotic physical (Moore, 1981 Ulrich, 1984), cognitive (Cimprich, 1990 Hartig et al. , 1991) and kind (Kaplan & Talbot, 1988 Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989) benefits to forming close attachments to nature. According to Ulrich (1983), experiencing nature is physiologically sanguine and has biological value for people.Mayer & Frantz (2004) excessively established empirical evidence that connection to nature was associated with subjective eudaimonia. In light of these noted cause, this review focuses on the pretend which exposure to nature may have on mental health, and possible explanations for the noted effects. Exposure to Nature and Mental Health Although it has been acknowledged that middleman with nature has mul tiple physiological benefits, it has also been noted that there are specific benefits to an individuals mental health from exposure (Taylor et al., 2001). For example having close contact with nature has been order to foster recoery from general mental fag out (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989). In addition, seeing nature is effective in relieving stress and improving wellbeing (Kaplan, 1992 Leather, Pyrgas, Beale, & Lawrence, 1998, Lewis, 1996). When people view innate scenes, particularly natural scenes that depict water, human health can be improved and have a positive psychological benefit (Ulrich, 1982 cited in Rohde & Kendle, 1994).In their research, The Wave Nature of Being Ultradian Rhythms and Mind-Body Communication, Rossi and Lippincott (1992) commented An extensive matching of the clinical-experimental data of chronobiology and psychology suggests that what the biologist calls the entrainment of ultradian and circadian rhythms by psychosocial stimuli is the psychobiological bas is of what psychotherapists call mesmeric suggestion to facilitate mind-body healing. (para. 1) at that place are also noted effects on specific mental health conditions which have been found in the procur fitting research.Ulrich commented that viewing nature effectively lowers stress. When stress is lessened, levels of stress hormones, such as norepinephrine, often are lowered as well, and this may alleviate the incurd meretriciousness of pain (1983, p. 103). The stress-reduction theory perspective taken by several authors (Ulrich, Dimberg, & Driver, 1991) also supports this, suggesting that nature reduces stress for evolutionary reasons (Cackowski & Nasar, 2003, p. 747). Types of Exposure to Nature Research indicates that forming a join with nature does not have to be a physical activity to hold benefit.For example Kaplan and Kaplan (1989) found that office workers who had a view of trees and bushes from their office suffered importantly less frustration than those without such views. Research by Ulrich (1999) also suggests that looking at natural environments as opposed to urban scenes is more effective in restoration from stress. Ulrich (1983) also noted that When patients cannot be provided with an actual view of nature or direct contact with nature, representing nature in photographic images and other artistry has also been shown to be beneficialthough the results are not quite as dramatic.Nature photographs and ar dickensrk of natural scenes are common in the more progressive tense hospitals today. Expanding on this concept is the SkyCeiling, an illuminated ceiling system that provides an illusion of an attractive sky scene that helps people relax (p. 201). In addition, the sounds of nature have also been investigated as a means of improving mental health. Tsuchiya et al. (2003) found that playing sounds from nature to patients undergoing general anesthesia had a positive impact on kind pressure and heart rate. This then also corresponded to r educed stress in the patient.Reasons Behind the Positive Effects of Nature on Mental Health There are numerous different explanations as to why exactly exposure to nature has such a notable impact on human mental health. Alexander et al. (1977) noted that In some way, which is hard to express, people are able to be more whole in the presence of nature, are able to go deeper into themselves, and are somehow able to draw sustaining energy from the life of plants and trees and water (p. 806). Ulrich (1983) suggests that these positive benefits are largely due to evolutionary causesBecause humans evolved over a long period in natural environments, we are to some extent biologically adapted to natural as opposed to build content. A theme common to this perspective is that individuals are innately predisposed to respond positively to many natural settings. Such evolutionary notions are not forward-looking (p. 116). It is also possible that it is something which is fostered in adults from an early age, for example Kellert (2005) commented that childrens emotional, intellectual, and evaluative information depends on varied ongoing experiences of natural process and diversity (p. 88). Equalizing mentality HemispheresOne of the around cited explanations behind the impact of nature on mental health is that of the effects which it creates to balance the oddfield and right hemispheres of the brain. Pettigrew (see Blakeslee, 1999), an inventor of the sticky-switch idea of depression, believes that there is a sticky-switch that connects the right and left brain hemispheres, and Chowdhary (2007) claimed that the key to brain disturbization was the corpus callosum. In addition, a psychology professor, Cindy McPherson Frantz (2006) supported the idea that the balanced brain may possibly relate to well-being as per Swara yoga claims.In our research, we demonstrate that connectedness to nature is a better predictor of environmentally friendly behavior than are attitudes. I t also correlates with several health and well-being indices (Frantz, 2006, para. 2). Furthermore, in his book, Of Two Minds The Revolutionary Science of Dual-Brain psychology, a neuroscientist and a medical professor from Harvard University, Schiffer (1998) commented that, a healthy left and right mind with a respectful, cooperative race between them can lead to a life of greater meaning, creativity, productivity, and fulfillment.Only when the relationships within yourself are in concurrence are you best able to sustain a healthy relationship with another person (p. 15). Rossi (2007) suggests that when one experiences an equal nasal dominance, our brain is in a balanced state of matter, which could mean that our body and mind are then in a balance state which allows them to behave in more healthful ways. Furnass (1979) commented that an experience with nature can help to restore the functions of the right and left side of the brain in harmony as a whole. Yogendra (1958) also st ated that the act of contemplating nature can reduce the brains flighty system activity.In their research, Rossi and Lippincott (1992) demonstrated the physiological link toward bi-lateral brain hemisphere activity and stated that, The most significant of these studies for understanding mind-body talk are those of Debra Werntz (1981) who reported a contralateral relationship between cerebral hemispheric activity (EEG) and the ultradian rhythm of the nasal cycle. They found that relatively greater integrated EEG values in the right hemisphere are positively correlated with a predominant airflow in the left nostril and visa versa . . .an irregular nasal cycle, particularly one in which the person remains dominant in one nostril or the other for an excessively long period of time are associated with illness and mental disorder (Rama, Ballentine, & Ajaya, 1976). (para. 20-22) Research in support of the Swara yoga tradition believes that nostrils are the windows to the state of our bod y and mind (Chowdhard, 2007, p. 39), and when both nostrils are open, this could mean that the body and mind are in balance and more prepared to act in reminiscent ways from the balanced dialogue between left and right hemispheres and a reduction in stress (Nirgunananda, 1999, p.58). This is supported by a review by Wernts et al. (1981) which found that during the deepest states of consciousness, nostril breathing was equal, indicating a balance between both sides of the brain. Medically-based research by Ri (2008) also found that fMRI brain scans revealed that when subjects watched a nature film they experienced equal nasal dominance and also entered a state in which their brain was completely calm.This research indicated that there was an active communication through the corpus callosum between the right and left hemispheres, which shows that the film put the participants brain into a balanced state. This supports Schiffers (1998) theory that a healthy left and right mind with a respectful, cooperative relationship between them can lead to a life of greater meaning, creativity, productivity, and fulfillment. Only when the relationship within yourself is in harmony are you best able to sustain a healthy relationship with another person (p. 15). Physiologic/Emotional/Psychological ResponseThe effects which are noted on psychological well-being are actually most likely to be a result of a combination of psychological/emotional and physiological changes relating to psychological (Kaplan, 1973 Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989 Kaplan & Talbot, 1988), physical (Moore, 1981 Ulrich, 1984), and cognitive aspects (Cimprich, 1990 Hatig et al. , 1991). Within only 3-5 minutes of exposure, views of vegetation or garden-like features elevate levels of positive feelings (e. g. , pleasantness, calm) and reduce negatively toned emotions such as fear, anger, and sadness.Certain nature scenes effectively sustain interest and attention and accordingly can serve as pleasant distractions th at may diminish stressful thoughts. Regarding physiological manifestations of stress recovery, laboratory, and clinical investigations have found that viewing nature settings can produce significant restoration within less than 5-minutes as indicated by positive changes, for instance, in blood pressure, heart activity, muscle tension, and brain electrical activity (Cackowski & Nasar, 2003 Ulrich, 1981 Ulrich et al. , 1991).Conclusions It is apparent from the literature available that exposure to nature may have a positive impact on an individuals physical and mental health. This may result from activities which create an interaction with nature, or merely from sights and sounds of nature. The health benefits which have thus far been shown focus predominantly on stress reduction, but it is possible that the combination of physical, emotional, psychological and cognitive effects may also have benefits for recovery across a wide range of mental health disorders.A particularly important element in the physical and psychological interaction which underlies these benefits is the air in which experiences with nature may be able to facilitate a balancing of the brains two hemispheres. It would appear that experience with nature creates a state in which equal nasal dominance is initiated, which then appears to reduce brain activity, putting both brain hemispheres in a state of equal relaxation. It is this effect which then appears to create a sense of balance, which is conducive to a more positive state of mental health. References Cabeza, R. , & Kingstone, A. (2001).Handbook of functional neuroimaging of cognition, Cambridge, MA MIT Press. Cackowski, J. M. & Nasar, J. L. 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