Today’s edition of the Wall Street Journal has an article titled – For Better Health, Just Head Outdoors.
The author, Betsy Morris writes,
“Spending time in the woods—a practice the Japanese call “forest bathing”— is strongly linked to lower blood pressure, heart rate and stress hormones and decreased anxiety, depression and fatigue.”
Her article indicates that the research also has shown that human anticancer natural killer cells significantly increase after walks in a forest and that time in a forest is linked to decreased inflammation, which has been implicated in chronic disease.
One study published in Nature’s Scientific Reports in 2019 found the 20,000 participants were significantly more likely to report good health and well-being when they spent 120 minutes or more in nature a week. The benefits peaked at 200 to 300 minutes a week.
So, science once again aligns with the truths that are found in the Bible about how aspects of the Christian faith promote health and wellbeing.
Let’s look at a few related scriptures:
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
“On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.” Psalm 145:5
“Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” Psalm 96:11-12
“To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1
At the following link you’ll find many more scriptures related to nature.
Part of God’s grand design is that we spend time outdoors and in nature… marveling at its beauty and being reminded of the truth that God created our beautiful world.
And when we do that, God receives the glory, and it’s even good for our health.
So, go talk a walk!
