Why Can Nature Calm Us Down?

For people who live in big cities with multi-storey buildings, it is almost impossible to enjoy the green scenery, blue sea or cool mountain atmosphere every day. On the other hand, the busyness and routine of every day always seems to require fast-paced self-performance, so taking a short break and staying away from routine things is part of the greatest hope. It is almost difficult for people in big cities to interact and feel connected to nature. In fact, interactions with nature are proven to be able to improve the quality of one's mental well-being.

Regis Machdy in his book Loving the Wounded Soul: Reasons and Purpose of Depression Present in Human Life states that modern life in dense and complex urban areas tends to increase the likelihood of mental disorders in a person. One of the causes is the lack of green land in urban areas (urban areas) that can refresh the eyes and soul. Why does green land not only refresh the eyes, but also the soul?

Humans Are Naturally Connected to Nature

Humans since the time of evolution naturally have a special attachment to nature. This is because early humans spent more than 99.99% of their life time in nature. This is what makes us feel attached to nature because our psychological functions are best adjusted when in nature. The term commonly used is connection with nature. The connection with nature is a human psychological characteristic where humans have a sense of attachment and the potential to build interactions with nature that can affect their happiness and well-being. Scientific research has much to say about the beneficial relationship between humans and nature. The existence of nature is also known to have a positive impact on psychological, physiological and human behavior.

Interestingly, people living in urban areas who tend to have fewer opportunities to enjoy nature directly not only result in lower levels of natural attachment than people who are frequently exposed to nature. This is partly due to the view that the level of a person's relationship is influenced by experiences and the culture adopted during childhood. Based on this, differences in a person's relationship with nature are not automatically measured based on where he lives. A study also explains that the relationship of nature is not only related to individuals who love nature or only enjoy the existence of nature, but also the awareness and understanding of nature itself.

Positive Impact of Human Relations with Nature

Many natural relationships are associated with positive psychology which aims to improve one's well-being. Based on research, it is stated that attachment to nature can help a person improve their mental health. Among them help reduce stress levels, improve positive moods such as feelings of happiness and comfort, and are able to reduce negative emotions such as anxiety. In the cognitive realm, someone who is connected to nature tends to be more focused, productive, and able to better reflect problems in everyday life.

In addition, having a sense of attachment to nature can help one understand the awareness of protecting the environment. In a study it was also stated that good interactions with nature will increase a person's desire for outdoor activities. This has a positive impact not only on mental health, but also on physical health. With the many activities in the open, one can breathe fresh air and rich in oxygen, get good microbial exposure, and can improve social skills when activities in nature are spent together with the closest people.

How Can Modern Societies Stay Connected to Nature?

What about the conditions of the people who live in cities that are densely built? The distance between people living in urban areas and the open world ultimately creates a gap between humans and nature. Those of us who live in cities with very urban environments are the cause of increased stress levels and decreased physiological functions as humans. However, the following things can help us to stay connected to nature, even though living in an urban environment.

• Extending our reach and sharpening our senses of the natural surroundings

Expanding here can mean paying more attention to nature through our five senses. For example, stop for a moment to just enjoy the blowing wind, enjoy the atmosphere of the day such as looking at the blue sky, watching the sun at sunrise or sunset, looking at the trees around our office or house. This can help us to stay happy because we are connected to nature.

• Visit several artificial nature locations

Parks, lakes, gardens, or urban forests can be options so that we can stay connected to nature directly.

• Caring for plants

Keeping plants at home or even in the room where we are active can also help us feel connected and close to nature.

• Take advantage of the devices we have

The last way, although indirectly, is that we can play videos about nature or take advantage of pictures of green landscapes, blue skies, beach views with white sand that are available on the internet and can be used as decorations or wallpapers.

Many people feel bored with busy, busy, complex and boring routines. Many people then complain of stress, backaches, headaches, irritability, sensitivity and fatigue.

If we are one of them, maybe it is time for us to start restructuring our relationship as humans with the natural environment. Maybe it's time for us to rebuild our attachment to nature that has long been neglected. Because, we as humans actually cannot be separated from nature. We have a tendency to always come back to nature because nature can soothe.