The Poem

This mango tree, my sanctuary,

A haven for my soul,

Where worries fade away,

And my spirit feels whole.

Beneath its leafy canopy,

I find peace and serenity,

The breeze a gentle symphony,

That carries my worries away with ease.

Thoughts disappear and time stands still,

As I breathe in the mountain air,

Weightless and elated,

I find myself unencumbered by the cares.

This is my place of solace,

Where my mind and the tree align,

In perfect harmony and balance,

And my soul finds peace divine.

I am one with nature here,

And nature is one with me,

Under this mango tree,

I am truly free.

I am one with nature here,

And nature is one with me,

Under this mango tree,

I am truly free.

The Nature’s effect

Humans have for long recognised the benefits of spending time in nature has therapeutic effects. A great deal of research in psychology and neuroscience lends credence to the idea that spending time in natural settings can assist alleviate emotional strain. One research published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology discovered that those who spent time in nature had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol than people who spent time in cities. Cortisol levels were measured in urban and rural youngsters, and the results revealed that children who spent more time in nature had much lower cortisol levels.

This implies that exposure to outdoors might improve the body’s stress response.

In another study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, a meta-analysis of previous studies was used to further explore the link between contact with nature and well-being. The findings indicated that spending time in nature is connected with a variety of favourable outcomes, such as elevated mood, decreased anxiety and sadness, and enhanced emotions of contentment.   The study also found that nature contact had a stronger effect on well-being than other types of contact, such as contact with animals or contact with urban green spaces.

The sound of birds singing and the sight of the sun shining through the leaves can also have a calming effect on the mind and body. Research has shown that the sounds of nature, such as birds singing and flowing water, can lead to a decrease in stress levels and an increase in feelings of relaxation. One study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, found that the soundscape of a rainforest had a significant effect on stress hormone levels.

Cortisol and adrenaline levels were examined in individuals before and after listening to rainforest soundscape recordings, and the results revealed that cortisol levels fell while adrenaline levels stayed consistent.

Similarly, the sight of nature has been found to lead to a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure, indicating a reduction in stress levels. A study, published in the Journal Health & Place, conducted a randomized controlled trial to investigate the impact of nature on heart rate and blood pressure. The study found that the group who walked in a natural environment had a significantly lower heart rate and blood pressure compared to the group who walked in an urban environment. Furthermore, the sensation of the air on the skin might be beneficial to the body. Spending time in nature has been shown in studies to enhance the body’s production of the hormone oxytocin, which has been connected to emotions of calm and satisfaction. Nature’s impacts on oxytocin and stress hormones were explored in a research published in Frontiers in Psychology.

Participants who walked in nature had considerably greater oxytocin levels and lower cortisol levels than those who strolled in an urban setting, according to the study.

Furthermore, spending time in nature has been found to improve cognitive function, attention and creativity. Studies have found that a nature walk can enhance divergent thinking, a key component of creativity, and improves attention and working memory. Additionally, studies have indicated that those who spend more time in nature have better physical health results. Exposure to nature has been linked to a decreased risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, as well as lower blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and inflammation. Finally, a plethora of scientific study in psychology and neuroscience supports the advantages of spending time in nature. Nature has been shown to have a beneficial effect on the human mind and body, lowering stress and anxiety and increasing general well-being and cognitive performance.

Hence I am more joyous everyday to wake up, get dressed and attend the duties of my job. Just a few of many perks of being a Geologist. I thank God for the chance of a lifetime to travel, discover, experience, acknowledge, comprehend and appreciate the beauty of nature.