Today’s humans still have bodies and bodies were not built for whole cities filled with technology like smart cities. As recently as 10 years ago, entire cities had no technology at all—just wide-open landscapes (or forests!), peaceful environments (not just quieters), with only 2 creatures to distrub you: a bird and a deer or 2.
The fact is that we were designed to exist in places that are somewhat similar to what we see today when we look out over the horizon; we were meant to have a peaceful existence without the hustle and bustle of life all around us.
There was only one way for us to know when something bad was happening (or might be going to happen): when we saw it.
With today’s technology, we never know when a bad moment is going to happen—even if we see what could be happening here and around the world!
Our bodies were designed for long, prolonged periods of peace; now they are being forced to continue reacting to every little email and twitter update as though it were a crisis.
That’s why people wake up after sleeping 8 hours feeling tired and gross—because their bodies never had a moment of peace!
The things that cities cannot do, nature does.
Nature will constantly let your body know that You Are Safe, without any messages, bright lights, and endless noise; instead, you are surrounded by vastness, rhythms and slow movements.
It is in nature that the stress response system is finally able to relax; as you take deeper breaths, your thoughts begin to simplify and slow down and your tense muscles begin to relax without you necessarily realising it. So, you are not “trying” to relax, but rather, relaxing will occur automatically.
This is why short visits to the oceans and mountain ranges and forests and lakes can provide a refreshing experience.
All studies have shown us that we do not operate well when subjected to constant stimulation. The natural human body uses pauses to recharge. Nature provides those pauses naturally.
Green Spaces are not simply a nice place to look at; they are also a “maintenance mode” for your brain. Without access to Green Spaces, the stress pathways in your brain can remain active for long periods of time. That is when health issues such as mental fatigue, inflammation, burnout develop, and so on.
Although our modern lifestyle may be much easier and more comfortable than ever before, our bodies are continuously struggling to adjust to this modern lifestyle.
Why “Healing Journeys” Have Legitimate Value
The desire for a retreat into nature is not a sign of weakness or following a fad, but rather the embodiment of instinct for the body to do so, despite the absence of enough time in an appointment schedule.
When individuals return from trips to nature saying that they are “recharged,” it is not simply a metaphorical expression, it is an example of biological processes resetting themselves.
There is a significant decrease in outside interference by way of noise and input. In nature, there is also an increased opportunity to simply “be”.
Nature can be a source of support for the nervous system, but ultimately, it alone will not “alleviate” your life’s issues. However, nature provides the nervous system with a rare resource: Time for Recovery.
Thus, if you travel to mountains, or beaches, or forests, or rural areas and feel relaxed, mentally clear and emotionally lighter, it is not simply a coincidence; rather, it is a physiological recognition that the body’s ideal place is in nature.
