When faced with emotional wounds, you—modern individuals—tend to turn to parties, shopping, or entertainment as a way to soothe yourselves and regain mental balance amidst the bustling urban life. However, have you ever considered that wandering through a lush forest or quietly gazing at crystal-clear waters could be far more effective?
1. Nature soothes the wounds.
The constant cycles of a busy life and work pressure inevitably lead us to stress and anxiety. Day by day, small instabilities gradually accumulate, resulting in a lack of self-control, impatience, and easy irritability. These are signs of emotional damage, and naturally, a person carrying unhealed wounds may unintentionally inflict harm on those around them.
If there are moments to pause, let us give ourselves the chance to return to nature and reflect on ourselves. Nature helps soothe those wounds, as our minds are freed from the noise of traffic, our emotions are no longer confined by concrete jungles, and the air is not polluted by dust and smoke. When immersed in nature, you experience true peace, breathing in fresh air and feeling the quiet from within your soul.
A study in Japan observed and compared a group of people walking in a city center with those walking in a natural environment. The group in nature had slower, more stable heart rates, better moods, and less stress. Nature is the therapy that helps you feel more at ease, better equipped to face life’s challenges, and fosters positive emotions in your relationships.
2. Greenery Evokes Emotion
Work in big cities constantly agitates your mind, demanding quick decision-making and constant analysis. As a result, you rely more on logic and reasoning, unconsciously numbing your emotions. A simple tip to help balance your thoughts and emotions is to increase the presence of greenery within your view, allowing you to relax more effectively.
A study in the U.S. in the 1990s showed that families with windows facing green gardens tended to live more harmoniously and experienced fewer conflicts than those in enclosed spaces. Living close to nature gives you moments of pause to balance logic and emotion. This is when you allow yourself to set aside distractions and tune in more to your inner thoughts. As a result, you achieve internal balance and can manage your emotions better in relationships.
Do you have greenery in your living or work space?
3. Nature teaches us to live more compassionately.
Humans are inherently born from nature. Every organic and inorganic cell that makes up who you are can be found in any other living being. When you immerse yourself in nature, you stand equal with all living creatures. Unconsciously, you are reminded of non-discrimination, allowing you to perceive things with greater ease.
Nature's ability to foster compassion in humans has been demonstrated in a report by Juyoung Lee, Dacher Keltner—the director of GGSC—and researchers from the University of California, Berkeley. Survey participants were shown various nature photos of differing beauty and asked to fold paper cranes for charity. The more beautiful the nature scene, the more cranes were folded. The conclusion was that we tend to live more compassionately when exposed to more natural beauty. Seek out the wonders of nature as soon as negative emotions start to arise.
The moment you step into nature, you are beginning the process of healing your inner wounds. Only by restoring your inner optimism can you bring fresh energy to your relationships. Listen to your emotions and return to nature when the time is right!
