Think Well: How Time in Nature Can Help Reduce Stress

Life can feel nonstop. Between work, traffic, phones, screens, and busy schedules, our brains don’t get many opportunities to slow down. That’s one reason something as simple as spending time outside can be so valuable.

Research suggests that getting into nature—even for a short walk—may help reduce stress, quiet negative thought patterns, and give your mind a chance to reset.

What Does the Research Say?

A 2015 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences looked at how spending time in nature compared with walking through a busy urban environment.

Healthy adults took a 90-minute walk either in a natural setting or in an urban area. Researchers looked at how the participants felt before and after their walks and also examined brain activity related to repetitive negative thinking.

The group who walked in nature experienced:

• Less rumination, or getting stuck in the same negative thoughts

• Changes in brain activity in an area associated with stress and negative thinking

• An overall experience that suggested nature may help the brain and body recover from some of the demands of daily life

The takeaway? Sometimes the best way to slow down is simply to step outside.

What Does This Have to Do With Chiropractic Health?

At Texas Chiro Health of McKinney, we believe wellness is about more than getting out of pain. Your physical health, stress levels, movement, sleep, nutrition, and mental well-being are all connected.

When you’re constantly stressed, your body can feel it. You may notice more muscle tension, less energy, trouble sleeping, or simply feel like you’re running on empty. Taking time to move, breathe, and get outside can be a simple way to support your body’s ability to handle everyday stress.

And you don’t need to plan a camping trip to make it happen!

Try taking a walk around your neighborhood, eating lunch outside, sitting under a tree, or spending a few minutes at a local park. Even small habits can add up when you make them part of your routine.

Think Well. Move Well. Live Well.

Your health isn’t built in one appointment or one workout. It’s built through the small things you do every day.

So today, put down the phone, step outside, take a few deep breaths, and go for a walk. Your brain—and your body—may thank you for it.

Reference

Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, J. P., Hahn, K. S., Daily, G. C., & Gross, J. J. (2015). Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(28), 8567–8572.

Our Message

When you are looking for a Chiropractor near you that you can trust, choose one who will not only get rid of your back pain, neck pain, or headaches but who will also guide you to living a healthier lifestyle to keep you out of pain. Our East Dallas Chiropractors located in Lakewood, near the corner of Mockingbird Ln. and Abrams Rd., are here to teach you that taking care of your mental health and getting the proper nutrients are just as important as the chiropractic adjustment to stay healthy.