Management

Article Review

Professor Jules Pretty, How nature contributes to mental and physical health, is an article that focuses on the various forms of nature experiences and their relevant contributions to mental and physical welfare. In the introductory part of the article, the author draws a link between nature and its therapeutic ability to suppress stress levels in individuals. The main premise used in the publication ties mental ailments to the level of reduced nature within the environment, which is attributed to horizontal urban spillages as the global population rises. Mental health within the article relates to the psychological well-being of all individuals as stress levels within the world are on a gradual rise. Pretty uses empirical research materials from globally recognized organizations such as the World Health Organization to strengthen her assertion. This enhances the credibility of the content and information relayed by the article. The rest of the research materials used are peer-reviewed publications that also enhance the credibility of the information contained in the article. The introductory part of the article is thoroughly informative with the definition of key words afforded as well as the supportive argument premises outlined as a way of preparing the reader to the main argument of the article.

The discussion is broken down in distinct sections that cover the various points that nature is experienced and the merits that each has with regard to physical and mental welfare. The experiencing points are easily identified by the subtitles used in the discussion of each element. The use of subtitles infuses an aspect of organization in the article and makes the publication easily comprehensible. Paragraphing has also been utilized within the article and this aids in idea presentation as well as it reduces the time spent in locating the main ideas in the publication. The initial experience discussed in the article relates to nature viewing through windows and the introduction of the same in public and open places. The mental merits attached to nature viewing through this system have been noted through research that has revealed that workers that are near or directly across windows have less stress than those obstructed from nature viewing. Additionally, it was revealed in one of the studies that prisoners whose holding cells had a view of nature were more resistant to illnesses.

Another study conducted in a hospital supported nature’s health abilities by reducing the pain attributed to a lung procedure. This was made possible through an audio presentation of natural sounds like chirping and landscape drawings. The second experience referred to as the incidental exposure was conducted on children that often interacted with nature in potted containers within the house or in their playing fields. The results indicated that the stress patterns in these children were relatively low than that of non-exposed children and that they had an upper hand in recuperation process from a stressing environment or ailment. Consequently, nature is being applied as a healing agent in various children’s hospitals. The third experience, which is direct experience, encompasses such actions like jogging and camping that aid the individual to have a direct association with nature. It is actually different from the second experience since it involves an intrinsic motivation and decision to access areas that are covered with nature.

The medical benefits noted from research conducted in the latter category indicated enhanced management of blood pressure and inter-personal relationships. As noted, these three experiences promote both the mind and the overall health; however, the major benefit is noted in mental welfare. Therefore, to benefit the physical health, the article reviews physical fitness exercises and their health benefits. Pretty concludes the article by combining nature and physical exercises, as ends towards achieving both physical and mental welfare simultaneously. The conclusion offers the future direction that other researchers should undertake in the subject of nature’s contribution to mental and physical health. Although the article has been compiled by a single author, it avoids personal biases due to the wide research materials used in the article.