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Nature’s Nurture

The salty sea breeze on your face, the crisp air in the dense forest, and the glowing sun

warming your body—what feelings do these invoke in you? The answer is probably along the

lines of happy or positive emotions. However, do these experiences impact our mental health to a

noticeable extent? This idea is what I want to answer. I want to know if we can use the world's

scenic surroundings as a tool for our well-being. I have always felt fond of nature and associated

it with positive thoughts, but I am unsure if this is consistent for me or the rest of society.

I have always felt connected to nature. I love swimming in the salty ocean and breathing

the fresh air in the Santa Cruz forests. I grew up on the beaches of San Diego, where I obtained

the nickname "sand dog" because I would be covered in sand by the time I left. Swimming in the

ocean and walking on the warm sand always brought me happiness. There is a noticeable

difference in my mental state when I am in these environments as opposed to sitting in class or

my room. This fact makes me stop and wonder if it is the same for other people. It is to a certain

extent; many people prefer to relax on the beach rather than sit in an office and work. So, in this

case, someone would receive a higher serotonin level feeling their toes in the sand than in a

workplace, but I wonder about the lasting effects this has on an individual and if this is a

necessary factor in someone's life.

One may notice a difference between walking through a busy city and walking through a

thriving green forest. One environment might make one feel calm and at peace, while another

might make your mind race. Although some people might express that both are simply a walk in

an outside environment and it makes no difference to them, this makes me wonder if there is a

psychological answer or scientific studies as to whether the environment impacts our brain and

how we feel.

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Another aspect to consider is that individuals' experiences on this topic can vary greatly.

Age, gender, and personal preferences can come into play when determining the impact of nature

and the environment on mental health. These conditions make it questionable if people can

consistently turn to the environment for "treatment" or empowerment. Nevertheless, before

considering all of these elements, we first need to answer the question, What effects does nature

have on human health, and is it an essential factor in our lives?

Firstly, nature has many effects on physical and mental health, so it must have some sort

of importance in human lives. Many studies have shown that nature has many effects, such as

reducing stress, depression, and anxiety. According to "The Mediating Effect of Nature,"

"...natural environments have the ability to restore the depleted mental resources, such as

cognition, attention, and emotions, that often results from the negative factors of urban

environments [24,25]. " (Baceviciene, Mingle, Rasa Jankauskiene). Based on this idea, nature

carries importance in our lives because it provides us with an escape from busy lives that can

cause mental fatigue. Although it is hard to put a specific value on it, its importance varies for

every individual. Some individuals may value an escape from their busy everyday lives less than

others. "Green Qualities" states that "some research on associations between nature and health

has been based on evolutionary hypotheses, claiming that we have a genetic, inherent need for

nature, which by instinct makes us calm and less stressed in such settings." (Annerstedt, Matilda

et al.). Expanding on this idea, humans might have an inherent need to be in nature because of

our evolutionary past, suggesting that it is an essential factor in our lives because of how we

relied on natural environments for survival hundreds of years ago. Although it is unnecessary for

human survival present day, evidence suggests that nature is still essential.

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Furthermore, society must care more about nature because it could be a vital part of our

lives. During the pandemic, many people realized how important spending time outside was. It

provided an escape from feeling trapped and stuck inside. A study about time in nature during

the pandemic was done: "Spending Time in Nature," reveals that "it found a 40-minute walk in

nature, compared with walking in an urban space or reading a magazine, led to significant

improvements in mood, reduced anger and aggression, and better recovery from mental fatigue"

(Catherine Knight). Instead of diminishing natural habitats and emitting tons of carbon, one

should add to the idea that nature is vital to recovering and improving one's mood and health.

Furthermore, the article "The Effect of Nature on Mental Health" states that "evidence supports

that contact with nature is beneficial for health and well-being even though humans today spend

little time in nature" (Trøstrup, Christiansen). So even with society's diminished time in nature,

one still experiences the fantastic benefits that nature gives humans. In summary, one can survive

without nature; although it provides many positive benefits that improve the quality of life, its

importance is up to personal beliefs.

Additionally, the relationship between humans and nature is a complex and ever-evolving

dynamic shaped by cultural, historical, and environmental factors. It is not new information that

humans are destroying the planet. Therefore, humans' relationship with nature is toxic; nature

gives people everything they need, and humans destroy it with carbon dioxide and pollution in

return. "Fragile Link Between Humans and Nature" suggests that "our planet is beautiful,

something divine, each thing, every flower, no matter how small is a world, and that applies to

we human beings, who are the youngest animal and, at the same time, the most destructive"

(Andoni Berna). In other words, nature is bountiful, while human beings are destroyers. This

quote suggests that society has a parasitic relationship with nature. "Fragile Link Between

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Humans and Nature" also states that "little can be done at this time in which we live.

Unfortunately, the interests of a few people lead to a lack of respect for nature. If we do not

respect ourselves as human beings, undoubtedly, it will be of little interest to us to respect

animals, flowers, and the other life we have in the world. It is sad what is happening to us."

(Andoni Berna). In conclusion, the relationship between nature and humans is complicated; we

get so much positive from nature, but society does not view it as necessary, leading to its mass

destruction.

Exposure to nature has been linked to improved physical health outcomes, making it a

potentially effective tool for preventing and managing various chronic diseases. For example,

"How does nature exposure make people healthier?" states that "from reduced recovery time

following surgery to reduced Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder symptomology in

children, health improvements in patients with cancer and cardiovascular disease and many other

outcomes- the abundance of evidence for this effect is striking" (Meridith Repke et al.). There

are many associations between nature exposure and human health. Many studies and evidence

show the positive health benefits of simply spending time in nature. Not only are there indirect

influences, but there are also several direct benefits that nature brings to society. "How does

nature exposure make people healthier?" elaborates further: "For example, sunlight has been

linked to vitamin D production, release of nitric oxide, production of beta-endorphin, and

regulation of circadian rhythms" (Meridith Repke et al.). These factors help promote better

physical and mental health, improving one's quality of life.

Simultaneously, one of the most significant benefits of exposure to nature is its positive

impact on mental health. Nature has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and

improve mood and overall well-being. According to research, simply being in nature, whether a

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walk in the park or a garden, can lower cortisol levels, a stress hormone. "How does nature

exposure make people healthier?" expands on this idea, stating, "Although suggesting somewhat

different routes to restoration, both theories emphasize that nature is psychologically restorative.

And, consistent with this, the restorative quality of nature has been identified as a mediator of the

effects of nature exposure on a variety of health and well-being outcomes, including emotional

well-being (see, e.g., [34]) and mental health (see, e.g., [35])" (Meridith Repke et al.). Based on

this evidence, nature has therapeutic qualities for human health and deteriorates symptoms of

mental health difficulties. Additionally, "How does nature exposure make people healthier?"

adds that "...there is evidence suggesting increased nature exposure predicts reduced feelings of

loneliness and decreased frequency of feelings of inadequate social support, and that reduced

loneliness and decreased feelings of inadequate social support, in turn, improve self-reported

health, a number of health complaints, and mental health [35]" (Meridith Repke et al.). This

evidence suggests that spending time in nature decreases feelings of depression and loneliness

and provides many benefits for improving one's mental health.

Additionally, research has shown that spending time in nature can have a beneficial

impact on cognitive function, particularly in the areas of memory, attention, and creativity.

According to studies, people who spend time in natural settings have better short-term memory

retention and improved concentration ability. Furthermore, exposure to nature can help people

recharge and rejuvenate, boosting their creativity and problem-solving skills. "How does nature

exposure make people healthier?" suggests that "early research into the mediators of the nature

exposure-health and wellness relationship revealed evidence that natural environments facilitate

physiological, emotional, and attention restoration [31]. From this line of research, two

complementary theories have spawned: Stress Reduction Theory [32] and Attention Restoration

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Theory (ART [33]). ART posits that nature exposure encourages effortless brain function,

facilitating its recovery from fatigue" (Meridith Repke et al.). According to these studies, people

who spend time in natural settings have better short-term memory retention and improved

concentration ability. Furthermore, exposure to nature can help people recharge and rejuvenate,

boosting their creativity and problem-solving skills. Additionally, "Student and Nature

Interactions" states that "outside of the pandemic, previous studies have shown that natural

environments can affect student performance, mental health, and satisfaction with their academic

courses [9,10]. These studies found that window views, campus greenspaces, and passive and

active interactions with plants can positively affect students [11,12,13]. Therefore, interactions

with these nature-based elements are potential mechanisms to reduce mental strain and improve

emotional well-being." (Jonah Trevino et al.). The study states that incorporating natural

elements into academic environments can improve student well-being and academic

performance. Furthermore, the quote emphasizes the importance of both passive and active

interactions with nature-based components, implying that students can benefit from exposure to

nature in various ways, such as by simply looking out the window or actively interacting with

plants.

Our environment plays a crucial role in shaping our mental health and well-being. Devon

Gummow is a therapist who graduated from the University of Arizona. She also works at a

middle school as a school counselor who provides forms of therapy for students. She also

provides treatment for people outside of school and is appreciated by many. Gummow is

knowledgeable in many subjects regarding the mental health of individuals. She firmly believes

in nature and its influence on the mind and body. For example, Gummow explains that "if your

surrounding environment is dark, like if your bedroom was painted all black with no windows

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and you were in there for twenty hours a day, you are more likely to have feelings of depression

and symptoms of depression and anxiety. If you have a room with bright natural light, you are

more likely to have reduced symptoms of depression and reduced symptoms of anxiety. So your

surrounding environment has a lot to do with your mental health.” In summary, Gummow

expresses the importance our environment plays on mental health and states that if one were to

incorporate something like natural light into one's living space, the likelihood of experiencing

mental health disturbances would decrease. Gummow provides another perspective on nature's

influence on mental health: "there is so much more to mental health than just going outside; it is

so multifaceted. I think you will see improvements, but I also think that if you're holding onto,

say, a trauma or something like that's underlying, I don't think that will be your one cure-all."

Therefore, one can see improvements by incorporating nature into their living environment and

seeing improvements in mental health when spending time outside. However, it is not something

that will fully cure mental disturbances. Thus, the conclusion met with associations between

nature exposure and health is that studies have shown that spending time in nature can benefit

humans' quality of life, physical fitness, and mental health. Still, it is not something that will

completely cure illnesses.

The decline in human exposure to nature has significant implications for health and

well-being, including physical, mental, and emotional consequences. In present-day society,

people are seeing fewer and fewer natural settings in their everyday lives, and they ignore the

implications of this. The article "Examining the Human Need for Nature" elaborates on a prison

study: "Inmates occupying outward-facing cells could look out on farmlands and forest, while

those in inward-facing cells faced the prison yard with no views of nature. Moore (1981)

discovered that prisoners with no natural views tended to seek medical services more often than

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those in outside-facing cells"(Jane Hurley, Gordon J. Walker.). This evidence can be applied to

society's everyday lives. It proves that simply viewing nature has restorative and beneficial

effects on human mental and physical health and that the deprivation of nature increases the

likelihood of health issues. "Examining the Human Need for Nature" also elaborates on another

prison study regarding a gardening club in a women's prison. It states that "The 36 women in the

Master Gardener program reported significantly higher global self-esteem and global life

satisfaction after the program than did those in the control group" (Jane Hurley, Gordon J.

Walker.), further proving that in nature’s absence, people tend to experience more disturbances to

mental and physical health. These studies demonstrate that decreased views and time spent in

nature can adversely affect the quality of life.

In the final analysis, the research has provided insights into this information's value.

These findings are presumed valuable because of how many people in society overlook nature,

and these facts suggest its considerable importance and effects on one's physical and mental

health. Nature provides various benefits to mental and physical health, including reducing mental

strain, feelings of depression, anxiety, and recovery time after surgeries. Although, its importance

is up to personal values and beliefs because it is not imperative to one’s health. The research

provided is indispensable due to the fact that it provides helping factors to people with mental

health issues, which one in four people struggle with. This subject also matters because of its

environmental stability implications. Understanding this topic contributes to improving public

health and the quality of life, which is invaluable. Therefore this research should be valuable for

everyone, not only because comprehending it can benefit one's health but because it can provide

insight into how to help others and the environment along with them. The topic discussed also

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gives information that can expand cultural and ethical development, which is critical to

appreciate diverse cultures and ways of life and promoting personal growth and social harmony.

Works Cited

Andoni Berna "Ecuadorian Artists to show Work on Fragile Link between Humans, Nature:

ECUADOR ART." EFE News Service, Aug 08, 2019. ProQuest,

https://www.proquest.com/wire-feeds/ecuadorian-artists-show-work-on-fragile-link/docvi

ew/2269441370/se-2.

Annerstedt, Matilda, et al. "Green Qualities in the Neighbourhood and Mental Health - Results

from a Longitudinal Cohort Study in Southern Sweden." BMC Public Health, vol. 12,

2012, pp. 337.

https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/green-qualities-neighbourhood-mental-healt

h/docview/1039392709/se-2, doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-337.

Baceviciene, Migle, and Rasa Jankauskiene “The Mediating Effect of Nature Restorativeness,

Stress Level, and Nature Connectedness in the Association between Nature Exposure and

Quality of Life.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,

U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35206285/.

Catherine Knight "Spending Time in Nature has always been important, but Now it is an Essential

Part of Coping with the Pandemic." EveningReport.nz, Mar 15, 2021. ProQuest,

https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/spending-time-nature-has-always-been-important/

docview/2644664216/se-2.

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Gummow Devon. Personal interview. 27 February 2023.

Jane Hurley and Gordon J. Walker. "Nature in our Lives: Examining the Human Need for Nature

Relatedness as a Basic Psychological Need." Journal of Leisure Research, vol. 50, no. 4,

2019, pp. 290–310. ProQuest,

https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/nature-our-lives-examining-human-need-rel

atedness/docview/2292876838/se-2,

doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2019.1578939.

Meredith Repke et al. “How Does Nature Exposure Make People Healthier?: Evidence for the

Role of Impulsivity and Expanded Space Perception.” PLOS ONE, Public Library of

Science, journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0202246.

Jonah Tevino et al. "Student and Nature Interactions and their Impact on Mental Health during the

COVID-19 Pandemic." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public

Health, vol. 19, no. 9, 2022, pp. 5030. ProQuest,

https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/student-nature-interactions-their-impact-on/

docview/2662986501/se-2, doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095030.

Trøstrup, ,C.H., et al. "The Effect of Nature Exposure on the Mental Health of Patients: A

Systematic Review." Quality of Life Research, vol. 28, no. 7, 2019, pp. 1695-1703.

ProQuest,

https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/effect-nature-exposure-on-mental-health-pa

tients/docview/2178455556/se-2, doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-019-02125-9.

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