If a weight lifts off your chest the moment you step into a park or go for a walk along the coastline to take in the views, you’re closely tied to Mother Earth and appreciate the blissful simplicity and captivating calmness of the surroundings. You’re not sure if this is normal, but it’s a tremendous gift that you cherish for as long as you live. Just so you know, humans are inherently inclined genetically to be smitten with nature, meaning we have an instinctive tendency to seek connections with the natural world, which leads to positive emotions and revival.
Nature is so powerful it can affect our mental health, travel plans, hobbies, and even our home environments, so the decline of interaction with the natural world as a result of urbanization, technological advances, and other factors can have negative effects on our well-being. Besides well-being effects, a link to Mother Earth contemplates pre-environmental attitudes and behaviors, in essence, touching every aspect of human life. Nature doesn’t have to be an epic adventure to be meaningful (or memorable), and if you spend too much time indoors, it risks becoming the backdrop of your daily life, as trivial as the billboards or telephone poles that decorate the city.
The Most Powerful Evidence of The Connection to Nature Comes from Studies of Biophilia
Rather than a theory, there’s proof humans and nature are inseparably coupled, and biophilia studies are the most powerful evidence we know. The distinguished psychologist Erich Fromm supposedly came up with the concept of “biophilia”, describing it as the passionate love of life and all that’s alive, later used by biologist Edward O. Wilson, who highlighted our affinity for giving importance and value to Mother Earth. Put simply, our responses are the consequence of evolution in a world where a connection to nature made survival possible, so we had to maintain a close relationship with the surroundings, using sights and sounds as cues.
In Some Cases, Genes Play an Important Role in Determining Behavior
Richard Fuller, a professor at the University of Queensland, says genetics can influence our relationship with the natural world, even if life experiences shape our attitudes and behaviors, and it’s precisely this unique combination that forms our identity. It explains why some people try to approach or go back to nature, talking about simpler times, while others are instinctively repulsed by the idea of spending time in the wilderness. Genes carry instructions that make it more likely for you to become a nature-loving person, so you may seek out more opportunities to get in touch with the natural world, like planting Mephisto seeds and watching them grow.
The physical traits and behaviors you’re born with, not to mention what you go through in life, impact your experiences, and your experiences influence your characteristics. That’s to say, the relationship between your genes and behavior can change with time as you embrace new experiences, and there’s no way to tell how much of an influence genes can have on your behavior. What we know for sure is that an ever-increasing number of people are living in cities, which is associated with more mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia, so it’s important to bring nature closer to urban areas or the other way around.
Tune Into Nature for Growth and Renewal with These Simple Steps
Nature can generate wonder and awe, whether it’s a beautiful landscape or a giant ocean wave, so take a moment to pause and appreciate the grandeur of the universe, forgetting all your worries and problems. Like every other part of your life, it’s important to give time and attention to Mother Earth and attune yourself to the place you call home. But how? Let’s see, shall we?
Bond With Your Houseplants When You’re at Home
Adding a touch of greenery to your living space helps alleviate stress and anxiety, promotes healthier air quality, and cultivates a sense of purpose. Even though it’s more time-intensive, you can grow cannabis as a houseplant on a window or patio using autoflowering seeds, and in case you’re wondering what is autoflower seeds, they’re seeds that flower automatically at a certain age, irrespective of adequate light cycles. It’s fun to pet and touch the leaves, but many plants don’t like handling too much, so avoid unnecessary contact as much as possible to prevent your plant from getting stressed.
Walk Along the Grass and Not the Concrete Path
If you want to get more of a workout, try walking barefoot on the grass to return to challenge the status quo of wearing shoes and rediscover your surroundings. The energy will nourish your mind, body, and soul. More and more people are sharing their shoeless journeys on the Internet, so why not rediscover your own path to nature and embrace your role as a custodian of Mother Earth? In your bustling life filled with technology, urban landscapes, and digital distractions, nothing can compare to the feeling of walking in the grass barefoot, which gives you a sense of liberation. Of course, you’ll come across hornets, bees, snakes, slugs, and other creations during your adventure that you really don’t want to step on.
Allow Yourself Some Time in The Sun
Last but certainly not least, boost your vitamin D levels by spending more time outside, preferably 10 to 30 minutes at least twice a week, to avoid ultraviolet radiation, that’s a powerful attack on the skin. Exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the brain’s release of a hormone called serotonin, which touches on mood, appetite, and sleep, so spend your days outdoors at the beach or pool or late afternoon grilling. Nature’s been a source of healing and rejuvenation for millennia, offering soothing experiences for people across cultures and geographies.
Your body responds positively to natural stimuli, and your mind calms down in the presence of sunlight, so take a walk in the park or sunbathe in your backyard to enhance overall health and well-being.
