The most underrated stress reliever in the modern world. “We must think of nature as a cure”
A study published in Biology Reviews, carried out by researchers from the University of Zurich, shows that the human body no longer keeps up with the pace of modern life. In short: the world is changing much faster than the way we are built to function.
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The researchers explain this gap very clearly. For hundreds of thousands of years, humans lived in nature and faced rare but intense dangers (you encountered a dangerous animal, you had to run or defend yourself). The body reacts immediately, and after the danger disappears, calmness sets in.
“The lion appeared from time to time, but the main thing was that he was leaving” says Colin Shaw, the study's coordinator. The problem is that in the modern world the “lion” never leaves.
The constant noise of the city, intense artificial light, extended working hours, the avalanche of notifications and lack of sleep are interpreted by the brain as situations that demand an immediate reaction. The nervous system goes on alert just like in the face of real danger, only the reaction does not stop.
Consequences: inflammation, anxiety, decreased fertility
“Whether you're having a tense conversation with your boss or being bothered by traffic noise, your body reacts as if it's faced with real, repeated danger. The stress system kicks in, but doesn't get time to recover.” clarifies Daniel Longman, co-author of the study.
And the effects are already being seen in the human body: chronic inflammation, anxiety, hormonal disturbances, decreased fertility, immune problems and general exhaustion. Researchers even talk about a paradox: while the modern world has brought comfort, technology and advanced treatments, the same world overtaxes our bodies in an unprecedented way.
Shaw also explains the biological side: real adaptation takes tens of thousands of years, and we've changed everything in just a century. For biology, it's a major shock.
That's why the team proposes a common sense solution, but supported by data: reconnecting with nature is not a fad, but a health factor. Spending time in green spaces reduces stress hormones, lowers inflammation and stabilizes the nervous system, which is exactly what our bodies know how to do naturally.
“We must think of nature as a cure”say the researchers. Cities should be built with more green areas, natural light, peace and spaces for mental recovery. And people should prioritize contact with the natural environment.
We remind you that Dr. Alberto Villoldo, anthropologist and shaman, talks about the same gap in a practical note: an overstimulated body, a tired brain and a culture that leaves us no time to adjust.
“Amazon shamans have always understood that you can't be well if you're disconnected from nature. If you're disconnected from nature, you'll get sick. We've disconnected from the forest, even from the food we eat. And even from the microbiome, that ecosystem that lives inside us, which we've assaulted with antibiotics.” he declared, recently, in an interview granted to “Adevărul”.
In the face of modern stress, Villoldo does not discuss in terms of statistics, but destiny: “The mind can heal you or destroy you. Everything you think and everything you believe becomes reality. If you can change your core beliefs, you can create health.”
In his opinion, health today also means synchronization with a personal meaning, not only with medical analyses: “When a patient comes to me with a thick file of investigations, I have to convince him that he is not a diagnosis. He is not a cancer. He is not a medical label. He is a living miracle.”
The connection with European research is surprisingly coherent: the study says that chronic stress affects the endocrine system, immunity and fertility. Villoldo says it affects “story, destiny and the relationship with one's own soul.” Two different languages, the same central observation: our biology is not built for the pace of the modern world.
“Most people wait until they get sick to start doing something about their health. We need prevention,” adds Alberto Villoldo.
The same idea appears in the study in Biology Reviews: the deterioration of health comes not just from genetic or individual factors, but from an ecosystem of continuous stress that the body was not designed to handle.
