Congratulations! You’re thinking of swapping skyscrapers for mountains, and morning meetings for birdsong. It’s a bold move but what does life look like when nature is your new neighbor?

Before we start I would like to present myself, because it is important for this blog. My name is Noa and I am from Reunion Island which is a French island located in the Indian Ocean next to Mauritius.

So as a child of the tides, I can guarantee you that living close to nature has benefits, I will prove my point with 8 points:

1. Improved Mental Health
2. Better Physical Health
3. Enhanced Immune System
4. Increased Focus and Creativity
5. Better Sleep Quality
6. Stronger Social Connections
7. Greater Environmental Awareness
8. Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency

1-Improved mental health:

Living close to nature has a powerful and positive impact on mental health, like reducing stress and pressures of everyday life. Being surrounded by natural landscapes and fresh air helps to reduce anxiety, ease symptoms of depression, and lower cortisol levels which is the body’s main stress hormone. Nature provides a calming environment that promotes mindfulness, grounding, and emotional balance. Just stepping outside for a walk in the forest or sitting by a lake can reset your mood.

My personal point of view: as someone who lives on Reunion Island, I can guarantee you that being close to nature improves my mental health, I can’t describe it but it just reduces my anxiety, I used to study next to a forest where I could hear the birds and also the rain which reduced my stress for my exams.

Pro tips: At POHA House, your mental well-being matters. That’s why our Preuswald location, surrounded by nature, is the perfect place to breathe, slow down, and reset. Whether you’re working or unwinding, the peaceful greenery helps clear your mind and recharge your energy.

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2-Better physical health:

Living close to nature offers significant benefits for physical health. Access to green spaces encourages regular physical activity, leading to improved cardiovascular health, reduced obesity rates, and enhanced immune function. Studies have shown that individuals living near parks and green areas are more likely to engage in outdoor exercises, which can lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Additionally, exposure to natural environments has been associated with lower blood pressure, reduced stress levels, and improved overall well-being. Incorporating nature into daily life can thus play a vital role in maintaining and enhancing physical health.

Personal point of view: Indeed, living close to nature encourages exercise. I love going for a run in peace, it’s the perfect way to disconnect from the world. The calm surroundings not only boost motivation but also offer privacy that makes working out feel way less awkward. The sound of the sea and the fresh air of the forest encourage me and other Reunionese people to do sports.

Pro tips: There’s nothing quite like going for a morning run. The fresh air, the calm atmosphere, and the golden light of the rising sun over the surrounding nature make it a truly energising start to the day. You will see that doing this twice or three times a week will be beneficial for you and your body. In Preuswald you have access to the surrounding forest with walking and biking trails, a ropes course, and a playground. Easily walk or cycle to the market, do some morning yoga on the grass, or simply enjoy the fresh air from your balcony.

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3)-Enhanced immune system:

Living close to nature will influence engaging in activities like forest walks, it has been shown to increase the number and activity of natural killer (NK) cells, which play a crucial role in combating infections and cancer. One study found that two-hour forest walks on consecutive days increased NK cell activity by 50% and 56%, with elevated levels persisting even a month later. Exposure to sunlight while spending time outdoors helps the body produce vitamin D, essential for bone health, blood cell formation, and immune system function. Contact with natural environments exposes individuals to a diverse range of microbes, which can positively influence

the human microbiota. This exposure is linked to improved immune regulation and a reduced risk of inflammatory diseases but also cancers!

Personal point of view: I’ve always had a strong immune system, and I’ve noticed that people in the city where I live rarely seem to get sick. It makes me wonder if our environment plays a bigger role than we think.

Pro tips: Being close to nature is a powerful way to support your immune system and combining it with natural, healthy foods makes it even more effective. Definitely a top benefit of living close to nature!

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4)-Increased focus and creativity:

Spending time in nature has been scientifically shown to enhance creativity, so living close to it facilitates it. A 2012 study published in PLOS ONE found that participants scored 50% higher on creativity tests after a four-day nature immersion. This boost is linked to reduced digital distractions and increased mind-wandering, which allows the brain to form new connections. Nature also improves focus through what researchers call the Attention Restoration Theory. This theory, developed by psychologists Rachel and Stephen Kaplan, suggests that natural settings gently engage the mind, helping restore the brain’s capacity to concentrate after mental fatigue.

Personal point of view: When I was studying next to nature it felt easier, I was more concentrated and also more creative, nature gave me a mysterious boost with beautiful sounds to listen to, like birds, the wind, and even the silence. Everything was made for me to focus and achieve my degree.

Pro tips: If you’re looking to boost your focus and creativity, POHA has the perfect solution with our POHA Office. It’s a space designed for deep concentration and limitless creativity,whether you prefer working solo or collaborating with others!

Useful  link 

5)-Better sleep quality:

A study published in Environmental Research found that individuals with access to green spaces were 92% more likely to report good sleep quality. This effect was particularly strong among men, younger individuals, and those with lower educational levels. The researchers suggest that contact with nature, especially surrounding greenness, is significantly associated with better mental health and sleep quality. Engaging in gardening has been linked to better sleep quality. A study of 62,000 Americans found that regular gardeners had a 42% lower likelihood of experiencing multiple sleep complaints compared to non-gardeners. The benefits were attributed to the combination of physical activity and exposure to nature, which contributed to reduced anxiety and improved sleep. Research indicates that spending time camping can reset our internal clocks to a more natural sleep cycle. A study by the University of Colorado Boulder found that a week-long camping trip helped participants‘ melatonin levels adjust, leading to earlier sleep onset and improved sleep quality. This suggests that exposure to natural light during outdoor activities can positively influence sleep patterns.

Personal point of view: Sleeping close to nature has an unmatched quality to it. For me, the soothing sounds, the calm atmosphere, and the gentle rhythm of rain blending with complete silence help me drift off effortlessly. It’s a different kind of peace compared to city life, one that feels far more grounding and restful.

Pro tips:POHA House Preuswald’s proximity to nature is perfect to find the calm, peaceful, fresh air and the natural rhythm of the environment helps your body relax and rest more deeply.

Useful  link which shows this point.

6)-Stronger Social Connections:

Engaging with natural environments has been shown to increase feelings of interpersonal closeness and social connection. A study published in ScienceDirect found that individuals who spent time in natural settings reported stronger social bonds and a greater sense of community. Exposure to nature can enhance prosocial behaviors, such as helping and cooperating with others. Research indicates that interactions with nature, whether sustained or fleeting, can increase orientation toward others, social cohesion, and prosocial tendencies. Spending time in nature may increase how much we see others as fully human. This effect is largely due to a sense of self-transcendence, a feeling of connection to something larger than oneself that nature evokes. This enhanced perception encourages prosocial behaviors, such as helping and cooperating with others.

Personal point of view: Indeed nature permits stronger social connections, as for me it was easier to make friends while doing activities in nature, or just being close to the sea, it was very relaxing and permitted me to have deep conversations.

Pro tips: If you’re open to meeting new people, POHA House is the perfect place for you! It’s all about connection, whether you’re looking to make new friends, enjoy a vibrant community, or maybe enjoy nature together with others.

Useful  link  

7-Greater Environmental Awareness:

Research indicates that individuals who feel a strong connection to nature are more likely to engage in sustainable behaviors. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that children with a higher sense of connectedness to nature exhibited increased pro-environmental behaviors, such as recycling and conserving resources. These behaviors were also linked to greater happiness and well-being. Childhood experiences in natural settings play a crucial role in developing environmental responsibility. A review in People and Nature highlighted that positive interactions with nature during youth lead to increased ecological awareness and a stronger commitment to environmental protection in adulthood. Engaging with nature not only benefits individual well-being but also promotes empathy and cooperative behavior. Studies have shown that exposure to natural environments can increase feelings of empathy and willingness to engage in prosocial and environmentally friendly actions.

Personal point of view: Personally, being so close to nature allows me to truly see and appreciate its beauty up close and when you’re surrounded by that kind of serenity, it naturally makes you think twice before doing anything that could harm it.

Pro tips: If you’re looking for a place to live that truly values and respects the environment, POHA House is a great choice.

Learn more here:  link

8-Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency

Proximity to nature allows for cultivating personal gardens, reducing reliance on commercial food sources. Engaging in activities like gardening and foraging not only provides fresh produce but also promotes a healthier diet and lifestyle. Natural settings are ideal for harnessing renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Implementing off-grid energy solutions decreases dependence on traditional utilities and can lead to significant cost savings over time. Living near natural water sources enables the use of systems like rainwater harvesting and gravity-fed water supplies. These methods provide clean water for daily use and encourage responsible consumption. A self-sufficient lifestyle necessitates learning various skills, from home repairs to food preservation. Acquiring these abilities fosters independence and resilience, reducing the need for external services.

Personal point of view: Indeed I have a great example. I don’t have to buy tomatoes, bananas, lettuce, eggs, and eggplant anymore because I have them next to me!

Pro tips: You should start gardening. It will save you some money and maybe you will end up liking it! And of course, the taste is way better when it is natural.

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I hope you have liked this blog and found it interesting! And remember, if this blog has inspired you to live close to nature I would recommend you POHA House in Preuswald, a comfortable house close enough to nature!