An article in National Trust magazine (which unfortunately I can't find online) urges us to go back to nature for the good of our health, both physical and mental.
"Just watch children playing outdoors on logs and in streams and you can see that they are not doing it to promote their health but because they love it." the article states. In other words humans, in their most unspoilt state, have an affinity with nature
"The natural environment has a powerful effect on us to become less stressed. In fact the changes in brain waves can be measured, showing an increase in alpha waves that indicate more calm. Children become less hyperactive, can concentrate better and play more independently with greater balance. They develop a lifelong ability to connect with nature, but only if they are allowed to play freely in streams and woods before the age of 12. After this the effect rapidly diminishes."
The good news is that the concept of the Natural Health Service is being developed in England and Scotland to supplement care provided by the NHS.
In the meantime there is plenty we can do as individuals. BBC Breathing Places encourages everyone to do one thing for nature. My favourites include:
- Wake up to bird song
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Feed hedgehogs and other small mammals
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Give bats a place to roost by putting up a bat box
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Turn your household waste into compost
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Make your cat wildlife friendly
Back to nature, indeed. We haven't been out for a hike for ages... too busy with life.
You offer some good suggestions. We don't have hedgehogs or bats around here, but we do have racoons and wild rabbits!
Blessings!
Posted by: e-Mom | 15 October 2009 at 06:23 AM