HAccording to research, the environments that surround us can reduce or increase our levels of stress; this, in turn, has an impact on our bodies. The senses drink in what you are hearing, seeing, and experiencing at any moment and then have an impact on changing your mood as well as how your endocrine, immune, and nervous systems are working. Enjoy and protect nature for your own wellbeing.

Health Benefits Granted by Forests and Nature

In 1982, a term was coined for the benefits of enjoying time outside in green spaces, nature, and, particularly, forests: the Japanese word shinrin-yoku, which means forest bathing. One study had researchers discovering that 2/3 of people select a natural setting for a retreat when stressed. This is because, regardless of culture or age, humans simply find nature pleasing. And our bodies are no exception. A variety of health benefits are enjoyed by those who spend some time among trees and out in the wilderness or in green spaces.

Immune System Boost

When we breathe the fresh air of the forest or simply of the outdoors, we inhale phytoncides. These are airborne chemicals given off by plants to defend themselves from insects. These chemicals have antifungal and antibacterial qualities that help plant life fight disease. When we breathe in phytoncides, our bodies answer with the increase of activity and number of a variety of white blood cell known as natural killer cells. These cells kill virus- and tumor-infected cells that lurk in our bodies. A study showed the increased natural killer cell activity from a three day, two night trip of forest bathing lasted for longer than thirty days. Researchers in Japan are even exploring whether forest bathing can assist in preventing particular kinds of cancer.

Blood Pressure Lowering, Stress Reduction, and Mood Improvement

A variety of studies reveal that spending time in forests, whether it is exercising or simply sitting while looking at trees, reduces blood pressure in addition to the stress-related hormones adrenaline and cortisol. Even looking at images of trees has a comparable, if less dramatic, impact. Studies that examined the same activities in unplanted urban areas showed no comparable reduction of effects that are stress related. Researchers using the Profile of Mood States test found that trips dedicated to forest bathing significantly lowered the scores for depression, confusion, anxiety, anger, and fatigue.

Increase to Ability to Focus

With family life, school, and jobs, our lives seem to be busier than ever. Trying to multitask by focusing on several activities at once, or even an individual task for long stretches of time can be a mental drain on us, a phenomenon that is known as Directed Attention Fatigue. Looking at plants, birds, water, and other features of nature while spending time in it gives the brain’s cognitive portion a break, permitting us to better focus while renewing our capacity for patience.

Surgery or Illness Recovery Acceleration

Patients in the hospital may be under stress from a wide gamut of factors that includes fear, pain, and disruption of the ordinary routine. Research has discovered that patients who have green views of trees or plants experience a variety of benefits. These include shorter postoperative stays, experiencing fewer postsurgical complications, and taking fewer painkillers compared to those patients who experienced a view of a cement wall or no view at all.

Leave No Trace

People in the U.S. clearly value outdoor exploration. In 2016, a full 330 million people were visitors to our national parks, which is an all-time record. The popularity of our national parks and public lands is great for both support and awareness but there is a price attached to all that attention: the foot traffic has a physical toll on the parks’ land and their ecosystems. This is why the principles of Leave No Trace exist; these seven steps help to minimize the impact we have on public lands. Enjoy nature without harming it with these steps.

Prepare and Plan Ahead

Be aware of the special concerns and regulations for the area you are visiting. Prepare for such eventualities as extreme weather, emergencies, and hazards. Schedule your journey to avoid those times when use is highest. When possible, visit in smaller groups. If your group is large, consider breaking it into smaller groups. Use a compass and map rather than marking paint, flagging, or rock cairns. Finally, repackage food to minimize waste.

Utilize Durable Surfaces

Travel and camp on those surfaces that are most durable; this includes established campsites and trails, gravel, rock, snow, or dry grasses. Protect areas that are riparian by camping a minimum of 200 feet from streams and lakes. Remember that good campsites are not made but found.

Properly Dispose of Waste

Heed the principle of pack it in, pack it out. Double check your campsite and areas of rest for spilled foods and trash. Pack out every bit of trash, litter, and leftover food. When it comes to human waste, use catholes. These should be dug between six to eight inches deep and located a minimum distance of 200 feet from lakes or streams. Urinate at the same sort of distances, and try for rocks or dry land in sunny spots where animals will be less drawn to it. Use only small amounts of biodegradable soap. Strain your dishwater through a filter such as a bandana and scatter the remaining dishwater in sunny areas where the sun will quickly cause it to evaporate.

Take Nothing

You can preserve the past by examining, without touching, historic or cultural structures and artifacts. While you might find interesting and unique rocks or other natural objects, leave them where you find them. Take only pictures. Avoid the introduction or transportation of non-native species to avoid causing future catastrophes. Also, resist the temptation to build furniture, structures, or to dig trenches.

Minimize Campfire Impacts

A campfire can cause a lasting impact on the surrounding environment. Instead, use a lightweight stove for cooking and utilize a candle lantern so you have a source of light. Where fires are permitted and preferable, make use of established fire rings, mound fires, or fire pans. Keep your fires small. Make use of only those sticks from the ground that can be easily broken by hand. In the end, burn all coals and wood to ash, put the campfire out completely, and when the ashes are cool, scatter them.

Respect the Wildlife

While it is amazing to observe wildlife at a distance, do not bother them by following or approaching them. Do not ever feed animals. The feeding of wildlife has several negative impacts: it damages their health, exposes them to animals that might prey on them as well as other dangers, and alters natural behaviors. Protect wildlife from eating your food, as well as your food from being eaten, by storing trash and rations securely.

Remember and Be Courteous to Other Visitors

Respect other guests of parks and lands to protect their experience’s quality as well as your own. Be considerate and yield the trail to other users. Take breaks away from other visitors and trails, and do the same with your camping. Avoid loud noises to let nature’s music prevail.

Use the Right Tools

Visit the site for GoraLiv to find the right tools for the tasks of camping and hiking. With the right tools, you can make a minimal impact. Remember conservation and leaving the least amount of sign of your presence as possible.

Most of us have a sense that spending time in nature is just all-around good for us. The rush and bustle of normal life are put aside for the rustle of leaves, the flutter of sunlight through a forest canopy, the sound of water flowing. Even five minutes spent in green spaces and around trees can improve health. We can treat it as a prescription that lacks negative side effects and has no cost, and so it is vital to enjoy and protect nature. By following these principles we can enjoy nature without harming it.