November 23, 2018
Spring and Summer are just around the corner, signaling a perfect opportunity for students and teachers alike to step away from the classroom and take advantage of the great outdoors. Research supports the feelings of well-being that stem from time spent in nature. In fact, the Japanese practice of “forest bathing” is proven to lower heart rate and blood pressure, reduce stress hormone production, and even boost the immune system.
City dwellers can benefit from the effects of trees with just a visit to the park. Brief exposure to greenery in urban environments can relieve stress levels, and experts have recommended “doses of nature” as part of treatment for attention disorders in children. What all of this evidence suggests is we don’t seem to need a lot of exposure to gain from nature-but regular contact appears to improve our immune system function and our well-being.
ECOS Institute encourages everyone to enjoy some time outside. Here are Southern California recommendations: