Is there a connection between nature and mental health? In all honesty, yes. Despite our modern way of living, nature is still essential for a healthy life; physically, mentally, and academically .

Science has proven that little to no contact with nature, can increase mental health risks, (Stafford News, June 30,2015,) but the question is, why? The answer is because of the fact that man did not create nature. That is, nature is a place where humans can escape the pressure of other humans, and enjoy something created by someone else, God. When we are surrounded by man-made areas, we can feel as if there is no room for us, that we can not express ourselves, that we must meet the standard of the chrome world around us, that if we aren’t perfect, we are worthless.

The result? Men who are stressed by work, who put their identity in their job, because they don’t understand the world outside them. Women who feel like they’re not good enough for their husbands, who feel stuck in a loop inside the controlled environment of their city. Getting outside regularly is important, it releases stress, shows you a bigger picture, and gives you room to, honestly, be wild.

Nature helps physical health. For example, the sun gives you vitamin D3, which helps protect you from cancer, low bone density, and rickets. Tree’s photosynthesis, the process of turning carbon into oxygen, means your getting more oxygen into your body. When the brain isn’t receiving enough oxygen, it will start powering down some of the less essential parts of your body, and give the oxygen to other parts of your body. Although you might not notice it, this is happening whenever you stay inside for long periods of time, your body is not receiving enough oxygen, so it shuts down, can you not pay attention, do you have a harder time getting up? This is due to lack of oxygen. For most of American history, if you were sick, your doctor would tell you to take a trip into the country, or into the mountains. On a second note, humans were made to work outside. When man was created, he was put in a garden. Do you think this garden magically cared for itself? No, Adam was given work in the garden, and then he was given Eve as a helper.

Nature can improve academics also. Nature helps broaden your imagination, which in turn, makes your brain want to think, to stretch itself to great feats. Nature also inspires, it shows you such beauty that you want to replicate, so that you want to make art in all aspects of life.

You will be inspired to make your writing flow elegantly, your math neat and sophisticated, you will be amazed at the scenes that historic battle took place, but since you are inspired, you will not feel pressured towards perfection. Academics are a powerful blend of mental and physical health. And since we’ve proven how both physical health and mental health are affected by nature, we can confidently say that academics are also.

It is evident that spending time in nature is essential for a happy, healthy life, but then why do we avoid it? Because of how clear God is in it. But no matter how hard we fight it, our souls long for God and, as a result, the beautiful world he put around us.