The Healing Power of Nature

I read an interesting article this week in Elite Daily:  People Who Appreciate Nature are Happier, Healthier and More Innovative.

Reading this item has made me more determined than ever to keep on hiking. The benefits include physical and mental well being. The chapter headings included:  Nature reduces stress and helps us find meaning; Walking in nature strengthens our immune systems and our muscles; Our minds become sharper and more inventive after spending time in nature.

I had planned to do something special on Tuesday, but I was so lacking in energy and motivation that day. So we stayed home and didn't venture out except to do a few errands. In talking to some of my friends, I discovered that it seemed to be a common feeling that day. Maybe there was something in the air...maybe it was barametric pressure...maybe it was pollen...who knows?

So by the time Saturday came around we were ready to get out and make some discoveries. I had been thinking for a while about visiting the Grounds for Sculpture.  I had heard about this place several years ago and had been encouraged to give it a visit in the spring time. We left after lunch and drove 30 minutes north to Hamilton, NJ. 

It was a beautiful place. It wasn't really wild nature, but an example of the creativity of people made in the image of God, the Creator. The statutes were very interesting and creative and the grounds were pleasing to the eyes with lots of yellow iris, azaleas, lilacs, roses, poppies, and many different varieties of trees and bushes.

Those ducks in the water are not real - and neither are my buddies!

That was really enjoyable and such a pleasant day, too. We had long sleeved shirts on and were quite comfortable.

I thought today was going to be quite a bit hotter. But maybe because we went to the woods earlier in the afternoon, or maybe because we were in the woods, it was again quite pleasant. We tried out another park we had not been to before:  The Michael Huber Prairie Warbler Preserve. This was quite different from our experience yesterday but not unlovely. The trail was wide and easy through lots of greenery and mountain laurel.

And we found some water at the end of the trail.

It was a varied forest with areas of brush and greenery, then other areas of dead wood still upright, pointing to the blue sky.

One part of the article I read mentioned that "there is widespread evidence that chemicals emitted by plants, known as phytoncides (wood essential oils), help strengthen the immune systems of humans who are exposed to them. Plants emit phytoncides to protect themselves from insects and rotting. A study from the Nippon Medical School in Tokyo found when humans breathe in these chemicals it increases the number of natural kill cells, a type of white blood cell, in our bodies."

Even if I had never read this article, I would know just by experience, that hiking is good for us. I feel so much better after being out in nature. 

So here's my advice:  if someone tells you to "go take a hike," just do it!