Preserve Nature 

I had an opportunity to visit the northern part of Sikkim recently. The enthralling and captivating beauty of Lachung, Yumthang Valley, and the flora and fauna around Chomoyummo and Khangchengyao peaks provided an impetus for me to put forward the essence of nature in front of you. A natural kingdom envelops biotic and abiotic components and their existence. Its four elements—air, water, earth, fire, and ether—and their interdependence or relationship make our existence possible on this planet.

It is quite mysterious how the creator of nature is unknown, yet it encompasses mesmerising beauty for everyone around it. With vivid ecosystems, landscapes, biodiversity, and other components, it indulges one in its captivating beauty. Our mother nature induces peace, harmony, and the well-being of us humans and the planet as a whole. Therefore, expressing ourselves towards nature comes with innumerable benefits.

 Comprising a diverse biodiversity ranging from the tiniest insects to mammoth creatures and accompanied by stunning mountains, seas, lakes, forests, and grasslands, nature not only gives an environment with visual perception but also provides an environment with peaceful sounds like the flowing of rivers, sea waves, waterfalls, along with gentle breezes, the chirping of birds, and a lot of other species. 

Importance

The use of natural components is crucial for our proper well-being. Research has shown that the environment we live in plays a crucial role in balancing our stress levels, which in turn impacts our bodies. Overactive minds get quietened. At any moment, what we see or experience has an effect not only on our mood but also on our nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. Exposure to nature has multiple advantages, like decreasing stress and anxiety, maintaining blood pressure and heart rate, and enhancing mood and spirit. It also helps reduce depression, unwanted thoughts, and loneliness and promotes one’s satisfaction, enthusiasm, and exhilaration. 

Nature immersion 

Travelling places during holidays and weekends is one of the best and most productive ways of utilising time in nature. Research has shown that indoor plants for fresh and purified air and staying in a room near windows can be more beneficial than we can imagine to reduce stress and anxiety. We should regularly explore and enjoy nature by participating in morning walks, cycling, swimming, etc. Consequently, the more time we spend with nature, the better it is going to be for our health. When we connect ourselves to the earth, it secretes happy hormones, viz., serotonin, oxytocin, endorphin, and dopamine. Year after year, Finland is always at the top of the world happiness index due to clean air and pure water. The Finns walk around in the woods very frequently, and they know how to relax and sweat out the negative energy in saunas. 

Mind relaxation

According to research journal quotes, 95 per cent of those interviewed felt their mood improved after spending time outside, changing from depressed, stressed, and anxious to a calmer and balanced state, enhancing their well-being. Various other studies also showed that time in nature or scenes of nature are associated with a good, vibrant mood, psychological well-being, meaningfulness, and vitality. Our natural world helps us take our attention away from pain and discomfort. There has been a classic study by Ulrich, who states that after gallstone surgery, patients who were exposed to trees or greenery in the rooms or outside tolerated pain much better than those who were not. Their complaints to the staff nurses were minimal for their discomfort, as the pain threshold was high for them.

Nature hardship

Nature hardship, known as the lack of natural time in the world, impacts heavily on our well-being. Spending a lot of time in front of the television, mobile, computer screens, or other gadgetry may cause irregular sleep, obesity, poor academic performances, etc. 

The Mayo Clinic of the USA, widely regarded as one of the best hospitals in the world, recommends limiting our screen time to two hours per day, especially for kids; if it is more than that, it could certainly lead to various undesirable consequences.

Everyone should acknowledge nature's significant role in our lives. Spending time in nature with friends and family, with music and bright weather, acts like the icing on the cake. Nature is sacred; it deserves to be protected. It is our responsibility to contribute to the betterment of nature for our planet and future generations. We have to work on its conservation, viz., promoting ecosystems and tourist destinations, and working on global warming and climate change. Such acts of preservation and promotion help the future generation and humanity. 

(Adhikary is awaiting the SEE result.)