One focus of this website is the relationship between the natural world and the pursuit of rest or stress relief.
I came across recent scientific research, including some conducted by Edinburgh University, into the effect of environment on those suffering with stress, which concluded:
“It appears that contact with natural environments promotes psychological restoration,
improved mood, improved attention and reduced stress and anxiety.*
improved mood, improved attention and reduced stress and anxiety.*
“Even short-term visits to nature areas have positive effects on perceived stress relief
compared to built-up environment.**
compared to built-up environment.**
It seems that the natural world is officially a great stress-buster.
The benefits of getting outside are enhanced by the Christian perspective. To engage with creation invites us into an encounter with its Maker.
Check out these verses.....
The benefits of getting outside are enhanced by the Christian perspective. To engage with creation invites us into an encounter with its Maker.
Check out these verses.....
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.
Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities--
His eternal power and divine nature.
So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
[Romans 1:20 NLT]
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
[Psalm 19:1-4]
Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.
[Isaiah 6:3]
The earth is filled with your love, LORD; teach me your decrees.
[Psalm 119:64]
LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory in the heavens.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
[Psalm 8:1,3,4]
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
[Psalm 65:8]
Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities--
His eternal power and divine nature.
So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
[Romans 1:20 NLT]
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
[Psalm 19:1-4]
Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.
[Isaiah 6:3]
The earth is filled with your love, LORD; teach me your decrees.
[Psalm 119:64]
LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory in the heavens.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
[Psalm 8:1,3,4]
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
[Psalm 65:8]
Now that the days are lengthening, snowdrops are blooming, and spring is tiptoeing in, let’s make plans to get out at regular intervals into the garden, town or country park, hills or beaches. It will do us good - physically, emotionally, mentally & spiritually!
Sources:
*Studies by Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989; Ulrich et al, 1991; Hartig et al, 2003; Grahn and Stigsdotter, 2003; Ottosson and Grahn, 2005; Maas et al, 2009; Barton and Pretty, 2010; Roe and Aspinall, 2011. Landscape and Urban Planning, April 2012
**http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272494413000959
*Studies by Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989; Ulrich et al, 1991; Hartig et al, 2003; Grahn and Stigsdotter, 2003; Ottosson and Grahn, 2005; Maas et al, 2009; Barton and Pretty, 2010; Roe and Aspinall, 2011. Landscape and Urban Planning, April 2012
**http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272494413000959
RESOURCES
Check out the following pages on this site:
For those who would like to delve further into recent research, there are interesting lecture videos from Professor Catharine Ward Thompson of Edinburgh University on the following link:
http://www.openspace.eca.ed.ac.uk/resources/videos-and-audio/
Take action this week, even 10 minutes a day in a green space has an effect!
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