In this week's Heal Thy Self episode, I dive into the powerful impact that nature exposure can have on our mental and physical health - even if we just experience it indoors through plants, flowers, natural sounds, and aromas. I'll share fascinating research on how simply viewing roses or plants can increase relaxation and parasympathetic activity while decreasing stress and sympathetic arousal. You'll learn how the scents of certain trees and plants, like hinoki cypress and cedars, can boost immune function and natural killer cell activity while lowering stress hormones like adrenaline. I'll also reveal the unexpected benefits of listening to birdsong and nature sounds on improving focus, sleep quality, mood, and even cardiovascular health. Get ready for easy "exposure hacks" you can use to radically enhance your indoor environment and well-being.

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Puori https://puori.com/drg and use code DRG for 20% off the already discounted subscription prices. 

Molly's Suds https://mollyssuds.com/drg and use code DRG for 20% off

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References:

-Park S.-H., Mattson R.H. Therapeutic Influences of Plants in Hospital Rooms on Surgical Recovery. HortScience. 2009;44:102–105. doi: 10.21273/HORTSCI.44.1.102.

-Ulrich R.S. View through a Window May Influence Recovery from Surgery. Science. 1984;224:420–421. doi: 10.1126/science.6143402.

-Li Q, Kobayashi M, Wakayama Y, et al. Effect of phytoncide from trees on human natural killer cell function. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2009;22(4):951-959.

-Ikei H, Song C, Miyazaki Y. Physiological effect of olfactory stimulation by Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) leaf oil. J Physiol Anthropol. 2015;34(1):44.

-Ikei H., Komatsu M., Song C., Himoro E., Miyazaki Y. The physiological and psychological relaxing effects of viewing rose flowers in office workers. J. Physiol. Anthropol. 2014 doi: 10.1186/1880-6805-33-6.

-Ikei H., Song C., Igarashi M., Namekawa T., Miyazaki Y. Physiological and psychological relaxing effects of visual stimulation with foliage plants in high school students. Adv. Hortic. Sci. 2014;28:111–116.