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Photography by Karen Tran
How can nature help us relax?
Connecting with nature help students
There was a study done on patients cope with physical and mental
who underwent gallbladder discomforts. An escape from the
surgery; half of the patients had a indoors to view the scenery of nature
view of trees and the other half had reduces anger, fear and stress and
a view of a wall. According to the
physician who conducted the study, increases pleasant feelings. When
Robert Ulrich, the patients with the students are exposed to nature, not
view of trees tolerated pain better, only will nature cause students feel
better emotionally. Being in nature
had fewer negative effects, and also contributes to students’ physical
spent less time in a hospital. well-being: reducing blood pressure,
heart rate, muscle tension, and the
You may think it is normal for everyone production of stress hormones.
to be on their phones and laptops all the Spending a small time away from
time; however, this is not healthy. studying and technology can help
Consistent screen exposure results in improve students’ overall mood;
“nature deprivation,” which is decreasing anxiety and depression.
considered to be a lack of time spent in
the natural world. Nature deprivation https://www.waterloo.ca/en/gettingactiv
has been associated, unsurprisingly, e/waterloopark.asp to explore the many
with depression. services and activities that Waterloo
park has to offer to the students of the
University of Waterloo.
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