How Nature Can Help You Deal With The COVID-19 Threat
There’s little doubt we are at war with a deadly, unseen enemy-COVID-19. To protect ourselves and each other from this devastating virus, we must be diligent. We are strongly encouraged to practice social distancing, wear masks in public and washing our hands often. At least 20 seconds of hand washing is recommend.
Sing Happy Birthday to yourself two times. Takes about 20 seconds.
These practices have saved many lives and have helped prevent further spread of the coronavirus and we should continue to do them.
But in what seems contradictory to some, we are also asked to self isolate, to stay in our homes. Yet we are encouraged to get outside and touch the beauty of nature. To take walks and breathe the fresh air.
Some years ago after a 15 hour flight, breathing the same recycled air in the plane, I developed a respiratory illness. It laid me out for two weeks.
It sure made me a believer that sharing an enclosed space with others can be harmful. Especially for long periods of time.
Getting out, seeing the resilience of nature can spark us to reignite our lives with hope. We can reconnect to the importance of recognizing the interdependence of all living things.
This does not mean we should not continue safe practices like social distancing. Many aspects of life contain risk but we need not heighten that risk.
The mental, emotional and physical nourishment of communing with God’s creation is immeasurable. It can have a healing effect to those stressed out and fearful during these uncertain times. Walking among the animals and plant life, breathing in the fresh air and being watched over by an endless sky can benefit us greatly.
Cally Logan, a writer and teacher from Richmond, Virginia, on Crosswalk.com web site describes some of the benefits:
7 Benefits of Connecting with Nature during the COVID-19 Crisis
Benefit 1: Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for your immune system and bone health. It has been proven that spending ten to fifteen minutes in the sun can drastically assist your body’s overall health in disease prevention and strengthening of bones. Olympic teams have considered Vitamin D a “secret weapon” to ensure their teams stay well during the games, and the easiest and most pure way to get Vitamin D is to spend a few minutes outside. Especially in times when building a strong immune system is vital, building up Vitamin D is a great defense to strengthen.
Benefit 2: Mental Health
During times of quarantining, mental health can be at risk. The President expressed in a press conference recently his concerns for the mental health of citizens from feeling isolated from the outside world. Nature can provide a different environment that can prove beneficial for one’s mental health. It is also proven to invoke serotonin to increase in production. Focusing on captivating woodland creatures, the complexities of design of different flora and fauna, or capturing the tender songs of birds help to shift focus from calamities of the world and give that attention to something far more beautiful.
