Did you know the great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited park in North America? There are an estimated thirteen million visitors per year followed by The Grand Canyon National Park. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border state lines of North Carolina and the state of Tennessee, with an awe-inspiring sprawling landscape of luxuriant verdant forests and copious of wildflowers that delightfully bloom throughout the year. The mesmerizing waterfalls, the rivers and Streams that appear along hiking trails that include a bit of the popular Appalachian Trail is something to behold. And let us not forget the observation tower tops Clingmans Dome, the highest summit, offering breath taking views of the mist-covered Smoky Mountains region. The Great Smoky Mountains is the most favored national park in this country, and it has been for many decades. Two principal reasons for its popularity are that it is first near major East Coast and Midwestern urban areas, representing over 50%of this country's population, therefore, it is within driving distance and secondly, there is no cost for entering this natural wonder. My point in this article that I will be stressing is that we naturally gravitate to creation, explaining the bonding we have with the natural world, it is science based and the benefit is incontrovertible.
In a recent episode, my guest emphasized the importance of the interconnection with the natural world, positively altering the manner we relate with ourselves, our ongoing variable event of life, and the world around us. Simply put, we just perceive things differently while enjoying nature, it has a soothing, introspective, and therapeutic effect. In past articles, I have mentioned that I had the fortuitous experience to grow up in the world of viticulture, growing wine grapes, and to have this interconnectedness with nature will forever resonate with me. I remember as a boy, picking up a hand full of fresh soil and smelling it after a tilling, walking in among the vineyards during flowering or blooming season In February through April, and the wonderful aroma coming through as a gentle breeze making the curtain undulate after a freshly cut alfalfa field. These were beautiful experiences while growing up, but the equivalent of enjoyment can be experienced in and around your home, nature is not something we have to visit, it is not limited to a national park whatsoever. How is this possible? For example, my wife receives an immense pleasure and satisfaction in working with her gardening, working with her diversity of plants, the variety of colors, the symmetry, the visual botanical balance of it all and its interconnection, its interdependency engenders a sense of relationship, nature is happening all around you whether we realize it or not. It is well scientifically documented that enjoying time in nature is the panacea or the cure all in whatever ails you emotionally, indisputably, there is a plethora of many health benefits like boosting your immune system, your baseline of health, lowers hypertension or blood pressure, improved your slumber and it only follows it will increase your energy. Interestingly, architecturally speaking, modern buildings are being constructed with many more windows allowing sunlight to permeate homes and office building interior, because of the fact that neurologist have discovered that our brain always wants you to go outside for its necessary vitamin D. Exposing yourself to sunlight enables your body to produce vitamin D from cholesterol from your largest organ, your natural solar panel, your skin. Sunshine will also strengthen your skeletal bone structure, it will decimate bacteria, it serves as a natural disinfectant, and can be attributed to us having more of a sunny disposition. Do you know of anything that can envelop you more than natural sunshine? Just like everything else, enjoy it moderately. Studies have indicated that just a modicum of at least five minutes in nature can reduce feelings of depression, improve concentration, improve memory, increase creativity and productivity. Research has even suggested that our relationship with nature is noteworthy in terms of providing a clear forecast of our disposition, and how contented we are in general. Have you ever worked side by side with your spouse in your backyard garden or taken a nature walk together? The ties to our natural environment do not just help us personally, but they tend to bond us together, it has a unifying effect. The result, the wonder and awe of nature promotes feelings of trustworthiness, engenders more collaboration, thus, the human connection to others is strengthened. Research has also shown living near green spaces such as public parks has also been inextricably linked with stronger feelings of neighborliness, and even reduction of crime rates. This has been unequivocally confirmed in studies on the benefits of residing near green spaces. Particularly, in impoverished neighborhoods of Chicago where folks who live near green areas, public lawns, parks, and trees show measurable reductions in mental disorders symptoms and greater tranquility, a stronger sense of connection to the neighborhood, more common courtesy, and a notable reduction of violence in their community. What is happening biologically, why is nature so healing? One good probability is that having an interest and accessibility to nature or even viewing it reduces everyday stressors. In fact, one study demonstrated that people who lived near greater areas of green space documented less stress and showed greater declines in cortisol levels, the stress hormone, over the course of any given day. In another research, those who viewed a one-minute video of stunning nature in contrast to any other type of video, contributed to having more of a sense of contentment, feeling as though they had ample time to get personal things done and did not feel like the world was leaving them behind. Additionally, it has been discovered by researchers that people who report feeling a significance of wonder and awe when immersed in the artistry of nature have shown lower levels of measurable substances called biomarkers which potentially lead to decreasing the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, mental disorders, and autoimmune diseases. In effect, these studies to date are very promising. For instance, hospitalized patients tend to recover much faster from cardiovascular surgery when they have a window view of the natural world. In more recent research when considering various kinds of nature engagement like natural landscapes during a neighborhood walk, a scenery from a window, picturesque paintings, nature videos, plants in our work environments revealed without question that these experiences led to placating the nervous system, expedited recovery from illness, improved physical well-being in elderly folks, and overall improved behavior. The extrapolation by behavioral science in the foregoing, is that all of us are less likely to experience anxiety and apprehension in nature, thereby genuinely opening our heart to other people, it promotes altruism, induces virtuous humility, encourages personal purpose and creativity. Regrettably, however, many people are spending minimal time outdoors in the natural world than ever before and the repercussions are blatantly obvious, the world is on fire and burning out of control. I am sure you can attest that in the past, let us say 30 years, the level of stress and being swept away by being too busy has become dramatically overwhelming creating a troubling disconnect with one another let alone with nature. We humans are gregarious creatures, and loving nature together is a significant social affair. All these benefits show something wonderful and crucial is happening. You and I are part of nature, always and totally immersed in it. Our lives are much healthier, our state of happiness is strengthened, our ties to nature become much stronger rather than disconnected or separate from the bigger picture, you, and the global ecosystem. We are all part of this one giant monolithic rock speeding through space. Loving nature goes beyond so much more than our backyard or any other specific area like the Smoky Mountains. We must understand that we were collectively given to one another and the stewardship over the land and its environment, in which case, contributes toward propinquity, the kinship that should exists among the human family and with this God given Earth. But how do I know if I am making the much-needed connection with others and nature? Honestly and wholeheartedly ask yourself, can I be described as altruistic, introspective, and good natured? In conclusion, for you to be made anew with great strength and character, nature should be an inextricable part of you, and you should be an integral part of this impressive, majestic nature that surrounds you!
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