Blue Ridge Wilderness Therapy

Los Angeles CA

21 January, 2021

4:40 AM

Description

A wealth of research exists describing the many benefits of being in nature. One research study at the University of Utah at Salt Lake City looked at and compiled data from existing literature on the mental health benefits of outdoor recreation activities by Blue Ridge Wilderness Therapy. Their research supported positive mental health benefits from participating in outdoor activities and spending time outside. This literature review found that more than 80% of the articles reviewed had at least one association between outdoor activity and positive mental health benefits. Most commonly, the benefits that were identified were decreased stress and anxiety as well as an elevated mood. A 2015 Harvard health research study looked at healthy people who walked for 90 minutes either in nature or in an urban setting and compared their brain activity. The research showed that people who walked in nature had lower brain activity in their prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is an active part of the brain when someone is ruminating, or having repetitive loops of unproductive and negative thoughts. Ruminating is common in depression, anxiety, and high stress.