In today’s fast-paced life, stress is becoming a common but serious problem. Whether it is the worry of job, pressure of studies, or responsibilities of home and family—everyone is struggling with mental fatigue and stress in some way or the other. At such times, we often resort to expensive treatment, therapy or medicines. But if someone tells you that spending just 20 minutes in nature can reduce your stress to a great extent, will you believe it?
You may find this a simple solution, but it is completely based on scientific facts. A detailed study has revealed that if a person spends only 20 to 30 minutes a day in a natural environment—like sitting or walking in a park—then his stress level not only decreases, but he also feels mentally refreshed.
What is this research?
This study focused on those people who are facing stress in their everyday busy life. In the study, it was observed that when people were asked to spend at least 10 minutes at a natural place three times a week, the level of the stress hormone ‘cortisol’ in their body started decreasing.
This research lasted for eight weeks and the participants were given the freedom to choose the time, place and duration as per their convenience. They were only told that they should feel connected with nature at that place.
How was the study conducted?
One special thing about this study was that it was researched keeping in mind real life situations. Participants were asked to go to a green place, garden, park, or any place where they feel that they are in touch with nature.
But during this, some things were clearly stated:
- This experience of nature should be in daylight.
- No aerobic exercise (such as running) should be done during this time.
- Mobile phone, social media, conversation, reading or talking to anyone was completely prohibited.
The purpose of all these things was that the person’s attention should be completely focused on nature and his mental stress can be measured.
What were the results?
A very interesting thing came out in this research-a clear decrease in stress hormones was seen just by spending 20 minutes in nature. But when a person spends between 20 to 30 minutes in nature, the stress level decreases the fastest.
If you spend more time than this, you get more benefits, but their effect becomes a little slow. That is, staying in nature for 20–30 minutes is the most effective “natural dose”.
This research also proved that there is no need to go to any dense forest or mountains to reduce stress. You can get this benefit by sitting or walking in a park or any open area near your house-the only condition is that you feel natural at that place.
What is ‘Nature Pill’?
This research brought forth a new term-“Nature Pill”. This means that just like doctors prescribe medicines for illness, similarly, now doctors can advise you to take “natural supplements” i.e. nature pill for mental stress.
Nature pill means:
- “Spend 20–30 minutes in nature at least three times a week, without any technical or mental distractions.”
- The biggest feature of this nature pill is that:
- It is completely natural.
- It has no side effects.
- It is less expensive or say free.
- You can easily include it in your daily schedule.
Why is it important to connect with nature?
Nowadays most people look at their mobile as soon as they wake up in the morning, then work in front of the screen the whole day and get entangled in social media or TV in the evening. Natural contact is almost ending in our lives, due to which problems like mental stress, anxiety, sleep problems and fatigue are increasing.
By connecting with nature, a person:
- Gets mental peace
- Increases the ability to concentrate
- Increases the energy level in the body
- Improves the quality of sleep
- Develops self-confidence and positivity
All this can be achieved without any medicine, expense or therapy—just by spending some time in the lap of nature.
How to adopt this remedy in urban life?
If you think that you do not live in a village or a natural place, then there is no need to worry. You can adopt this remedy even in urban life. For example:
- Sit in the park for 20 minutes in the morning
- Spend some time in the open near trees during the office lunch break
- In the evening, take a walk in the greenery of the colony without a mobile
- Spend a few minutes among the plants in the balcony
- Your body and mind will themselves tell how effective this time was.
Conclusion
Spending just 20 to 30 minutes a day in nature can be the easiest, safest and most effective way to reduce your stress. This method can not only improve your mental state, but also fill you with freshness. Staying away from digital and urban life for a while and sitting in the lap of nature can perhaps give us the relaxation we need the most. So the next time your stress increases, take a walk in nature instead of medicines.
