Physical Health
"Take care of your body, it's the only place you have to live"
Jim Rohn
When we refer to Physical health, we are refering to the physical body and how well, or not, our physical functions and processors are operating. If all of these are working as they should be, and our bodily systems such as digestion, neurological, respiratory etc are optimally working, then we can say we have optimal physical health.
At any age, and for a multitude of reasons, our physical health can become impaired and when it does it can catch us off guard. We can all be guilty of not thinking too much about our physical health when all is working properly, but when physical symptoms or disease strikes, it suddenly becomes a primary concern.
Nature can have a significant impact on physical health in a variety of ways. Even just immerision within nature settings has been shown to cause physiological changes in the body that improve our health and have specific physical benefits.
The endless array of medicinal plants, fungi and tree chemicals that are either already used in oral and topical medicines or have been used for centuries in traditional medicine and certain cultures for medicnal purposes are endless too. If you know where to look and have the knowledge of how to elicit the best effects from nature, then nature provides a very rich medicne cabinet for all sorts of physical health ailmnets and symptoms.
So How Can Nature Improve Your Physical Health?
Reduces muscle tension
Can reduce inflammation
Improves tolerance to pain
Reduces production of certain stress hormones
Improves sleep quality
Improves Functioning of the immune system
Reduces heart rate
Reduces Blood pressure
Improves memory and cognitive functions
Respiratory Health
Female Health & Hormones
Immune Health / Immunity
Cardiovascular Health
Digestive / Bowel Health
Pain & Inflammation
How Being Around Water Positively Impacts Your Health
Most of us are aware of the importance and significance of water when it comes to maintaining good health, however this tends to be in relation to drinking it.
Science is just discovering that water actually plays a much larger part in maintaining both physical and mental health than many would ever believe. In fact so much so that science has given this area of study a name and it is refereed to as ‘Blue Mind’ science and water based environments are known as ‘blue spaces’.
Scientists don’t yet know exactly why being around water has shown to have numerous physical and mental health benefits, but it probably shouldn’t come as a great surprise given that the human body is made of approximately 60% water, with the brain and heart around 73% water and the lungs about 83% water.
Many people are drawn to water, whether that be the ocean, rivers, lakes or a tranquil stream and any of these blue spaces elicit health benefits.
Water provides fantastic benefits for mental health and we know if mental health is good, this has a direct positive impact on our physical health too.
Neuroscientists have found that just the sight and sound of water induces a rush of neurochemicals in the body that promote wellness and a sense of immediate calm and tranquility. It has also shown to reduce our stress hormone cortisol, which explains why feelings of stress are reduced when in blue spaces.
The presence of water has also shown to increase blood flow to the brain and heart and induce a state of relaxation and calmness. This is also the case when physically in water too. This may go some way to explain the surge in popularity in wild swimming, which has also been shown to elicit these similar benefits, but even just paddling in water has befits.
Physically being in water allows us to physically connect with nature and bridge that disconnect with nature that is rampant in today’s modern world.
It seems that the common thought that water really is life’s elixir, is true in more ways than previously thought. If you want to feel happier, less depressed, less stressed, lower your blood pressure and heart rate and generally feel ‘wellness’, then water offers a proven therapeutic benefit. So if you haven’t being immersed in a ‘blue space’ recently, find one near you. Your body and mind will thank you!
'Nature is the best physician'
Hippocrates
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