#5 Surround yourself with nature

Nature is an effective anti-stress agent, whether we are talking about sun, trees or flowers.

I am sure that you noticed that you feel a lot better and you spend a nicer day when the weather is sunny. The link between a beautiful weather and morale was discovered by Norman Rosenthal a South African psychiatrist, in the 1980's. After emigrating from Johannesburg to New York, he felt depressed and sad over the winter. The winter blues was named for the first time "Saisonal Affective Disorder". Since then, many studies confirmed this link between sun and morale. Several studies show that the sun's rays affect the human morale via an hormone: the melatonin. When the latter is secreted too much, we have a malfunction of our chronobiological rythms and therefore we can be more tired, cranky and have the blues.

Plants also have an effect on our morale. Several studies confirmed that proximity with plants, trees and flowers have a soothing and benefactor power. Obviously we don't all have the opportunity to be surrounded by trees and flowers, but for those who live in town there is a solution! It was proven that artificial nature could have the same positive effect. So when you don't have time to have a walk in a park, don't hesitate to put nature inside your home! It's pretty and good for your serenity. ;)