Part Two: Written Communication Reflection Statement (3 pages)

Critical Analysis: The Nature Fix Introduction

Florence Williams sets up a concrete base for the scholars, therapists and nature lovers to examine further the importance of befriending nature. I believe that nature stands out as an impressive answer to several factors or situations encompassing the operation of humankind. Geography’s premises ascertain that nothing can be comprehended exhaustively apart from its origin. Like this, no situation or even in the society that has much vitality until it is examined based on the niche of the earth that makes it background. In her book “T​he Nature Fix,”​ Florence Williams investigates on restorative benefits of nature to uncover the impacts of nature on the human brain. Williams recognizes people have forgotten the essence of nature and turned for indoors. She emphasizes taking nature as essential for humanity rather than a luxury. Nature is attributed to other significant benefits as Williams and other scholars emphasize. Thusly, this critical analysis of the “T​he Nature Fix,” ​by Florence Williams ascertains nature holds a significant proportion of the positive impacts in human development. This analysis presents the main key points argued by Williams regarding the positivity of nature: The biophilia hypothesis and Attention Restoration Theory (ART)

Williams echoes the investigations of E.O. Wilson, recognizing biophilia as the emotional interrelatedness of human beings to living organisms. The biophilia related aspects argue the cool and peaceful elements of nature help us grow cognitively and psychologically. I believe that biophilia is part of our human nature, we want to be connected to the earth in anyway possible. Attention Restoration Theory evaluates the nature’s impact on our creativity and attention associated with making mistakes (Williams, 2018). Notably, biophilia represents an essential component of the human nature interactions in the social-ecological systems filled with vulnerability disaster and hazards while adapting. I am not a nature person, I do not enjoy hiking, sight seeings or talking a walk. But, to enjoy nature I occasionally lay on the grass and watch the stars, even though I'm not a nature person, I will do little things here and there to enjoy mother earth. The community-based ecological restoration assists us in understanding the vitality of the biological attraction in resilient thinking in the environments facing disasters and hazards (Tidball, 2012). Examining the role of nature during hazards and disasters presents safety and security as the primary concerns related to food and water supplies, basic infrastructure functions and medical support. However, to adapt or recover from the disruptions greening initiatives related to tree planting, community gardening, and habitat restoration participates individual resilience to vulnerability contexts or situations (Tidball, 2012). For instance, during calamities, people encounter distress and emotional disruptions. Long-time or time spent in the forest is linked to the optimal blood pressure and heart rate, and reduced cortisol levels for effective recovery (Williams, 2018). Thus, Williams presents a pertinent concern in nature’s role in human restoration and increased level of creative thinking. Whenever I am stressed, I would lay on the grass in my yard and just stare up into the sky. Being surrounded by grass, flowers, and ladybugs cleared my mind and helped me focus. The role of the nature’s science of smell, sound, and sight

Williams presents a significant correlation between nature’s smell, the sounds and the sight-related elements and the positive human development. The William’s ascertainment in the nature fix demonstrates that understanding on the importance of nature to our cognitive and general human development is limited: the slightest exposure to the living organisms must improve the human creativity and mood ​(Williams, 2018)​. Although the mechanisms that people benefit from nature are uncertain, the people’s experience with nature presents several health benefits and the overall well-being. Researches acknowledge that overexposure to the human-made ecosystem leads to over-anxiety, impatience, irritability, nervous tension and fasten disposition. However, the multisensory components nature encounters is essential since stress and other manmade-related extremes are a result of the monotony of stimulation (​Franco, Shanahan, & Fuller, 2017)​. Like this, the multimodal sensory input causes a positive mental state like tranquillity. The science of smell of nature presents a positive conclusion that the nose is an expressway to the brain and nature/forest releases robust medicinal scents that can relieve the brain and eventually all other parts of the body. For instance, Williams in her book “T​he Nature Fix​” presents three examples; Phytoncide with stress-reducing properties and produced by plants, Geosmin, a compound of the soil with antiviral features, and Coniferous essential oils related with the ability to lower cortisol and Asthma symptoms. The human-caused noises such as aircraft noises are largely related to the increased blood pressure, escalating heart rate, sympathetic nervous systems reactions, and increased levels of the stress hormones: It inhibits comprehension and memory ability (​Franco, Shanahan, & Fuller, 2017)​. Contrary nature’s sounds such birdsongs are related to increased alertness and mood improvement. The science of nature’s sight finds out that views (studies of views) are related to increased productivity, less aggression, lower stress, and better performance. Based on the studies of hospital views, I believe that the nature’s sight is related to shorter hospital stays, reduced anxiety, lower heart rate and increased direct attention. The visual variety in the scenery and vegetation shape makes the nature environments restorative. The natures’ sensory elements such as sounds of nature such as wind, water, and animals are preferable over the human-caused such as industrial, recreational, and traffic noise. The instant and gradual benefits of nature

Williams presents the deemed instant and gradual benefits relating to restoration and emotional wellness. The more time spent in nature, the greater the wellness levels. Notably, the analysis concurs with Williams’ ascertainment of nature’s role in restoration and wellness. Preserving a healthy ecosystem benefits the people and wildlife with the region and globe entirely through clean water and air, medicine, energy, resilience, safety, and food security. Nature’s contribution to human development is embedded in the world viewing as people’ lives as interconnected and complex (Hall & Paxton, 2019). Nature contributes to health and enhanced nutrition, reduced vulnerability, and restoration from natural disasters. Nature is related to low stress and anxiety, lower heart rate, lower blood pressure, reduced income disparities, and improved cognition and creativity. Therapeutic role of nature

Ecotherapy indicates substantial evidence as to the alternative therapies for mental health disorders such as anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Williams, 2018). For instance, in South Korea forest bathing programmes are utilized to treat gaming addictions through cortisol reduction, and self-esteem improvement. Contact with nature present evidence-based health benefits related to reduced stress, better sleep, reduced ADHD symptoms and aggression, lower blood pressure, improved immune functions, improved postoperative recovery, life satisfaction and reduced mental health problems (Frumkin, Bratman, Breslow, Cochran, Kahn Jr, Lawler, ... & Wood, 2017). Contact with nature presents a productive social connectedness, essential for improved health. Reconciling nature with Urbanization

The rapid urbanization presents a higher health risk due to its interconnectedness with the human-made operations. Mental disorders are prevalent among the city residents that require a natural setting to address (Williams, 2018). The call for nature integration into the inevitable urbanization presents an opportunity for cognitive and psychological development. Williams suggests a consideration in the landscape of the community’s key areas such as neighborhoods, schools, and hospitals. Reconciling nature with urbanization suggests providing essential training to the communities to participate in the nature conservation activities. Thus, influencing human operations and providing a platform for learning and growing cognitively provide an essential strategy to reconcile nature with urbanization. ​Reflection

Nature plays a significant role in human development by providing a non-destructive and an environment for resilience. Human development and nature are intertwined to make sensible guidance and provide solutions to the adversaries related to human-made operations. The effects of nature’s changes related to inadequate treatment of waste, forest loss, unsustainable water withdrawals, and wetlands conversions present a long-term effect on the normal life of humankind. Nature presents a dependable solution to medical-related issues and psychological distress. Therefore, humankind survival without nature is impossible for it protects us and can destroy us as well. Every form of nature ranging from the forest, animals, water catchment areas, and mountains, to mention but a few, holds universal essence to the humankind. In my opinion, nature is the sole supplier of food, medicines, water, excellent climates and nutrients, and shelter, which are the essential components for human survival. Conclusion

By reading the book, nature holds a significant proportion of the positive impacts on human development. Human beings interrelate with other living organisms for cognitive and psychological development. Nature presents a platform for restoration after the occurrence of the unbalancing factors. Nature presents therapeutic alternatives to present immediate and gradual benefits. However, the expanding and inevitable urbanization calls for a platform to reconcile the nature and the urbanization. The reconciliation involves nature conservation and essential training to the communities on the strategic landscape of the essential areas in the community such as schools, hospitals, and neighborhood. Like this, human development and nature are intertwined.