She walked among the trees, each step measured, each breath deep. Exposure to natural environments has been shown to reduce stress, lower cortisol levels, and improve overall well-being (Bratman et al. 2).
Being in nature also restores attention, enhances motivation, and increases cognitive functioning (Berman et al. 1207). She did not hurry. She let the sunlight through the canopy touch her skin. Freedom was not a place. It was the rhythm of air, earth, and presence beneath her feet.Works Cited (MLA)
Berman, Marc G., et al. “The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting with Nature.” Psychological Science, vol. 19, no. 12, 2008, pp. 1207–1212.
Bratman, Gregory N., et al. “Nature and Mental Health: An Ecosystem Service Perspective.” Science Advances, vol. 5, no. 7, 2019, eaax0903.
No comments:
Post a Comment