Exposure to Nature Can Help Prevent and Heal Adrenal Fatigue and Autoimmune Disorders.

When stress, anxiety and other negative emotions are chronic, they begin to disrupt the natural process of the body, and the immune system starts to become impaired. Excess cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenals when you are under stress, negatively affects the digestive and immune system. Leading to the wear and tear on the body where serious health problems can result.

Taking care of the immune system is the most holistic way to the best care of the body possible. The immune system can easily be made healthier with simple lifestyle changes, such as nutrition, stress management, and supplements. However, did you know that nature can also boost your immune system? It is now a scenically proven fact that you can utilize nature to counteract the effects of stress and heal and prevent chronic illness and autoimmune disorders. 

​A growing body of research is now demonstrating that exposure to nature or its elements can result in beneficial effects, including but not limited to improved cognition and psychological well-being, lowered blood pressure, reduced stress, and faster healing. In fact, a simple view of nature out of a window can help patients heal faster. For example, in one study, patients recovering from gallbladder surgery that had a view of trees outside their windows recovered more quickly than patients whose windows faced a brick wall.

​More importantly, research shows that nature also has a positive effect on your immune system. When the immune system is strengthened, the entire body becomes strengthened as well, this, in turn, can help you overcome adrenal fatigue and other chronic conditions like autoimmune disorders. 

​“One day spent in the wilderness increases the number of our natural killer cells in the blood by 40 percent on average. If you spend two days in a row in a wooded area, you can raise the number of your natural killer cells by more than 50 percent,” states Clemens G. Arvay in his book, The Biophilia Effect. What is more impressive is that research shows that those who spent just one day in the forest will have more natural killer cells in their bodies for seven days after, even if they did not go back during that time. ​

Other studies on the effects of nature on our well-being have shown:

• Walking in the forest decreases blood glucose levels of type 2 diabetics. Moreover, merely being present in the forest lowers blood sugar.
• Nature alleviates pain, even if only observed by a window. In fact, a significant reduction of pain was observed even if the images of nature are transmitted via movies, pictures, or sound recordings.
• A simple view of trees in hospitals reduces postoperative complications.
• The presence of a houseplant can improve recovery after surgery and reduce the need for painkillers.
• Walking in the forest drastically lowers stress hormone levels.
• Regularly spending time in nature protects against sleep problems.

• Sunlight enhances the release of serotonin, “the happy hormone.” Serotonin is known to promote feelings of peace, serenity, and satisfaction. It also eliminates anxiety, aggression, and excessive worry.
• In senior citizen and geriatric homes, residents who regularly spent time in gardens need fewer painkillers and antidepressants.
• Nature supports heart health. Scientists in Japan and Korea demonstrated that walking in the woods as well as passively observing nature reduces blood pressure and calms the heartbeat.
• DHEA, a hormone produced in the adrenals, is enhanced when spending time in nature. This hormone is considered a “heart protector” substance as well as a precursor to both male and female sex hormones.

Additionally, a technique named earthing, also known as grounding, can promote health. It is based on scientific research that demonstrated that connecting to earth’s electrical energy supports physical well-being. In particular, it has an impressive positive effect on lowering inflammation. 

​Additionally, in 2004 the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine reported, “Earthing during sleep resynchronizes cortisol secretion more in alignment with its natural, normal rhythm.” Other studies also reported numerous positive results, including the following: improved sleep, decreased pain and inflammation, reduced feelings of stress, and improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms.

​Earthing can be very simple and affordable, and it can be achieved in many ways: standing, sitting, lying, or walking with direct skin contact with the ground. It is as simple as finding a piece of earth or going to the beach, kicking off your shoes, and spending twenty to thirty minutes in contact with the earth. There are also earthing products such as shoes and bedsheets as a convenient alternative to maintain contact with the earth during work, rest, or sleep.

Isn’t this wonderful news?! I hope this inspires you to go for a daily walk outdoors - and if is too cold where you live, you can instead buy indoor plants or watch nature videos on YouTube. Now we know It is good for your Health!

Until next week!
​Toni