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Coronavirus lockdown: Can nature help improve our mood?
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https://www.bbc.com/news/health-52479763

At a time when so many of us are facing a heightened sense of threat as well as deep worries about our future, can nature lift our spirits?
"Our current crisis has switched us out of normal existence and into survival mode," says Dr. Anna Jorgensen, who researches the connection between environment and wellbeing at the University of Sheffield. 
With far more people unable to work, or working from home, many have been inspired to explore nature in their neighbourhood as they refocus on their immediate surroundings. As factory and car emissions have declined, there are fewer tiny particles in the air, so it's easier to see beyond built-up areas and to the stars in the night sky. Less city noise also highlights the sounds of birds. There is also greater interest in gardening.

Can experiences in nature help us manage stress and anxiety?
While the impact of experiencing nature on our physical health is less well documented, a wealth of studies have demonstrated the positive effects of the natural world on our mental health. Even a brief nature fix - 10 minutes of wind brushing across our cheek, or the sun on our skin - can lower stress, explains Dr. Mathew White, from the University of Exeter. If we immerse ourselves in beautiful landscapes, like a rich coastline or a wild forest teeming with an array of species, we feel more intense emotions, he adds. Connecting with nature can help us feel happier and more energised, with an increased sense of meaning and purpose, as well as making tasks seem more manageable. Nature-based activities, such as gardening and farming, have been used as part of mental health treatments around the world for centuries.
 
Sounds have a particular power to evoke memory, according to PhD researcher Alex Smalley. Your feelings can be enhanced by listening to recordings of natural sounds, such as crashing waves or squawks of forest birds, after you've experienced them in person or watched a powerful film or programme featuring that landscape.
 
Why does nature have such a positive effect?
Part of nature's power lies in its ability to wash away whatever is provoking a lot of our stress, explains Dr. Daily. Slow movements such as the ripples of water or clouds moving across the sky place effortless demands on our working memory but enough to distract us from spiralling rumination, self-blame and hopelessness. Tending to a plant helps us to appreciate the power we have to nurture, and gives us a sense of achievement when the plant flourishes, which Dr. Jorgensen says is particularly important for those struggling with their mental health. According to Dr. White, the benefits are maximised if we can spend a total of two hours a week connecting with nature. The more senses we use - not only sight and sound but also smell, feel and taste - the greater the benefits. 


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