Ecotherapy: Happy Earth Day!


Some fascinating research has been published recently regarding the healing power of nature.  When people are asked to walk through a forested path for 20-30 mins (known in Japan as “forest bathing”),  researchers have observed decreased blood pressure values, increased white blood cell count, a decrease of cortisol (the stress hormone) and several other health related aspects measured in the subjects. It only makes sense. We are a part of nature and it is a part of us. Research in the field of circadian rhythms also reveals that when people have exposure to natural sunlight, this exposure has the ability to calibrate the body’s internal clock (also known as biorhythms) for better sleep and several other body functions. The earth’s natural rhythm (7.8 Hz) is said to be the rhythm of homeostasis. This is the vibration of whale songs, waterfalls and other sounds of nature. It appears to be the vibration of health, not found inside one’s homes by the computer.
• Stress Tip For The Day:
Today, in honor of Earth Day, take time to go outside: go for a walk, Listen to the birds, breath in some fresh air, feel the sun on your face and hands, feel the wind in your hair. Make it a point to reconnect with the natural world. Walk softly on the back of Mother Nature. Feel and listen to her vibration of health. Make it a habit to get outside everyday to avoid Nature Deficit Disorder.  Remember, every days is Earth Day!
• Links/Books/Movies Worth Noting:
I would love to recommend a great book I came across called, This is Your Brain on Nature, by Eva Selhub, M.D.
And…here is a link to a great article about ecotherapy in Outside magazine
• Quotes for the Day:
“The success of the original Earth Day was to fix the problems that we could see (e.g., water, air pollution). Now we must fix the problems that we cannot see, but are equally deadly.” —Dennis Hays, Co-founder of the first Earth Day.
• Photo of the Day:
I took this photo while in Sitka, Alaska as I walked through a cathedral forest of Sitka Spruce. Forest bathing indeed. Enjoy!
Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 14 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart, A Beautiful World and Managing Stress (7E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net
© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.
Brian Luke Seaward

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