The Healing Power of Nature: From Diet to Well-being

Our tendency to view ourselves as superior beings on Earth is not a new phenomenon. Indeed, humans are, as far as we know, the only creatures capable of reasoning, which sets us apart from animals and even more so from all trees and plants. However, if we were to use our capacity for reasoning effectively, we would realize that, although we might be different, we are still an integral part of nature. Neglecting this truth significantly undermines ourselves, with far-reaching consequences.

Supermarkets are filled with processed foods, we manage to confine ourselves to four walls for five days a week, eight hours a day, we readily accept daily stress as part of life, and relaxation for many consists of a glass of wine or two. It's no wonder why so many people suffer from mental or psychological issues.

We need a connection with our nature

When I talk about nature, I'm not just referring to all the trees and plants but also to what is natural for us. Everything is interconnected, and if we don't listen to what we naturally need, complaints, or physical discomforts almost always arise. Maybe not immediately, but certainly in the long term.

The healing power of trees and plants

Believe me, you don't have to start hugging trees because of me, but a walk in nature can work wonders. I live practically next to a forest and have never seen a happy person go in and then come out grumpy. Nature has a way of calming us down, both physically and mentally.

This happens because a walk in a natural setting lowers our cortisol levels, our natural stress hormone, and the act of walking itself triggers the release of endorphins. These are our natural painkillers and mood influencers, which also reduce stress and make us feel better.

But that's not all, because unlike in an urban environment, our brain can relax in a natural setting. There's no distraction from traffic lights, honking cars, and cyclists cutting you off. There's peace, and this peace automatically allows your brain to relax as well.

Moreover, many people who spend time walking, cycling, or running in nature are reminded that we are indeed connected to something greater than ourselves, allowing us to put things into perspective. There’s another gift from Mother Nature: trees and plants emit a substance known as phytoncides, which have antibacterial and antifungal qualities. They help plants fight disease. Breathing this in will cause an increase in the number and activity of a type of white blood cells (immune cells). These cells kill tumor- and virus-infected cells in our bodies. This has a direct positive impact on our immune system and contributes to our overall sense of well-being.

That's what nature does for us, completely free of charge! Keep that in mind the next time you accidentally leave a some rubbish in the woods or in the park. Because when we are good to nature, nature is good to us.

The Healing Power of Natural Foods

Nature is our sole source of nutrition, and many natural foods, when pure and unprocessed, have healing properties. The origin of all medicines lies in nature. Pharmaceutical companies alter these natural substances at the molecular level to patent them. Dog owners will recognize that when their dog has digestive issues, it instinctively finds the right kind of grass to ease its problems.

But what we, as ingenious and 'superior' humans, do is process the majority of our food or spray it with poison, causing it to lose its healing effects and even inflict damage in our gut or worse.

Processed foods are often stripped of essential nutrients and filled with artificial additives that can disrupt our bodily functions. Also, the use of pesticides, although intended to increase food production, introduces harmful chemicals into our digestive system and even into the core of our cells. These substances can accumulate in the body, contributing to chronic health problems, including gut dysbiosis, weakened immune response, and increased susceptibility to diseases. In contrast, a diet more aligned with nature—consuming pure, organically grown foods—can actually improve our health.

We are part of a whole

Nature provides exactly what we need. Just that fact alone means we should nurture and utilize nature rather than deplete it. We are mutually dependent on each other, which means we are not superior but part of a whole. Animals are naturally included in this. I myself hardly eat any meat, but I believe there is nothing wrong with consuming some meat or fish sometimes, provided it is pure and unprocessed and the animal has lived a natural life and eaten food that it was naturally meant to eat.

Pure and Natural Meat

Everyone has seen images of factory farms. Under terrible living conditions, these poor animals are often stuffed with antibiotics to prevent potential diseases and given growth hormones to maximize profit from each animal. The treatment of these pitiful creatures is not only cruel and unnatural, but it also results in the production of unhealthy meat. This is without even considering other issues related to the farm industry such as the enormous consumption of water and CO2 emissions that these farms produce.

In this article, I'm not going to discuss whether meat is healthy or unhealthy, but if you do choose to eat meat, do so in moderation and ensure it comes from an animal that has lived in a relatively natural environment and has eaten its natural food. It should have been able to move freely, and eat what it traditionally eats.

Beyond the ethical concerns, consuming meat from such dubious farms can have detrimental effects on our health. The antibiotics and growth hormones used in factory farming can disrupt our own body's balance, leading to antibiotic resistance and hormonal imbalances. Furthermore, the stress and poor diet of the animals can affect the nutritional quality of the meat, lacking in essential nutrients found in naturally raised animals. Eating this kind of meat not only alienates us from ethical and sustainable food practices but may also compromise our health by exposing our bodies to harmful substances. 

Choosing meat from animals raised in natural conditions ensures we nourish our bodies with purer, more nutritious food that aligns with a healthier and more conscious lifestyle.

There is no shortage of food when we make natural choices

Some argue that a food shortage looms and it's impossible to grow or raise everything in a natural way. These individuals overlook the fact that the majority of food available in supermarkets today contains little to no nutritional value or only poor-quality nutrients. If we were to consume only pure and natural foods, we would need a lot less production systems and technically less food to provide the same nutritional value.

Therefore, it's a choice whether to eat purely and to include sufficient amounts of natural, pesticide-free vegetables and fruits in our diet. It's a choice to see yourself as part of a whole and to make natural choices. Of course, everyone is free to choose, but be aware that neglecting the natural needs of your body for wholesome food and making poor choices can detrimentally affect your mental and physical health in the long run.

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FAQ: The Healing Power of Nature: From Diet to Well-being

Why is a natural diet important for our health?

A natural diet, filled with pure, wholesome and unprocessed foods, provides essential nutrients that our bodies need to function optimally. Unlike processed foods, which can be stripped of their nutritional value and filled with harmful additives, natural foods support our body's healing processes and contribute to overall well-being.

How does nature impact our mental and physical health?

Nature plays a crucial role in both our mental and physical health. Spending time in natural settings can lower stress levels, improve mood, and enhance mental clarity. Physically, it encourages active lifestyles and can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Nature's ability to calm and heal us underscores our deep connection to the natural world.

What can we do to reconnect with nature?

Reconnecting with nature can be as simple as spending more time outdoors, whether that's walking, running, gardening, or just enjoying a park. Embracing natural foods and reducing our reliance on processed goods also fosters a closer relationship with the natural world, benefiting both our health and the environment.

How does consuming processed foods and meat from factory farms affect us?

Consuming processed foods and meat from animals raised in unnatural conditions can harm our health. These foods often contain sugar, antibiotics, growth hormones, and other additives and substances that can disrupt our bodily functions and contribute to chronic health issues. Additionally, they lack the nutritional richness found in naturally raised animal products and plant-based foods.

What are the ethical and environmental considerations of our food choices?

Our food choices have significant ethical and environmental impacts. Factory farming practices not only cause suffering to animals but also contribute to excessive water consumption, CO2 emissions, and loss of biodiversity. By choosing natural, sustainably sourced foods, we can help mitigate these impacts and promote a more ethical relationship with our environment and the planet as a whole.

Can making natural choices really prevent food shortages?

Embracing natural and sustainable food practices can help address issues of food scarcity. Much of the current food production is inefficient and environmentally damaging. By focusing on natural foods and reducing waste, we can create a more sustainable food system that is capable of supporting the global population.