Page 5 - NBY News October 2020

Technology definitively linked exposure to
nature directly with improved mental
health, comparing the mental health of
those who moved from city landscapes to
Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that being greener, more natural settings with those
around a waterfall makes you feel good? – who relocated in the reverse direction.
S.B., Lewiston, ME Researchers found that those who
relocated to settings with a higher
The notion of waterfalls making you exposure to nature were noticeably
happy is often viewed as an “old wives’ happier during the three-year study
tale,” but there may be some truth to it period. “Environmental policies to
given the so-called “negative ions” increase urban green space may have
pervasive in such environments. The sustainable public health benefits,” they
collision of water molecules with each other concluded.
causes water to be positively charged and In another recent study, researchers
surrounding air to be negatively charged. sampled the effects of nature on 537 Waterfall Wonders
According to Pierce Howard, Ph.D., author University of Rochester students in both
of The Owner’s Manual for the Brain: Everyday real and imagined situations, and found
Applications from Mind-Brain Research, it that individuals who spent time CONTACTS: The Owner’s Manual for EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy
makes sense that waterfalls can make you outdoors—or even just imagined the Brain, amzn.to/3gAlLTm; Last Child in Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3
feel good, given that negative ions hitting themselves in nature—consistently the Woods, amzn.to/3kcRb4b; “Green nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://
our bloodstream can produce biochemical experienced higher energy levels and spaces deliver lasting mental health
reactions linked to alleviating depression, increased feelings of happiness. Study benefits,” medicalxpress.com/news/ emagazine.com. To donate, visit https://
relieving stress and boosting energy. participants who spent just 20 minutes 2014-01-green-spaces-mental-health- earthtalk.org. Send questions to:
“High concentrations of negative ions are outdoors a day experienced significant benefits.html. question@earthtalk.org.
essential for high energy and positive increases in energy levels as well as
mood,” he reports. “Negative ions suppress noticeable mood boosts. Even indoor Looking for a SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY?
serotonin levels in much the same way that plants played a role in helping study
natural sunlight suppresses melatonin. participants feel more energized.
Hence the invigorating effect of fresh air Another way to look at it would be to CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING FULLERTON
and sunshine and the correspondingly consider our sedentary, indoor lifestyle as 373 E. Imperial Highway, Fullerton, CA 92835
depressed feelings associated with being a drain on our energy reserves and taxing
closed in and dark.” to our mood and general sense of well-
“The atmosphere we breathe normally is being. In the landmark 2005 book Last
full of positive and negative ions,” he adds. Child in the Woods, Richard Louv coined October 2020
“Air-conditioning, lack of ventilation, and the term “nature deficit disorder” to
long dry spells remove negative ions...the explain how our lack of time outdoors has
best ratios of negative to positive ions are led to behavioral problems in kids and
associated with waterfalls and the time adults alike. Louv’s prescription? Spend VIEW SERVICES on the INTERNET
before, during and after storms,” says more time outdoors (away from screens)
Howard. “The worst are found in interacting with nature and each other. www.CSLFullerton.org
windowless rooms and closed, moving In case you needed another reason to
vehicles.” get off the couch and out into the woods
Our love of waterfalls only underscores on a waterfall hike, now you have it. click Sundays/Past Services
that people thrive when they are exposed to You’ll be sharper. You’ll be more
nature on a regular basis. A 2013 study in productive. You’ll be invigorated. And
Call for prayer & updates
the journal Environmental Science & you’ll be happier.

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October 2020 5