Minimalism And Nature’s Benefits
According to “The Minimalists”, Emmy-nominated Netflix stars, podcasters, and New York Times–bestselling authors Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, “Minimalism is a tool that can assist you in finding freedom. Freedom from fear. Freedom from worry. Freedom from overwhelm. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from depression. Freedom from the trappings of the consumer culture we’ve built our lives around. Real freedom. That doesn’t mean there’s anything inherently wrong with owning material possessions. Today’s problem seems to be the meaning we assign to stuff: we assign too much meaning to things, often forsaking our health, our relationships, our passions, our personal growth, and our desire to contribute beyond ourselves.”
Minimalism is not just about having less. It’s about realizing, being proud of, and being grateful for the things you do have.
It brings me back to my appreciate with nature; you don’t need any “things” to appreciate nature, you just experience positivity and this freedom and liberation.
According to Jill Suttie in Mind and Body, “One study found that people living in proximity to trees had better “amygdala integrity”—meaning, a brain structure better able to handle stressors. Besides helping us breathe, being around trees may improve our health in other ways, too.
Studies have shown that spending short amounts of time in forests seems to benefit our immune systems. Specifically, one study found that elderly patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease experienced decreases in perforin and granzyme B expressions, as well as decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines—all related to better immune function—after they visited forests rather than urban areas. Though it’s not clear exactly why this would be, a prior study suggests that trees may improve immunity thanks to certain aromatic compounds they release.”
Not only the outstanding health benefits, but also pleasure you receive from nature: When you experience such joy from nature (watching an impeccable sunset, gazing at the glorious mountains ahead or appreciate trees offering fruits for you to enjoy), you may just go back inside your home only to find the things you have inside (televisions, computers, video games, etc,) will not satisfy you the same ways nature does.
That’s why I believe in minimalism.
According to NewsGP, “Bursting cupboards and piles of paper stacked around the house may seem harmless enough. But research shows disorganization and clutter have a cumulative effect on our brains. Our brains like order, and constant visual reminders of disorganisation drain our cognitive resources, reducing our ability to focus. The visual distraction of clutter increases cognitive overload and can reduce our working memory. In 2011, neuroscience researchers using fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) and other physiological measurements found clearing clutter from the home and work environment resulted in a better ability to focus and process information, as well as increased productivity.”
Living a minimalistic life focuses my attention on spending less time indoors, but more time outdoors: where I feel peace, joy, and feelings of gratitude.
If you stay with us here, at The Astin, you can find the liberation, while increasing your health.