How Nature Restores Health
July 28, 2020
Health Tip 9: Did you know trees, nature, and water all contribute to good health?
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:1-3
We spent three days backpacking in the Wallowa Wilderness area during our vacation. We saw no one outside our family until we were hiking out on the last day. We slept beside a rushing creek with a view of majestic mountains on both sides of the creek. We day hiked to a gorgeous mountain lake and enjoyed a lunch while taking in the beauty around us. It is hard to describe how wonderful it felt to be out in God’s creation for those three days.
Being out in nature has been shown to have many benefits. A very interesting study was published in 2007 by a Japanese researcher on “forest bathing.” Researchers took a small group of medical students to the forest for a weekend. They slept in a cabin in the woods and during the day took two walks of 2.5 kilometers each. Blood tests to measure natural killer cells, as well as other things, were done – before they left for the forest, each morning they were there, one week later, and thirty days later. These blood tests showed significant increases in natural killer cell activity at the end of the weekend. These levels had not fallen at the end of seven days and the positive effects were still present thirty days later. The same researchers did another study that confirmed that it was actually being in the forest that provided the positive benefits – not just being away from medical school for a weekend.
We shouldn’t be surprised by results like this. Our first home was a garden and we can learn about God from all of His creation. Maybe we need to let Him lead us beside still waters and make us to lie down in green pastures often for the sake of our bodies and so that He can restore our souls and lead us in His path.
"Forest Bathing Enhances Human Natural Killer Activity," 2007,
International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology,
Volume 20, number 2, (52) 3-8.
News
Highlights from the highest governing body of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Köhler previously was serving as the secretary of the General Conference.
The SonBridge Dental Clinic in College Place, Washington gave 157 people with unaddressed dental issues relief at a free community dental fair in May.
The General Conference Session will be held July 3-12 in St. Louis, Missouri. The theme for the session is "Jesus is Coming, I Will Go!"
Suspended 60 feet off the ground, there’s only one thing holding you up: trust.
Women of all ages enjoyed a restorative day of worship at this year’s spring women’s and young women’s one day retreat held on May 3. This year’s theme, Crafted by Grace, emphasized God’s abundant grace-filled plan for our lives.
Three academy students from Upper Columbia Conference received the $500 2025 Caring Heart Award scholarship, made possible through three-way funding from North Pacific Union, local conferences and academies.
During a joint meeting of the nominating committee and executive committee held Wednesday, May 28, Eric Brown was appointed as UCC vice president for administration.
Community members in Wenatchee now have a place to grow their own food, thanks to Wenatchee Adventist Church.
Patty Marsh, director of UCC women’s ministries, children’s ministries, urban ministries, disaster relief, and Adventist Community Services (ACS) is now retiring after 25 years of service in Upper Columbia Conference.
