The wonders of nature can greatly alleviate daily stress. Nature was designed this way by a loving Creator. This truth is illustrated by the two primary colors of nature: the blue sky and green vegetation. There is scientific evidence that green and blue are not only soothing and relaxing but are associated with lower levels of anxiety. Blue is associated with the “secure/comfortable” and the “tender/soothing,” which imply pleasure and low arousal. It also slows the pulse rate and lowers body temperature.

A day spent in nature is a day surrounded by sound. The playful rustle of wind dancing through trees. The soothing coos of a morning dove. The ceaseless rhythm of the ocean. The enchanting chirp of crickets on a summer’s eve. Swirling water tumbling over itself in a lively brook. The peaceful patter of rain on leafy trees. Thunder rumbling across the sky. Nature is a veritable symphony of sound, and God is its Conductor.

Opening our windows and letting in the sounds of nature is restful and relieves stress. Some people enjoy CDs of nature sounds, or the sounds of falling water from a tabletop fountain.

What we hear impacts us. Words of love and kindness promote health; harsh and unloving words hinder it. Many times our environment is filled with sounds that impact our health. Our lives can be cluttered with the chronic noise of beeping horns, ringing phones, loud airplanes, etc. Chronic noise exposure, whether at high or low levels, has a detrimental effect. Research shows noise elevates psychophysiological stress (resting blood pressure and overnight epinephrine and norepinephrine), decreases levels of perceived quality of life, and contributes to deficits in long-term memory, speech perception, and standardized reading test scores. Even low levels of noise can reduce productivity. The negative effects of loud noise include hearing loss (temporary and permanent) as well as increased blood pressure, decreased concentration, and a negative effect on mood.

Be sure to spend time outdoors this week. Let the primary colors and sounds of nature work for you as you enjoy a tranquil environment provided by a loving Creator.