By Vanessa Cort

RECENTLY, in the mental health segment of the US NBC News show, experts talked about the way nature and natural surroundings could be beneficial for a person’s mental health. And in a subsequent programme psychologists spoke of taking consultations outdoors to parks and other scenic areas, where patients could feel more relaxed.

The general consensus was that the presence of flowers, trees and natural vegetation had a calming and even healing effect on individuals with mental health issues.

The US Mental Health Foundation says, “Research shows that nature is crucial for our mental and physical health. Our relationship with nature significantly contributes to good mental health and well-being”.

And nature is defined as ‘green’ and ‘blue’ spaces like parks and forests, rivers and beaches. However, it can include trees in urban areas or houseplants in your home. It has even been found that watching documentaries on nature can benefit our mental health.

Nature is all around us. But many of us go about our daily lives without paying heed to the natural beauty in our environment.

In this country, where ‘greenery ‘ – in the form of trees and even small forested areas between housing plots – are commonplace, we have an advantage not afforded to those living in countries where green space comes at a premium.

Within our city limits there are grass and tree-lined streets, fruit trees in yards, flower and kitchen gardens, playgrounds and, on a larger scale, the Botanical and Promenade Gardens – the former housing the zoo.

Bird and animal life are rife in towns and in the countryside and I, for one, am woken up every morning in my daughter’s city home, by the sound of birds whistling in trees near our bedroom window.
Here I am reminded of the words of the Bob Marley song, ‘ Three little birds’. The singer tells of waking up one morning, smiling with the rising sun and hearing three birds outside ‘saying’, “Don’t worry about a thing”.

He was really telling of his connection with nature and the way it made him feel, freeing him from worry. This feeling of well-being is borne out by research which has shown that connecting with nature helps to lower levels of mental stress, such as depression and anxiety

According to the Mental Health Foundation, “…people with a strong connection with nature are typically happier in life, as nature can generate many happy emotions including calmness, joy and creativity.”

Farmers and gardeners alike can testify to the joy they feel when their plants grow and flourish. Many actually talk to their plants, claiming to see improvement. It is not that the plants understand language, but rather that they respond to the positive vibrations in the words.

Says, Dominique Hes, a leading horticulturist, “Plants probably don’t hear like we do…But some research shows that speaking nicely to plants will support their growth…however, this may have more to do with vibration and volume”.

So, it seems that connecting with nature may not only benefit us but our plants as well. Stopping to admire or breathe the scent of flowers, stroking the bark of a tree or just being aware of our natural environment, can contribute to our mental well-being.

And, Tim Pickles, an Australian horticulturist, asserts, “Whether you believe that plants benefit from conversation, we cannot deny there’s something in it for us. The therapeutic effects of plants and gardening have been widely documented – benefits including boosting our mood, sharpening our focus and lowering out stress levels”.

The Greek pholosopher, Aristotle said, “In all things of nature there is something marvelous “.

And monk and sage, Buddha, put it this way, “If you wish to know the divine, feel the wind on your face and the warm sun on your hand”.