When Chris, my husband, and I first started dating I had the opportunity to not only get to know him, but also his parents. I received a front row seat to a lifestyle that was completely unfamiliar to me. There was always something new to discover each time I visited their 6 bedroom Victorian style home. Shelves filled with beautiful knick knacks, closets stuffed with seasonal decorations that were displayed throughout the year and a basket filled with vitamin containers on top of the refrigerator. Each day they would dutifully take a handful of vitamins. The mix varied slightly depending on how they were feeling. Niacin, it seemed, was the first line of defense for a cold. Thirty years ago I had never taken a vitamin so that basket really struck me as odd.
While I was completely unfamiliar of the true health benefits of vitamins, I had already discovered the health benefits of nature. Whether it was by accident of inclination I had put myself in the enviable position of being able to work outside.
Time and time again it has been proven that spending time outdoors has a positive effect on people’s health and well-being.
Suffering from brain fatigue? Aren’t we all? A 2013 study in Edinburgh Scotland monitored subjects as they walked through trees. In overstimulated brains, a walk through a group of trees caused brainwaves to become much quieter. A University of Vermont study showed in 2012 that there is a correlation between the amount of crime on a street and the amount of trees. A 10% increase in tree foliage resulted in an approximate 12% decrease in crime. The U. S. Forest Service and the Davey Institute examined the role that trees have in helping to clean the air. Because of the toxins that trees filter out of the air it is estimated that 850 lives are saved each year and 670,000 acute respiratory symptom incidents are prevented.
Unfortunately, we have all been subjected to the cold and inclement weather the past few months. Days filled with staying indoors, often for our own safety, are how many pass the time in the winter months. There is light at the end of the tunnel as they say. Longer days, sunnier days are ahead. Please, when possible, consider capitalizing on this gorgeous time we call Spring and reconvene with nature.
Here are a few ideas of ways to interact with nature:
1. If you exercise regularly, consider moving a small portion of your exercise routine outdoors.
2. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in the morning? Spend half of your morning ritual time outside.
3. Need to run to Wal-Mart or Jewel today? Park towards the back of the lot and enjoy looking at the gorgeous Huntley sky as you walk into the store.
4. Take advantage of the fact that the sun sets later and walk around your neighborhood before or after dinner.
5. Celebrate a random Monday and purchase fresh flowers for your kitchen table.
I still find something new each time I visit my in laws house and their vitamin basket is still on top of the fridge. The only thing that has changed is that we have one on the top of our own refrigerator now too.
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc., a garden center and landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or emailing her at Kathleen@thegrowingscene.com.. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She may address it in an upcoming column.
