Take inspiration from earth, wind, fire and water to discover the science-backed ways they can improve your mood and boost your wellbeing
This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on Happiful
A growing body of research is slowly revealing the wellbeing secrets of the four elements – now you can harness their power. Find out how earth, air, fire and water can give your health and happiness a boost.
Earth
When we talk about earth, we don’t just mean soil – although any toddler will tell you that making mud pies is a mood-booster! Earth refers to spending time in nature, enjoying green spaces, or exercising outdoors – and there’s plenty of evidence to show that this element is vital for our health. It’s known to reduce stress, raise self-esteem, lower blood pressure, tackle depression, prevent negative thoughts, boost our immune system and even push us to exercise harder than we would do in a gym.
Dr Lafina Diamandis, a GP specialising in lifestyle medicine, believes our environment has a huge impact on our behaviour and happiness levels. “There are so many benefits to being outside,” she says, “from the sunlight we need to produce vitamin D, to fractals geometric patterns only found in nature that have been shown to relieve stress, support sleep, aid digestion and boost wellbeing.” She often prescribes forest bathing, walking, Tai Chi and gardening as activities to increase exercise levels and “reap the benefits of being closer to nature” too.
But you don’t have to spend all your free time outdoors to feel the benefits. One study, by the University of Exeter, found that spending just two hours a week in nature is linked to feeling healthier and happier. “You can spread it over the course of a week, or get it all in a single dose – it doesn’t really matter,” says lead author Mathew White. Even better, “just sitting on a bench will do,” says Mathew – sounds like the perfect excuse for a coffee break in the park!
Air
The Dutch have an expression, ‘uitwaaien’, which doesn’t have a direct translation but means spending time in wild, windy weather, usually on a walk or bike ride. The idea is to replace ‘bad air’ with ‘good air’, leaving you refreshed and less stressed – we’d probably say to ‘blow away the cobwebs’. While a gusty walk along the seafront is great, it’s not something we can all do – and it depends on the infamous British weather – so how else can you harness this element?
Air can also mean the breath; tuning-in to the power of our breath has a number of mind-body benefits. Eve Menezes Cunningham, a psychologist and life coach, says breathwork can help us feel more relaxed and secure. “Breathing properly – rather than taking shallow breaths – sends signals to the brain, via the vagus nerve, that you’re safe,” she says. This reduces levels of stress hormones in the body which, in turn, eases feelings of anxiety and panic.
Fancy a simple breathing exercise? “Take a breath in for a count of two, pause for two, then exhale for two – the pause helps keep your attention on the breath,” Eve suggests. When this feels comfortable, lengthen the exhalation. “It helps reset the ‘rest and digest’ system, which sends signals of calm and safety cascading through your body.” Do this exercise without judgment, and with as much compassion as possible; when you’re anxious, you don’t need another ‘thing’ to worry about.
Fire
Many of us may already use a candle for meditation – focusing on the flame can help improve concentration – while watching a fire burn is the perfect way to unwind. Now researchers say this relaxation response is a throw-back to our ancient ancestors. A study published in the journal Evolutionary Psychology revealed watching fire can reduce our blood pressure – and the longer we watch, the more relaxed we become.
The experience seems to make us more sociable, too, which would’ve helped create strong friendship and family bonds. “Campfires may have provided social nexus and relaxation effects that could have enhanced prosocial behaviour,” Says Dr Christopher Lynn who carried out the study. In fact, the study was done using videos of fire, rather than the real thing, so look for clips of crackling fires on YouTube to chill out like a caveman.
Water
Can you remember your excitement at seeing the sea as a child? There was more to that feeling of joy than simply knowing you could play on the beach. Research by the European Centre for Environment and Human Health found that not only do we prefer the seaside compared with other outdoor settings, but also spending time on the coast is more likely to create a sense of wellbeing. This mood-boosting effect could be due to negative ions, which are created by the pounding waves; these tiny, electronically-charged, particles can help relieve stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia.
We’re more active when we live by the coast, too. In 2014 a team from the University of Exeter discovered that people who live near the sea were more likely to hit the weekly activity guidelines than those who live inland. In a later study the team found that living by the seaside was linked to better mental health. There are several reasons for this, such as exercise helping to tackle anxiety and depression, but it could be that being near water has a restorative effect on the body and brain.
“We have a deep evolutionary connection to water,” Dr Diamandis says. “For starters, our bodies are 70–80% water so without water we literally couldn’t exist! It’s also thought that humans evolved from water creatures millions of years ago, so it’s not surprising so many of us feel the therapeutic effects of water, from swimming to listening to waves or rainfall via an app.” She now prescribes water-based activities such as cold showers, taking a bath twice a week, wild swimming, or simply drinking more water, for relaxation, stress relief and to help strengthen the immune system.
Whatever activity you choose to do, always try to do it outdoors. “Nature can play an important role in helping us heal, particularly when it comes to mental and emotional health issues related to our fast-moving, digital lifestyles,” says Dr Diamandis.
“Being in nature, getting inspired by the elements, helps us reconnect with ourselves and what it really means to be human.”
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