Going out to nature is therapy to the body and soul

Growing up I was always outside playing, running, having fun with friends or doing whatever it was. Being in nature made me feel at home and I felt very peaceful inside. 
Just today I was out walking around in a near by park and I took off my shoes and was walking slowly, breathing calmly and slowly. Soothing wind blew and overall felt recharged and ready to go.

I decided to look more into the issue and came across an amazing article that I want to share with everyone.

Why Nature Is Therapeutic Humans crave a connection with nature. From gardening and horticulture to taking a stroll through the park or hiking through the mountains, man has found solace in nature for centuries. But with a rapidly deteriorating environment, shortage of open spaces, fear of “stranger-danger” during outdoor playtime, and an emerging culture of technology-obsessed youth, American life is punctuated by nature deprivation and a disconnect with the world around us. Although quality time in nature is hard to come by, here are a few reasons to make the great outdoors a part of daily life.
A Natural High
Generations of brilliant minds, naturalists and authors have documented the many benefits of spending time in nature. Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), an American author, naturalist, and philosopher best known for his book Walden, celebrated the therapeutic effects of nature by saying, “I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.” Nature has played an integral role in the quest for happiness and personal fulfillment of many other historical figures as well, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Muir and Charles Darwin. Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), acclaimed architect and philosopher, advised, “Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.”
There is a strong body of research confirming that direct contact with nature increases mental health and psychological and spiritual development. Benefits include stress reduction, a sense of coherence and belonging, improved self-confidence and self-discipline, and a broader sense of community.
I. Stress Reduction
More than 100 research studies have shown that outdoor recreation reduces stress. In a study of individuals exposed to stressful videos of accidents, those who watched a subsequent nature video experienced faster recovery than those who watched a video with other content.1 Another study established that a view of nature, even through a window, speeds recovery from surgery, improves work performance, and increases job satisfaction.2 By observing the ever-changing environments in nature, individuals cultivate a positive attitude, renewed attention, mindfulness, and sensory awareness. In the words of renowned naturalist and essayist John Burroughs (1837-1921), “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”
II. Meaning and PurposeBeing in nature also bestows a sense of connectedness, meaning, and purpose. There is a sense of chaotic order in the way nature works; the plants and animals are interconnected in a series of complex relationships. Everything coexists in nature without the necessity of outside intervention. It is a system that has existed successfully since the beginning of time, which provides a sense of structure, coherence, and reliability for those wise enough to use nature as a model for life. Realizing that human beings are an essential component of this larger structure can supply a sense of purpose and belonging.
For many, respect and enjoyment of nature also leads to a sense of spirituality and an appreciation for powers larger than oneself. The wilderness teaches that each individual is unique but also part of the larger whole. In a world bogged down by social pressures, standards of conduct, and the demands of others, nature gives people a chance to appreciate a grander sense that the world is alive, fascinating and meaningful. This universal appeal crosses all cultures and time periods. “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better,” advised legendary physicist Albert Einstein (1879-1955) .
III. Heightened Awareness and Physical Activity
Outdoor settings beg for activity rather than passivity as the world is best explored on foot. Hiking through the wilderness merges a heightened sense of awareness of one’s surroundings with the need to take action to move through and be part of nature. People understand and process environmental information through mapping, exploring, and interpreting the landscapes, obstacles, and surroundings. This type of physical activity reduces depression and anxiety, reduces the risk of disease, and improves psychological well-being. In fact, research suggests outdoor exercise has even more beneficial effect than indoor exercise.
A strenuous trek through mountains or desert can represent both a physical journey and a journey of self. Spending time in nature’s silence better acquaints people with their own thoughts and feelings, leading to a sense of calm and inner peace. As expressed by early preservationist and Sierra Club founder John Muir (1838-1914), “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you… while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”
Up to the Challenge
In nature, people learn that challenge is actually the opportunity to improve oneself, develop an internal locus of control, and build confidence. Wilderness experiences give people an optimistic confidence in the predictability of nature and the pace of life, combined with a healthy ability to surrender control. Nature-goers learn to trust their innate ability to overcome both expected and unexpected obstacles and to appreciate that things work out even if they aren’t in complete control. In short, they learn they can cope with whatever comes their way, which in turn builds confidence and a sense of self-efficacy and achievement.
While rising to a challenge is important for developing self-esteem, shared challenge offers the added benefits of affiliation, social support, intimacy, and the ability to help others. This sense of community and intimacy that develops by facing challenges in the company of others translates into other group settings as well, such as the family unit.
A Nature-Deprived Youth Culture
For many American children, quality playtime outdoors has been replaced by televisions and computers indoors. In a survey from Hofstra University, 70 percent of mothers reported playing outdoors every day when they were young, compared with only 31 percent of their children. Fifty-six percent of mothers reported that, when they were children, they stayed outside for three hours at a time or longer, compared with only 22 percent of their children. A study by Sandra Hofferth at the University of Maryland reported that, from 1997 to 2003, there was a decline of 50 percent in the number of children ages 9 to 12 who spent time doing outside activities like hiking, walking, and playing at the beach.
Natural spaces stimulate children’s imaginations and creativity, and playing outdoors enhances cognitive flexibility, problem-solving ability, and self-discipline. Unfortunately, most children between 6 months and 6 years of age spend an average of 1.5 hours a day with electronic media, and youth between 8 and 18 years of age spend an average of 6.5 hours a day with electronic media, totaling more than 45 hours a week.3
In recent years, health care providers have begun to recognize the therapeutic attributes of nature for treating conditions like attention disorders and depression. Researchers at the University of Illinois have shown that the greener a child’s everyday environment, the more manageable their symptoms of attention-deficit disorder. 4 In a UK study released in April 2007, a majority of people with mental health disorders reported that taking a “green walk” decreased their depression (71%), reduced their tension (50%), and increased their self-esteem (90%).5 Studies also show that nature in forms as simple as a plant at work or trees in front of an apartment complex help reduce stress, improve coping skills, and develop self-discipline. 6
Children and Teens in the Wilderness
Children and teenagers benefit from experiences in nature more than any other population, particularly in the area of academic performance. A 2005 study by the American Institutes for Research demonstrated that students in outdoor science programs improved their science testing scores by 27 percent. 7 Moreover, participation in outdoor education was directly associated with improved conflict resolution skills and cooperation.
Many parents are choosing wilderness camps and programs to help their troubled teens. Adolescence, an angst-ridden period of self-discovery, is the ideal time to discover the lessons nature can teach. When a teen is immersed into a wilderness experience, they leave their family, their familiar community and environment and the roles they have adopted, to try out new social roles. This “fresh start” presents the opportunity to develop a new self-image, a new way of relating to other people and the environment, and new ways to respond to the challenges of daily life. Ideal candidates for therapeutic wilderness programs are students exhibiting at-risk behaviors, including defiance, rebellion, experimentation with drugs and/or alcohol, sexual promiscuity, poor performance in school, and other behavioral difficulties.
Anne Frank, author of The Diary of a Young Girl, written during the German occupation in World War II, summed up the therapeutic benefits of being nature:
“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God.
Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.”
Ulrich, et al. (1991). “Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments.” Journal of Environmental Psychology, 11 (3), 201-230.
2Ulrich, R.S. (1984). “View Through a Window May Influence Recovery From Surgery.” Science, 22, 42-421. See also www.americanforests.org/productsandpubs/magazine/archives/2002fall/perspectives.php.
3E. Vandewater, et al. “Digital Childhood: Electronic Media and Technology Use Among Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers.” Pediatrics, May 2007. Available at: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/119/5/e1006.
4F. Kuo and A. Taylor. “A Potential Natural Treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Evidence From a National Study.” American Journal of Public Health, Sept. 2004. Available at: www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/94/9/1580.
5″Now a Green Agenda for Mental Health.” Available at: www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news/Now-a-Green-Agenda-for-Mental-Health-21784-1.
6See www.floridagardening.org/download/BenefitofPlants.pdf, http://parksandpeople.org/publications/special_reports/TreeBenefits.pdf and www.projectevergreen.com/pdf/Technical%20Bulletin.pdf.
7 “Effects of Outdoor Education Programs for Children in California.” American Institutes for Research, 2005. Available at: http://www.air.org/news/documents/Outdoorschoolreport.pdf. http://www.crchealth.com/find-a-treatment-center/struggling-youth-programs/help/nature-is-therapeutic/

Reading this really put a lot of knowledge into why I was feeling like I was, nature is therapy to us and to nature itself. How amazing is it that we are a part of something so grand and mysterious that we are constantly learnings new things everyday it seems.

I always want to increase my knowledge about the benefits of natural therapy, I'm attracted to healing with the most thing that is familiar to us. mother nature.

If you agree then comment below or share this with your friends.

Have a great day

Traditional Faith healers Philippines - Various Methods, Medicine and Faith

Philippines has today a vast various methods of faith healers, some stemming from ancient traditional methods via herbs, spiritual, masseuses, natural vegetation ( such as banana leaves ) and a great variety of mixed methods of modern medicine mixed with traditional ones. Some are pretty much whatever to find cures and you got to also be aware of the scammers out there..

Real authentic practitioners do provide results via psychological and physical. There are great reasons who when you get a messauge, your body feels refreshed and lifted. It's helps clearing blood streams from congestions and overall revive the body, and this is backed by studies on matter. It's important to point out. Medicine and doctors can cost money and the traditional method is simply much more cost efficient when a majority of the people cannot afford the modern prices, then it makes more sense to revert to methods that helped people before modern medicine.

This was a good find that I want to share with you that discusses "how does faith healing work"

In Asia there are few health services of the Western variety available for the majority of the people, but the services of a "doctor" versed in native medical lore and trained in the traditional Asian manner can be obtained without too much trouble. The average Asian doesn't visit a doctor's office. He must be very sick before he goes to the expense of calling a doctor - either Western or Asian. Doctors and medicine cost money and the ordinary Asian doesn't have money on hand for such an expense. Medical treatment may mean that someone goes hungry and that a whole family may have to eat less for a year for the sake of one ailing person. A doctor is often considered as a last resort. The tolerance level for pain is very high. I recall an elderly Filipina who came to our home seeking medical care. She was very ill, yet she didn't complain. She appeared stoic. We brought her to the hospital, where she died only a few days after admittance. We have seen many people with ugly sores walking down the street. The deformed, maimed and blind people are seen wherever one travels. Large cities in the Philippines like Manila and Cebu have up-to-date medical services, but the vast rural areas in the provinces suffer from an acute lack of modern medical services. Because the medical needs are so enormous and treatment so expensive, the ancient medical practices, whether in the Philippines or elsewhere, are still popular.

In Sri Lanka, for example, magical medical men are doing brisk business. These people call themselves "occult practitioners". The ministry of Cultural Affairs gives financial assistance to the legitimate practitioners of the magical arts. "Any such person," explains ministry secretary Nalin Ratnayake, "must have his application authenticated by the MP for his area." This is all it takes to be in business. These occult practitioners use a wide variety of methods. The most spectacular is the Yak Netum, or devil dancing, to appease the evil spirits, believed to bring various forms of illness. The proponents of the magical method maintain that their art is an arm of Ayurveda, the ancient South Asia medical discipline related to yoga and which relies heavily on herbal cures. D. G. Gabo Singho, president of the Sri Lanka Occult Practitioners Association, takes his work seriously. He comments: "Of course there are the charlatans who practice it for money. But any true Kattadiya (occult practitioner) is generally carrying, on an important family tradition. Money is not important. Many have gained a wealth of knowledge from ola (palm leaf) books preserved through the generations."
In the Philippines, there are basically three types of traditional healers: the Albularyo (herb doctors), the Baylan (mediums) and the Espiritista (spiritualists).

Albularyo

A herb doctor lives in a village and has an occupation. He may be a farmer, a plow maker or a carpenter. He is well sought after. He will not perform surgery, He will accompany his patient all the way to the hospital. But even there his task is not always finished. When the relatives of the patient feel that the hospital treatment is not adequate, they may still resort to the herb doctor. One such "doctor" said: "At times the parents or relatives still call me in. I remember several instances where I would be smuggled into the hospital posing as a visitor. When the doctors and nurses are out of the room I treat the patient, using herbs and oraciones (prayers)." The matter of treatment seems strange to the Westerner. If the herb doctor attributes a relatively mild case of fever in a child to the spirits, he may try to drive them away through the offering of prayers and food. Dr. Juan M. Flavier, president of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction in the Philippines, interviewed some herb doctors. He asked one, "What types of illness do you feel doctors don’t know about?” The herb doctor replied, "Those of the spirit and those that are unseen, as for example, the sickness of the soil." The "sickness of the soil" refers to being struck down with illness brought on by spirits living in the ground. The disease may take various forms. The herb doctor commented to Dr. Flavier, "No one can deny the existence of such spirits but doctors continue to deny them as causes of some diseases.

The Baylan

So called mediumistic healing, in one form or another, is found in many countries. In the Philippines, mediums are believed to possess extraordinary powers to cure sickness, to exorcise evil spirits from the rice fields, or out of the human body, and to intercede with good spirits for the petitions of the people. The mediums claim to have special knowledge of the environmental spirits. They perform all important rituals, chant prayers for the community when the barrio faces a crisis. How do mediums function? F. Landa Jocano, a Filipino scholar, witnessed numerous mediumistic experiences in a small, rural community in central Panay.

Espiritists

Plane loads of ailing Western tourists have made their way to Baguio City to seek healing from a "faith healer". Baguio City, a beautiful resort center, north of Manila, is frequented by rich Filipinos and Westerners during the hot dry season. It is well-known for its faith-healers. At least four faith-healers practice there. Some ten others operate in nearby Pangasinan province. These healers are called spiritualist, psychic or astral surgeons who claim to cut incisions with their fingers and perform other miracles of para-science.

Read The Full Post http://www.reformedreflections.ca/studies/faith-h-in-philippines.html

The power within us is something astounishing and just amazing. More people should connect spiritually rather the materialistically. Love and emotions can only be felt and not bought. Do you agree ??  Comment below

Hope your gotten value out of this post.

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Philippino Traditional Therapy - Manghihilot For Better Health and healing

Alternative medicine has been practiced in the Philippines and is still is today in many parts. With various methods not all came in form of herbs and medicine..

There is a common traditional therapy. Manghihilot comes as a massage therapist/chiropractor which promotes healing and good health. A treatment of very affordable and with little to no resources. This simple, yet effective method relies on mainly the hands of a healer who touches and checks for stress, tensions, body issues like bone fractures, stretching muscles as well.Very important to point out how this ancient indigenous practice recognizes the natural benefits of touch therapy.

The principal of this therapy is that being ill is an imbalance of energies and spiritual strength.

Not just anyone can be a healer. The healer is to be one connected with the elements of earth, water, air and fire. Some one who is balanced and understands balance.. A healer can by touch feel the patient palm, back and checks temperature, lumps, tensions and muscle stresses.
What medical sciences call today as the Diagnose stage. Once the healer has his diagnoses, they begin the treatment or session.

A session can take a few minutes depending on the person and follow up are needed as well. Most healers will incorporate special oils, herbs and even banana leaves. Remember the point of this is to bring the balance back to the person either from mental issues like stress, ect or physical issues like internal issues and or being sick. The massaging of muscles and tissues, improves the blood flow through the body and applying pressure on certain locations.

This simple, yet effective method relies on mainly person to person interaction and a healer is someone who can help people live better. If it worked for thousands of years. I'm certain it will work today as well.

Do you need a health insurance plan to afford a Manghihilot ? No. That's one of the best parts about this therapy is it's very cost effective for everyone and with very little if any prescribed medicine. It's not pro big profits that's for sure. It's pro sound body and sound mind.

Offcourse though Manghihilot are not miracle workers, they do what they can and science has proven it effective to extents. It's more important the individual live a balanced life and thus maybe they won't need a Manghihilot, but seeing one is never a bad thing cause the body takes much abuse daily from ourselves and it deserves to be healed in what we eat and how we take care of it.

#Manhihilot #ancienttherapy

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