OT: A Dose of Nature to Help Heal

Submitted by Gavia immer_MI on May 4th, 2020 at 2:52 PM

Shameless self-promotion and all, but I truly believe in this piece we had published in The Hill today. Natural sounds have clearly been shown to have great benefits for human health, whether experiencing in person or through recordings. If the stress of this pandemic, or any other situation, is getting to you, take some time to immerse yourself in these recordings.

Nature can heal during times of crisis — all you have to do is listen

 

UMAmaizinBlue

May 4th, 2020 at 2:58 PM ^

Not surprising. There have been multiple studies showing that patients heal faster and have better outcomes when their rooms have natural views (trees, gardens) vs. cohorts who face unnatural settings (parking structures, streets/sidewalks).

Additionally, the Japanese practice "shinrin-yoku" (literally "forest-bathing") to improve physical and mental health. We can learn a lot from these examples/studies when it comes to our health, not just during a pandemic but going forward. If you're lucky enough to live in a place with natural areas you should experience them as often as you can.

Njia

May 5th, 2020 at 9:35 AM ^

I have a good friend who is originally from Ireland. One of the things he has never understood about American hospitals is the insistence on windows that will not open to allow in fresh air. I mean, I understand the motivation to make sure a patient's room is as clean as possible. And in a place like Manhattan, all you'd probably get are honking horns. But where its possible, hearing the sounds of a breeze rustling the leaves, or birds chirping, can do enormous good.

Booted Blue in PA

May 4th, 2020 at 3:20 PM ^

Counting the days until i get a chance to head up to deer camp.  Technically, since I'm not a Michigan resident, I could go now..... But I'll hold off until the stay at home rules get a little more 'loosened up'.

 

 

xtramelanin

May 4th, 2020 at 5:28 PM ^

little known fact (besides they probably could play DT):  japanese honey bees defeat these monsters by inviting them into their nest and swarming and overheating them.  it prevents the murder hornet from placing or tracing a phermone trail back to their own hive.  supposedly 30 murder hornets can wipe out 20,000 european honey bees in a few hours, and their stings can go right through a regular bee keeper suit.  they decapitate the honey bees and use the bodies for food.  fun. 

hopefully they don't like the cold.  yeesh.  

MRunner73

May 4th, 2020 at 4:28 PM ^

Massage therapists often use these sounds during their sessions to relax their patients. There are some apps for calming that also have these types of sounds and tones to listen to and unwind.

CFraser

May 4th, 2020 at 4:50 PM ^

Nature and human interaction (community/human touch) are two essential human needs that go unmet ubiquitously in modern times. It’s the silent pandemic. 
 

I go hiking trails every other day or at least get out to jog. It’s helping. I am craving community still though - that’s why I am posting on here more. 

ChuckieWoodson

May 4th, 2020 at 5:07 PM ^

Truth.  Although just a PSA for those in tick areas - found one on my daughter today after playing in a field.  Washtenaw County.  Run of the mill wood tick but still - be mindful!

andrewG

May 4th, 2020 at 5:48 PM ^

You know what my favorite natural sound is? Silence.

Being at home pretty much 24/7 with a 2 and 4 yr old, I've come to appreciate silence more than ever. If only I could get some of it...

MeanJoe07

May 4th, 2020 at 5:54 PM ^

Well I don't know if seven bibles can fill a green burrito, but if it has wheels then penguins don't typically hunt batteries.  

BIGWEENIE

May 4th, 2020 at 7:13 PM ^

There was a show on this summer where 2 nut jobs went around getting bit, stung etc from things and those hornet's were on there. Did not look fun. Said it felt like getting shot, hot and painful. Worse than a scorpion sting.They had a python bite them so they were not fooling around. Ticks are out heavy also, as I took one off the dog and my wife had one on her. Watch out.

4godkingandwol…

May 4th, 2020 at 8:18 PM ^

Ocean waves always fill me with dread. Don’t know why, but I hate that “sleep sound”. Rain, babbling brooks, crackling fire, etc. are great. The ocean wave one just gives me anxiety. And I actually enjoy the ocean and surfing (or attempting to). 

UMProud

May 5th, 2020 at 7:34 AM ^

The weeping of OSU fans in a loss to Michigan is very soothing and makes me sleep like a baby.  Problem is the recording isn't that great as it's a cassette from the 90s.  

Roanman

May 5th, 2020 at 7:36 AM ^

The binaural beats thing is good for relaxing into sleep.

Not so sure about the third eye, astral projection, etc. claims.