health – Humans in Nature

Nature’s Effects on Quality of Sleep

October 17, 2022October 21, 2022Elida V Palomino

Sleep is a restorative process where our body heals us in complex ways. We all know the benefits of nature on overall health, but what about sleep? In what way does nature have a physiological effect on our sleep quality?

In today’s modern society, technology, work, school, and other factors can negatively affect our quality of sleep due to the stress that accompanies them. Poor quality of sleep is linked to health risks such as diabetes, obesity, depression, anxiety, and even poor immune system functioning. It is important to acknowledge that as our lives become more entangled with responsibilities, it is crucial to maintain good sleep habits and rituals. One practice that could help is to spend time in nature.

Does Where You Live Impact Your Health?

May 4, 2022May 3, 2022Andrea Blood

With such variation in climate and altitude across our planet, it is interesting to see how these variations can impact our overall health and wellbeing. To find out more about how where you live can impact your health, check out the video below!

References:

Ezzati M, Horwitz MEM, Thomas DSK, et alAltitude, life expectancy and mortality from ischaemic heart disease, stroke, COPD and cancers: national population-based analysis of US countiesJ Epidemiol Community Health 2012;66:e17.

Khan, A. A., Banwell, P. E., Bakker, M. C., Gillespie, P. G., McGrouther, D. A., & Roberts, A. H. (2004). Topical radiant heating in wound healing: an experimental study in a donor site wound model*. International wound journal, 1(4), 233–240. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-4801.2004.00065.x

Huber, R. S., Kim, T.-S., Kim, N., Kuykendall, M. D., Sherwood, S. N., Renshaw, P. F., & Kondo, D. G. (2018). Association Between Altitude and Regional Variation of ADHD in Youth. Journal of Attention Disorders, 22(14), 1299–1306. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054715577137

https://www.verywellhealth.com/best-climate-for-arthritis-5094272

Nature Prescriptions

April 24, 2022April 23, 2022maggie omalley

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The Elderly in Nature

December 16, 2018March 1, 2021Caroline Moulis

The discipline of occupational therapy focuses on teaching people with physical limitations how to complete everyday tasks. Some common goals of occupational therapists include helping children with disabilities function in school and social environments, helping injured individuals regain their mobility, and helping elderly adults with physical and cognitive limitations to get through their day to day lives (American Occupational Therapy Association 2018).

But occupational therapists are not only widening their range of treatment options, but also their range of clientele. Life expectancy is increasing, especially in the United States, which has the highest life expectancy for people over the age of 75. This leaves occupational therapists with a new group to focus on: the elderly. This begs the question: what can time spent in nature, during both therapy and recreation, offer the elderly for their physical and mental health?

The National Parks are Great, So Why Doesn’t Everyone Go There?

October 31, 2018March 1, 2021Julianna Rogowski

There is a high chance you’ve heard of or visited places like Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Yosemite. These are all national parks within the United States and are seen as natural gems by millions of people. The ability to visit and explore stunning natural landscapes that our earth has created has helped define the United States, as it has created symbolic images that are known across the globe. Fifty-nine national parks span from coast to coast, and according to the National Park website, these parks attract millions of visitors annually as they are a great way for people to explore the outdoors.