By Emily Hansen, University of Minnesota Extension
We all have a connection to the outdoors. Whether that connection is through the food you eat, the foundation your house sits on, or your walk to and from your car every day, nature is a prevalent part of your life. Our environment is precious. It provides us with the water we drink and the soil we grow food from, but what if it provided a psychological benefit to us?
The world we live in today provides us with a life of ease. We can go to the grocery and buy food instead of hunting and gathering. We can turn on the sink and instantly have clean drinking water. Even though we live a life of ease in the United States, life expectancy rates are at an all-time low.
The combination of stress, little exercise, and eating poorly contributes to unhappiness. One of the reasons why there is a struggle is that we are less connected to nature. A good portion of our days are spent watching television, working on the computer, and scrolling through social media on our phones. Nature has the power to heal and finding a way to reconnect will help us to deal with the modern anxieties of life.
As humans, we have an innate urge to connect with other forms of life. Gardeners have a passion for connecting with plants and pet owners have a love for their animals. Science tells us that humans have co-evolved with plants throughout time. Plants were a part of survival through food and shelter, but they also were spiritually and mentally beneficial. When we tap into this urge to connect with nature, it can help soothe modern anxieties.