But what’s less talked about is the benefit
of bringing the outdoors inside. From
airing your house to greening your office,
harnessing the power of nature in your
daily life can not only enhance your
happiness but improve your health and
stave off physical and mental illness.
‘The idea of opening a window to make us
feel better is not new,’ says Peck. ‘Many
research studies show that a view of nature
can boost mental and physical health, even
speeding recovery from disease. Indeed,
one study found that hospital patients
given rooms with a view of nature had
shorter post-operative stays than those in
rooms with windows facing a brick wall.
Other research shows university students
who sit exams in rooms that have natural
views achieve better results than those
who don’t, and office workers with
a view of greenery report their jobs
as less stressful.LET THE LIGHT IN
The green cure isn’t just about what you
see through the window, but also what
comes through it, says Peck. ‘Pulling back
the curtains or opening the blinds and
giving yourself a break from artificial light
can improve your state of mind,’ she says.
Getting more natural daylight also helps
you sleep better – it regulates your
circadian rhythms in a way artificial light‘HARNESSING THE
POWER OF NATURE
CAN STAVE OFF
PHYSICAL AND
MENTAL ILLNESS’