Is time in nature an overlooked therapy for MS symptoms?

As all good things must come to an end, so did our epic overseas adventure in a recreational vehicle that was too tiny to live in and too big to drive into any European village. We devoted those five weeks to quality time with family, unplugging from devices, and living closer to nature.

The inspiration for this trip came from a book I read last year, “The Nature Fix” by Florence Williams. It’s a fascinating exploration of how elements of nature (trees, sunshine, sounds) interact with human physiology to boost our physical and mental well-being.

As a physician and a person living with multiple sclerosis (MS), I’m always hunting for safe and effective tools to add to my MS toolkit. This book had me thinking, “Is nature an overlooked tool that can improve our multiple sclerosis symptoms and quality of life?”

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Here are some fascinating facts that explain how nature interacts with our bodies to support our healing:

• Natural light entering through our eyes helps sync up our circadian rhythms with the natural environment, supporting hormones, sleep, energy production, and gut function, all of which can be disrupted by MS.
• As sunlight hits the myriad light receptors sitting on our skin, we produce vitamin D, which helps bring law and order to the disordered immune system of a person with MS.
• Natural chemicals breathed in from plants and trees have been shown to shift our immune system toward an anti-inflammatory. By allowing our natural killer cells to function better, there may be a tendency toward fewer MS relapses.
• The human brain is attuned to feel more calm as it hears the chirping and singing of birds, helping us feel less anxious and stressed.
• Contacting dirt introduces an abundance of friendly bacteria into our gut microbiome, allowing it to thrive in a way that no designer supplement can emulate.

During my five-week experiment in outdoor living, I experienced these natural elements all day, every day. The best part was that I didn’t have to go out of my way to find them because they were an ever-present part of any natural landscape.

So did it help?

What were the results of this experiment in nature exposure? I felt calmer, less anxious, and more in tune with my environment and family. (I was also barely working, so I won’t pretend that didn’t have something to do with it.) I was able to sleep through the night without interruption, which was a huge shift for me given the gifts of perimenopause. My eczema calmed down. Best of all, I was able to eat lots of gluten and dairy, which I can’t do in the U.S. because my face swells into a red hot tomato for weeks.

I also noted changes in my behavior and routines. I loved the ease of waking up early with the sun and turning in early. The background soundtrack of birdsong and chirping cicadas was a lovely companion to meals outside and reading under a tree. I also made friends with dirt and stopped trying to clean up incessantly.

Now that I’m back in the comfort of my home, the challenge is to keep up with outdoor living when the indoors feel so much more comfortable. Here’s a routine I’ve come up with to be more intentional about spending time outside:

• Start my day with a 10-minute walk outside, rain or shine. Layer up when it’s cold and windy.
• Set up my laptop outside when working, especially in the earlier part of the day for the circadian rhythm benefits.
• Hang around the soccer field during kids’ practices instead of hiding in the car or ducking into an air-conditioned library or store. Keep a lawn chair in the car.
• Eat meals outside, without interruption from devices. Be mindful of the scents and sounds in my environment.
• Make an effort to watch the sunrise and sunset daily.
• Plan get-togethers with friends and family in the outdoors rather than home.

I’m thrilled that spending time outside boosts my immune system, soothes my nervous system, and helps me feel more balanced and calm. Nature is one of those tools I’ve needed, and it’s a safe, effective, and free treatment that we all can access (but highly underuse!). I’m convinced that if we’re to truly heal our mind and body, nature must be a part of that equation.

Got other ideas for spending more time outside? I’d love to know in the comments.

Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.