Back to Nature
Studies are showing ever increasing amounts of stress, anxiety and burn-outs among students. If you weren’t suffering from any of these symptoms already, the amount of media coverage on how miserable we are will get you there. It seems there is a lot of talk about the problem, but hardly any about the solution. But fear not, my fellow anxious students, for I bring you the answer: nature documentaries.
There are plenty of studies that show that spending time in nature increases happiness and well-being. But who has time between studies, social lives and sleep to travel to the scarce bits of nature that are left in this tiny country? No one. So why not bring nature to you? A good nature documentary brings all the joy of being surrounded by nature to the comfort of your own home, requiring zero effort from your part! All you have to do is sit back and relax.
And let’s face it, the sensory experience is unlike anything else. The moment Sir David Attenborough starts speaking, a deep calm will hug you like a warm blanket. If this man’s voice does not bring you peace of mind, I don’t know what will. The combination of his soothing voice, the bright, moving colours on the screen and the sound of an orchestra in the background feels like a pleasant, hypnotic cocoon. You don’t necessarily have to take in Sir David’s speech. You can just let the words wash over you if it feels right.
But if you can muster up the energy to listen, the colorful animals and their quirks may just put your mundane worries into perspective. There’s thousands of species out there that you don’t know about, surviving and helping the planet thrive in ingenious ways. So, when you put things into perspective, how important is that presentation, really?
There is no need for expensive and time-consuming interventions like therapy, mindfulness courses or yoga classes. No painful social interaction is necessary. Next time you feel like you’re drowning in deadlines, social obligations and sleep deprivations, just sit down and let nature soothe you from the comfort of your own home.
Advertentie.
