Researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found an amazing correlation between living in a home surrounded by greenery and longevity and mental health. (1,2)
They evaluated more than 108,000 women all across America between the years 2000 and 2008. They found that there was a 12 percent lower risk of death for those women who lived in the greenest surroundings.
Women with the greenest vegetation around their homes were 34 percent less likely to die of a respiratory-related issue. They also found that women living in the greenest environments were 13 percent less likely to die of cancer. (1,2)
The researchers were quite surprised by this strong correlation that also extended into mental health. Women living in the greenest environments were happier and less depressed. (1,2)
Harvard Study Proves Ancient Wisdom
According to Ayurveda, spending time in the nature or green space around plants builds “ojas” – a substance linked to longevity, vitality and radiant health. Ojas is the end-product of the most refined aspects of complete digestion which, according to Ayurveda, takes 30 days to complete. The production of ojas, the most delicate and refined substance in the body, is dependent on one’s lifestyle, attitude, diet and stress.
According to the new science called Circadian Medicine, stress and living a lifestyle outside of the circadian rhythms of nature are well-known to compromise health. >>> Learn more here
The benefits of living according to and in harmony with the rhythms of nature have been the foundation of Ayurveda for thousands of years.
Interestingly, science tells us that our health-promoting microbes, our longevity genes and hormones along with the health of our chromosomes are also linked to stress, attitude, diet and lifestyle. (3-11) One of the most important techniques to build ojas is to spend time in nature. It could be in your garden, yard or a park. It could be regularly hiking, camping or meditating on a rock — it all builds ojas.
According to Ayurveda, certain foods build ojas as well. They are:
- Raw or vat-pasteurized, non-homogenized cow’s milk.
- Grass-fed organic ghee
- Raw organic honey
- Organic almonds
- Organic saffron
- Organic coconut
- Organic dates
- Organic Ashwagandha
- Organic Shatavari
These foods are traditionally made into a drink to be taken before bed. >>> Learn more here
Source: John Douillard – http://lifespa.com/nature-deficit-disorder-shortens-lifespan/
Filed under: All Posts, Community, Environment, Family Health, Fitness, Food, Fooducation, Health, Men's Health, Outdoors, Women's Health Tagged: Depression, Diet influencing mood, Energy Balancing, Environment influencing mood, Human relationship to plants and greenery, John Douillard, Nature, Nature as medicine
