There is something about stepping through valleys of heather in majestic mountains and swimming in emerald-colored oceans that fills us with joy and rejuvenation. Immersing ourselves in nature is like rediscovering a long-lost treasure. We feel a sense of homecoming, a connection that is both comforting and exhilarating.
In Norway, our deep-rooted connection with nature is not just a personal preference, it's a cultural norm. Field trips to the wilderness are a mandatory part of our school curriculum, and we've even coined a saying that encourages us to embrace the outdoors: Det finnes ikke dårlige vær, bare dårlige klær, which translates to "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing."
We don't know why climbing mountains and marching through moist woodlands have grown to be an essential part of a nation that spends half of the year in the cold darkness, but as modern science continues to strengthen the link between human health and presence in nature, our patriotic heart pounds even stronger for the days spent camping under the sun or fishing in the pouring rain.
Recent metareviews of studies about nature and health show that we extract a bundle of benefits from spending time outdoors, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders, and upticks in empathy and cooperation. Even though most nature-loving explorers don't need science to back up their joyous experiences, we find it fascinating to dive deeper into why most of us think of nature as a healing friend. It could inspire those of us who've started to settle down in the office chair or the sofa at home to go out and plant our feet in the green moss or at least visit a nearby park.
The positive connection between nature and our health is by no means new. In his book Forest Bathing—How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness, Dr. Qing Li writes that the idea that nature is not separate from mankind has always been present in Japanese culture.
For a long time, the Japanese have practiced shinrin yoku, known as forest bathing, and in 1982, it became a part of their national health program. And with good reasons, Dr. Qi Ling's findings show that only walking in the forest for two hours each week can lower blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol, enhance the parasympathetic nervous system, our rest and recovery system, and lift our mood. Through the years, several nationally driven studies in the Eastern country have proved the same: we heal in the presence of nature.
Feeling overwhelmed with the thought of finding time for a two-hour hike after a busy day? Don't fret; we have a solution for you. The two hours can be split into multiple sessions. A recent study conducted on nearly 20,000 adults across the United Kingdom found that the benefits of nature were the same whether they spent a single 120-minute session or spread it out over the week1. So, take a step, even a small one, towards nature, and you'll start reaping the rewards.
Being surrounded by nature is one thing, while being present in nature is another. To smell the air of a moist morning or explore the stability of roots and grass beneath your feet is to engage in a mindful practice. It's completely free of charge and almost always available.
Our relationship with nature is connected to how we view ourselves in context to it and the planet, known as our connectedness to nature, nature-relatedness, and inclusion of nature in self. In a meta-analysis, Alison Pritchard, PhD, ABPP, at the University of Derby in England, and colleagues found that people who feel more connected to nature have greater eudaimonic wellbeing—a type of contentment that goes beyond just feeling good and includes having a meaningful purpose in life2. These findings also correlate to other studies showing how contributing to something bigger than oneself is one of the top factors of human wellbeing. It's a realization that we're not alone and that our presence in the world matters.
Come closer...
You might have looked up Grend with the intuitive feeling that a getaway would benefit you. Now, you can easily book your experience, whether it is in the woods, mountains, or coasts, knowing that this is true. Your intuition was right all along, pursuing an adventure in nature and setting you up for relaxation and healing. Let your nervous system get its long-sough-after break, and observe your busy mind wind down.
Book a stay with us, and take the first step toward your reunion with nature and all its benefits.
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1 - White, M.P., Alcock, I., Grellier, J. et al. Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Sci Rep 9, 7730 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-44097-3
2 - (_Journal of Happiness Studie_s, online første publikasjon, 2019), rapporterer American Psychological Association i en artikkel kalt Nurtured by nature , 1. april 2020. Monitor on Psychology, 51(3).
