The environment we are all exposed to live in has a powerful influence on our physical and mental health. There are several psychological disorders that are manifested by environmental causes, which added to our biological predisposition, contribute to the decline of our mood and the rise of our anxiety levels among other symptoms.

Nowadays, there is a medical term called biophilia, which refers to contact with Nature as a means to improve our health. Modern architecture resorts to biophilic design to try and emulate Nature in buildings and urban spaces by incorporating different elements of Nature both indoors and  outdoors.

Ancient Greek medicine established that "Nature is the physician of all diseases." Currently, one of the most interesting findings discovered by neuroscience in recent years has been the importance of direct contact with natural environments for our brain and mental health, sceneries that generate experiences called “awareness” when facing a natural and stunning environment.

According to some studies, just 120 minutes of contact with Nature a week can improve mental health and well-being, since it considerably increases the production of the so-called “happiness hormones”: endorphin, serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin.

The Japanese have created a therapy called "Shinrin Yoku" which means "Forest Bathing." Shinrin Yoku allows us to experience Nature through all our senses when hearing the birds sing, when seeing the different shades of colors in the trees, flowers and in the sunlight reflected through the branches, when smelling the forest fragrance as a form of natural aromatherapy, when savoring the freshness of the air while deeply breathing the fresh air. So, hugging a tree is literally beneficial to our health.

Research in a growing scientific field called "ecotherapy" has shown a strong connection between the time we spend in Nature and the decrease in stress, anxiety and depression as well as mental fatigue produced by the directed attention when staring at tablets, mobile phones, computers , etc.

According to studies at NASA, the leaves, roots, soil, and associated microorganisms of plants have been evaluated as a possible means of reducing indoor air pollutants.

Science is proving something that we have always known intuitively: Nature benefits our brain, it helps us to be healthier, happier and smarter.

Breathing fresh air increases the flow of oxygen. This helps improve blood pressure and heart rate, it also benefits food digestion. The cleaner the air we breathe, the more oxygen we inhale, which increases the amount of serotonin (the happiness hormone). The more oxygen we inhale, the more our immune system is strengthened, by helping white blood cells to fight bacteria and germs more effectively. Clean air causes the lungs to expand thanks to the increasing oxygen, causing a cleansing effect when inhaling and releasing toxins when exhaling.

According to several sources - quoted below - the major advantages for our health when being in direct contact with Nature are: