10 ways to use nature for healing

Most people don’t realise that we have a free healing resource right outside our doors – nature. We already utilise the environment for our survival needs on a daily basis; food, water, shelter, air and medicine but when it comes to utilising it for the purposes of increasing our happiness and healing it’s an untapped resource.

Simply looking at nature for five minutes has been scientifically proven to reduce pain, stress and anxiety. Spending an hour in the great outdoors improves memory and concentration by 20 per cent. That’s in addition to calming the nervous system and reducing blood pressure – just to name a few benefits.

In short, the environment does a heck of a lot of good for us. All we need to do is make the effort to harness its power. Below are my top 10 tips for healing with nature.

1. Spend time in it

Being in nature has immediate beneficial effects. It activates a primal area in the brain which takes us out of stress mode and into relaxation mode. Take a stroll in a park, head to the beach, immerse yourself in a forest – it will do wonders.

2. Physically connect to ‘Earth’ yourself

Physically touching the Earth allows it to pass on negative ions to neutralise our bodies. When we spend too much time indoors and on our screens, our bodies develop a positive charge. Without spending time in nature, we have no way of releasing that charge which can leave us feeling worked up and anxious. This process is known as ‘earthing’ and only takes 20 minutes to implement.

3. Bring nature indoors

If you are unable to spend much time outdoors you can still benefit from nature whilst being inside. Place indoor plants in rooms to soak up dense energy and raise the vibration. Open the doors and windows to let the sunlight and fresh air in to cleanse spaces. Ensure there are places inside to enjoy the views of the trees and natural landscapes. Even placing photos of nature around the space will improve the way you feel.

4. Get dirty

There are microbes in the soil which stimulate serotonin production when humans come into contact with them. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that helps to lift our moods and reduce anxiety. This can easily be implemented with a simple activity such as gardening.

5. Invite wildlife back into your yard

Animals have a therapeutic effect on people (hence therapy animals in hospitals and aged care facilities). So much so, that there is now an entire scientific field dedicated to understanding the benefits of the human-animal connection. We can invite more wildlife into our yards by planting a variety of native and local plants, leaving water out for insects and birds, installing animal friendly fences that they can use to get in and out of, placing habitat boxes in trees and creating numerous different habitat options for animals (i.e. rocks, leaf litter, ponds) and much more.

6. Eat from nature

Vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts are incredibly nutritious and contain large amounts of life force energy in comparison to other foods. Unprocessed foods allow the body to digest them easily, ensuring that all of the nutrients they hold can be absorbed. Eating natural food gives you high amounts of energy and enables the body to function at full capacity. It’s just another way that nature helps and heals us.

7. Sound therapy

Because humans evolved in nature, our brains are still wired as if we reside out in the elements. One of the benefits of this is that the sounds of many things in the environment actually have a calming effect on us. Think of how the sound of rolling waves in the ocean
makes you feel. How about a beautiful bird song?

8. Use natural products on your body

Whenever possible, use natural products to help ease ailments and nourish your body. Support your body in keeping healthy by only using all natural products.

9. Go on eco adventures

No phones, no televisions, just you and nature. A holiday spent in nature will leave you feeling rejuvenated and ready to face the world again like no other.

10. Recognise and appreciate how nature makes you feel

When you make the effort to notice all the different ways nature makes you feel good, it amplifies the effects so that you can enjoy them even more. It’s just like listening to a song you love on the radio – when it comes on, you know how it is going to make you feel so you turn it up, sing your lungs out and enjoy it even more!

You can get a copy of Mahdi Mason’s book here. 

Have you experienced the healing powers of nature lately? How did it help you?