Nature Has the Power to Heal

The answer has been there all along - Perhaps finding a connection with nature is key to overcoming loneliness.

The ancients knew the divine healing power of nature. We call it pantheism. It predates most religions and celebrates nature. Pantheists hold that the earth is the most sacred order there is.

In our modern world, with its sprawling freeways and concrete jungles, the cure for loneliness and connection is right under our feet. If only we remembered the wisdom of the ancients. They knew the healing power of nature.

Maybe it's time we remembered. Curious to know how to reduce feelings of loneliness fall by 28%? Keep reading to the end!

In this edition of Fighting Lonely, we look at the power of nature, how it rejuvenates us, calms us and at times can bring us closer together.

Zen and the Art of Being Happy

Thousands of years ago, we humans were at one with nature. Now, we long to reconnect with it. That's why we have gardens. Even if you're in an apartment, you likely have at least a couple of potted plants. Maybe even a window box. Plants that alert you to the change of seasons. They fill your heart with joy when they are in full bloom.

The Japanese have long known the benefits of stillness and communication with nature. Until you've stood still in a Japanese Zen garden, you might not fully understand its healing power. The fastidious arrangement of rocks, plants, and sand encourages contemplation and calmness. The tinkling of the ever-present water features soothes.

The Japanese poet Basho in The Narrow Road to the Deep North is perhaps the finest example of extolling the one-ness with nature.

Crouching under a pine

I watched a full moon,

Pondering all night long

On the sorrow of Chunagong.

How Nature Heals

Research shows that spending time in nature provides mental health benefits. Nature stimulates the nervous system. Overcrowding increases loneliness by an average of 39%. However, when people can see flowers, trees, and the sky or hear birds chirping, their feelings of loneliness fall by 28%.

And then there's the practice of earthing. That's where you take off your shoes, get off the concrete, walk on grass, and feel Mother Earth beneath your feet. You turn off your phone, quiet your "monkey" brain, and just breathe.

Practitioners know that when we have direct contact with the surface of the earth and we physically connect with the ground, it allows the electrical energy to rebalance us. Footwear with rubber soles doesn't conduct electricity, and many believe that illnesses and loneliness are the result.

The benefits of gardening, particularly community gardening, have also long been known. During the COVID-19 pandemic, gardening reduced loneliness as people sowed, planted, and tended to vegetables and flowers. Their self-reported life satisfaction and mental well-being increased by 9%.

A cure for your loneliness is within reach. Find that green corner, that little square of grass.

Go on. Try it.

Some other gems on the power of nature….

• A cure: Can a connection with nature help alleviate loneliness? Find out more here.

• Zen at home: Try your hand at the art of Zen gardening. Reconnect with nature and find a little peace along the way.

• Get social: Why not join a gardening club in your local area? There are many dotted across the country.

• The truth behind earthing: Is it real? Or is it made up? Here's what you need to know about the science of earthing.

Did you learn something new about nature and how it impacts your mood? Why not share it with your friends and family? Or hit reply and tell us what you loved.