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Category: Interesting Discoveries

Published on Leave a comment on Anxious, Depressed, Distracted — What If The Cure Is Just Outside?

Author Florence Williams talks trees, cities, and creativity in her new book "The Nature Fix."

You Spend 5 Percent Of Your Day Outside. Try Making It More. At a time when more than half of all people live in cities, the influence of the natural world is at a low ebb, while our understanding of it keeps growing.

Try Spending Some Time Outdoors - It Lifts Your Mood Level

For two decades, Florence Williams could sit on her porch at night and watch the alpenglow on the Rocky Mountains. Then she moved from remote Colorado to Washington, DC, and started noticing the changes.

“I felt disoriented, overwhelmed, depressed,” she writes in her recent book, The Nature Fix. “My mind had trouble focusing. I couldn’t finish thoughts … and I wasn’t keen to get out of bed.”

Williams was suffering, she says, from nature withdrawal. She spent the next three years digging into the science of how nature works on our brain. In short, it makes us more relaxed, more creative, and more socially connected. She traveled to Japan and Finland, the deserts of Utah and the urban forests of Singapore, to study just how much we stand to gain by bring nature back into our lives.…

Published on Leave a comment on Positive Psychology: Ways We Can Help Ourselves And Others

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY WAS INTRODUCED EARLY THIS CENTUARY (2000 and 2005) AND SOME OF IT'S PRINCIPLES CAN BE PRACTICED PERSONALLY - YOU WOULD NOT NEED A PSYCHOLOGIST. IN SOME RESPECTS, THIS KIND OF PRACTICE IS HEALTHIER THAN OTHERS, IF YOU DON'T OVER-DO IT (like most things). IT CERTAINLY HAS IT'S MERITS, YOU WILL SEE IN THIS POST. THESE DAYS, YOU CAN EVEN PRACTICE SOME BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES WITHOUT THE NEED FOR A THERAPIST. SOME PSYCHOLOGISTS WRITE BOOKS AND VIDEOS SHOWING YOU HOW TO APPLY THE TECHNIQUES FOR YOURSELVES. THEY'RE GOOD FOR MAKING AND BREAKING HABITS. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY IS INTERESTING TOO. FOR NOW, LET'S SEE WHAT POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY HAS TO OFFER, HEY?

WHAT IS POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Traditionally in psychology, the focus has been on identifying and treating mental health problems such as depression. This is critically important for those facing mental illness however, it provides an incomplete picture of mental health. Positive psychology is a relatively new branch of psychology that shifts the focus from what is clinically wrong, to the promotion of wellbeing and the creation of a satisfying life filled with meaning, pleasure, engagement, positive relationships and accomplishment.

Positive psychology is not about putting on a happy face all the time.…

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Published on 2 Comments on The Importance Of Green Spaces And Their Practical Applications – Researched

GREEN SPACE IS A TERM USED FOR GARDENS, PARKS AND NATURE SETTINGS THAT ARE PLANNED OR INTRODUCED IN CITY AND SUBURBAN AREAS FOR THE BENEFIT OF RESIDENTS, WORKERS AND VISITORS AND ENHANCING DEVELOPMENTS. THEY PROVE TO BE BENEFICIAL FOR HEALTH, MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY. THE THERAPUETIC BENEFITS CAN EVEN BE EXPERIENCED PHYSICALLY AS WELL. EVEN THE YOUTH BENEFIT BEHAVORALLY WHEN THERE IS GREEN SPACE IN THEIR AREA. LAND DEVELOPERS ARE NOW CONSIDERING MORE GREEN SPACE IN NEW DEVELOPMENT AREAS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED YEARS AGO AND IS NOW BEING CORRECTED. GARDENS AND NATURE IS SOMETHING THAT IS NECESSARY IN OUR LIVES AND WE CAN ALL BENEFIT BY SPENDING SOME TIME OUTDOORS.

Gardening For Health: A Regular Dose Of Gardening

By Richard Thompson – Royal College Of Physicians UK

There is anxiety that the NHS cannot cope now and in the future with the health needs of an increasing and ageing population. It is also realised that pharmaceutical drugs are increasingly expensive and are not always as effective as they appear in the results of early, enthusiastically reported, clinical trials. Drugs are also prescribed at the cost of side effects, which are a leading cause of admissions to hospitals, particularly for the elderly, who are poorly represented in trials.…

Published on Leave a comment on Scientists Are Saying That Birds Make Us Happier And Less Stressed – Find This True

THIS LAST YEAR HAS BROUGHT MANY OF US INTO MORE CONTACT WITH NATURE WHEN HAVING TO DISTANCE OURSELVES SOCIALLY. I'VE ALWAYS LOVED TO HEAR THE BIRDS WHEN THEY VISIT NEARBY, WAKE UP EARLY IN THE MORNINGS, SEE THEM IN THE PARKS, AT THE BEACHES, FLYING IN FORMATIONS ON OCCASSIONS ABOVE THE HOUSES IN MY LOCALITY WHEN I STEP OUTSIDE. I'VE JUST PURCHASED A SECOND BIRDBATH RECENTLY, SO I HAVE A DEEPER ONE OUT THE FRONT FOR THE MAGGIES WHO LOVE TO SPLASH IN IT, AND A SHALLOW ONE FOR THE BACK, SO THE SPARROWS CAN REFRESH THEMSELVES TOO. I CAME HOME THE OTHER DAY TO SEE A PIGEON RESTING PEACEFULLY IN THAT ONE FOR QUITE SOME TIME - NOT SO QUICK TO FLY AWAY, AYE? WITH A LITTLE PATIENCE, YOU CAN BEFRIEND SOME BIRDS A LITTLE - ATLEAST WE CAN MAKE OUR YARDS INVITING AND EXPERIENCE PRECIOUS MOMENTS HERE AND THERE ON DIFFERENT DAYS.

Being Around Birds Makes Us Much Happier Says New Science

By Andy Corbley

We see them nearly everywhere we go, we hear them every day, they live in every environment, and now, two new studies have shown their mere presence makes us happier.…

Published on Leave a comment on Garden Areas Improves The Health Of Children In Daycare Centres And Hospitals

I FOUND THESE ARTICLES RECENTLY CONCERNING THESE NATURE ELEMENTS THAT ARE MISSING IN THE LIVES OF SO MANY WELL CHILDREN AND ESPECIALLY IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE LONG STAYS IN HOSPITALS OR MAYBE EVEN LIVE IN. THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THE INTRIGUE AND PEACE AND BEAUTY OF PLANTS TO CHILDREN. THEY'RE COMFORTING AND ENJOYABLE. THEY HELP TO OFFSET SOME OF THE MODERN DAY TECH AND EQUIPMENT CHILDREN GET ACCUSTOMED TO IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT IN THIS MODERN ERA. MAYBE IF YOU DON'T HAVE A GARDEN AT HOME, YOU WILL CONSIDER GROWING SOME PLANTS IN SOME WAY, SO YOU CAN ENJOY MORE TIME OUTDOORS IN THE FRESH AIR AND SUNSHINE.

New Study Shows Garden Areas Improved The Immune Systems of Daycare Children In Only A Month

A study in Finland showed, for the first time, that the immune system of children ages 3-5 improved when lawns, and planter boxes were added outside daycare centers.

Dozens of comparative studies have previously found that children who live in rural areas and are in contact with nature have a lower probability of catching an illness resulting from disorders in the immune system—and a lower risk of developing coeliac disease, allergies, atopy, and even diabetes.…

Published on Leave a comment on 10 Benefits of Camping and Nature – For You Nature Lovers And First-Timers

WE LIVE IN SUCH A FAST PACE AGE WITH SO MANY TECH DEVICES AND DEMANDS ON OUR TIME, IT’S GOOD TO BREAK AWAY FROM ALL THAT AND ATTUNE TO NATURE SOMETIMES. IT’S SO BENEFICIAL – IT CONFERS SO MANY BENEFITS (some you don’t find elsewhere). YES A WONDERUL OVERLOOKED OPPORTUNITY FOR MANY AND NEW DISCOVERY TO SOME – ENJOYED TO THE FULLEST WHEN CAMPING. YOU REALLY MUST TRY IF YOU HAVE NOT BEFORE. AND IF YOU’RE ACCUSTOMED TO CAMPING AND NATURE, SEE HOW MANY OF THESE BENEITS YOU HAVE NOTICED.

Help Yourself To NATURE
You Will Benefit So Much!

For some, camping in nature is a fun hobby. It’s just a way to spend time with loved ones, cook over an open flame, and get a bit of fresh air. For others, it’s more meaningful. It allows them to disconnect from the modern world, explore the unknown, or reconnect with nature. Regardless, everyone who participates gets some kind of benefit, including some they may not expect.

While the reasons for camping in nature vary, nearly everyone who does experiences a range of benefits, even if they don’t notice it. If you are wondering why camping outdoors is so amazing for you and your health, here’s what you need to know.

1.…

Published on Leave a comment on 12 Benefits In Yawning You Would Never Guess – Find Out What They Are!

Life's Pretty Serious These Days, Find Ways To Laugh And Smile Together, Yawn Together - It's Contagious, It's Fun For Families. It's Good For Stress.

Yawning Doesn't Mean That You Are Bored Or In Absolute Need Of Sleep. No, When We Yawn, It Means Something More Interesting Than That. Science Has Been Ignorant For Decades About Things They Have More Light On Now. Some Neuroscientists Like Caroline Leaf Has Some Firsthand And Professional Knowledge Concerning The Benefits Of Yawning And She Places Value On It.

Reasons Why We Yawn - Read On!

Some Professionals Choose To Stay Ignorant About It's Merits But There Again, You Always Get Those. Most Times There Is Resistance To New Found Knowledge, So I Am Not Concerned About Those. Because I Have Been Known To Yawn Nonstop Occasionally When I'm Not Tired Or Bored, I Found This Discovery Really Interesting, So I Have Researched It Several Times. Because Yawning Is Also Catchy, I Yawn Sometimes As I Research This Fascinating Topic - I'm Known For Never Missing A Yawn:) And Here's What I Have Come Up With.

WHY DO WE YAWN?

Let’s say you’re sitting in a meeting at work, and you feel a yawn coming on.…

Published on Leave a comment on What Is Our Microbiome? Find Out In The Interest Of Better Health. Discover The Benefits Of Homemade Kefir Kombucha And Kimchi

Did You Hear About This Discovery? Our Body Is Home To About 100 Trillion Bacteria And Other Microbes, In And On Our Body Collectively Known As Our Microbiome – 10 Times The Number Of Body Cells And We Have Not Even Known About This In Western Countries Until Recent Times. But Some Countries In Europe Have Been Practicing Healthy Diets Etc To Look After It For Generations. In Doing So, It Confers Many Benefits. This Microbiome Consists Of Healthy And Unhealthy Bacteria And The Ratio Varies From Person To Person. A Healthy Microbiome Is One Of The Reasons Why Some People Are Blessed With Really Good Health. Having A Diet And Sleep And Exercise That Favours Healthy Flora (bacteria) In Your Microbiome Is A Good Way To Ensure Against Things Like Overweight And Cholesterol And Strengthen The Integrity Of Your Immune System.

Looking After Gut Flora (Bacteria)

Have you heard of Kefir and Kombucha, Kimchi and Sauerkraut? They are fermented drinks and food staples you feed and nurture your Microbiome with that favours healthy bacteria over unhealthy bacteria and outnumbers them. So incorporating some practices to multiply them will help them to play a dominant role for you so you enjoy better health.…

Published on Leave a comment on An Overlooked Way To Good Health. New Discoveries Made By Psychologists Concerning A 2,000 Year Christian Principle.

Forgiveness: Jesus encouraged this in His Counsel To Us And In The Life He Lived Among Us 33 Years. It Is Probably Taken To Be A Religious Exercise By Most People Who Have Not Experienced It. However, The Grace And Freedom Found In Forgiveness Is Not Limited To Christians. In Fact, I Have Known A Few To Be Unforgiving, Who Do Not Reflect Jesus’ Manner. Psychologists Are Excited With The Newfound  Discovery That Forgiveness Benefits Our Health – Mentally, Emotionally And Even Physically. They Are Recording Good Results, Sometimes Surprising.

These Days, Neuroscientists Tell Us That Unhealthy Attitudes – With Emotions That Accompany Them – Can Make You Sick, Mentally Or Physically. So The Positive Is That Letting Go Of Unforgiveness Can Bring Healing And Sometimes Peace, Letting Go Of Anger Can Restore Your Joy Or Even Relieve Depression, Letting Go Of Resentment Has Been Known To Ease Symptoms Of Arthritis Etc. Why Not Read These Two Articles I Found On The Net Recently? This Principle If Practiced Could Be A Good Asset To Your Health, Your Family And Friendships.

Why Should You Forgive Someone? Though Not A Favourite Topic To Some Of Us,  In The Positive Sense, You May Find Some Real Clues For Better Health Reading This Post.…

Published on Leave a comment on To Salt Or Not To Salt? That Is The Question – Some Facts Will Surprise You!

Janet Vargas - Independent Natural Health Researcher

An interesting question. I remember standing at a Bakery counter about 20 years ago when I bought a quiche as did someone next to me. We asked for a little salt to be sprinkled on them and the reply was, they can't do that, they don't have any salt shaker in the place and they don't use salt. Talk about extremists, they were determining what we could or could not do, based on medical blurb I call paranoia.

At that time, "No Salt" was being promoted - many people joined in the craze and some Cafes weren't placing salt shakers on their tables anymore. Being a Researcher, I commented to the other person that I had worked out about 10 things that can go wrong with our health if we don't have salt in our diet, some weeks before and listed them by memory to her. 5 related to Sodium deficiency and 5 related to Chloride deficiency. Imagine, no salt with egg? Yuck!

I've heard and read the other side of the argument that made some sense to me 1. that certain foods have some naturally occurring Sodium in them but who has those every day?…