Time and time again I realize how much better I feel after spending time in front of the ocean or in front of a heavy flowing creek. Based on my amazing experience, these are the best therapies for sound sensitivity and dizziness.
Problem is that I live in an area where access to both is difficult. And thinking of moving somewhere where I am close to both. Preferably CA.
Since this forum is diverse geographically, anyone know of an area that offers both (close to nice creek and the ocean)? CA or somewhere else.
Your thoughts would be much appreciated. Note that digital nature sounds are not therapeutics to me. I really suggest you try the real thing. My doctor recommend it that for sound sensitivity. And I see a lot of promise.
PS: I continue to experience improvement with Aimovig (have a thread on that)ā¦
Hi. Well Iām not a bit surprised. Here, we are into the realms of Ecological Psychology. That certainly helped me when I was trying to get back outside after months indoors, so dizzy and photophobic. A psychologist I āmetā through the internet pointed me in that direction. James M Gibson was the Father of Ecological Psychology it seems, and thereās a good book āEcological Psychology In Contextā out there too. The appended is an intro.
Interesting the same guy, a Sports Psychologist by profession, also diagnosed with MAV himself, found that Virtual Reality VRT did nothing positive for him either. It seems the brain prefers ānatureā, quite literally. Sorry cannot help you on the relocation side but then Iām An Ocean away! Helen
Being around nature is super soothing! Yes, especially around moving water.
During my recovery I used to walk for miles down my local canal system here in London. There is so much wonderful wildlife, seemingly fresher air and calm quiet spots along the canal you do feel tonnes better and at the same time you are getting great, free, natural VRT!
Reading last weekās Radio Times reminded me of this post, it contained an article on Stress by a Dr Ragan Chatterjee. Its first listed antedote for relieving stress was to ābathe yourself in natureā. And suggested āforest bathingā (time spent amongst trees) as studies have found this to decrease pulse rate and blood pressure and improve sleep. Suggested seeking out greenery, and failing all else to look at pictures of a natural scene which should make us feel calmer and recover more quickly from stressful events. Secondly it mentioned breathing better and breathing deeply. And finally doing something you love every single day and delighting in āsmall snatches of fun stuff, tooā. All of which could be achieved in the Great Outdoors.
Oh, they refer to it as āsocial prescribingā apparently. New one on me. Prescribing nature, the arts, social activities, exercise instead of meds, for conditions like stress and depression etc. Itās the holistic approach it seems. Well, something new everyday they say! Helen
And a very good reason that we should get out into it as often as practicable. The migraine specialist neurologist I saw said to walk outside every day both in aid compensation but also to keep fit. Also I must admit it is necessary to stop people developing agrophobis which is all too essy to do hemmed indoors with illness. As a country girl I was amazed to find after a mere five months indoors I was verging on agrophobia myself and going outside had become so hard. In fact nearly impossible. Apparently itās more common than youād imagine. Iāve a friend who spent a few months in hospital with a severe back condition whoād had it and who warned me. It often happens to anybody whoās been institutionalised for a while. Perhaps thatās why prisons have exercise yards. Helen
I absolutely agree about the flowing water. Love, love, love the water! Soothes the soul. I walk an ocean track close to me at least 4 or 5 times a week and thereās another wetlands boardwalk I go on regularly that passes by a small running stream. I have videoed both the ocean when its wild and calm and the sound of this small creek (complete with froggy noises). Iād post these here but I agree that digital nature sounds are just not the same. Thereās a special fullness of sound that you get in real life. I am way across the world from you so canāt suggest any ocean locations but would it be worth setting up a small water feature/fountain in the backyard of wherever youāre living? There are numerous DIY videos on YouTube that show how to do this.
And interestingly he produced a forerunner to this concept being the first to recognise and coin the phrase āOptic Flowā. So often used in the context of MAVers and Visual Vertigo in supermarkets. Sounds like he could have been on the MAVerās wavelength. Helen
Must really be good for everyone being outside in nature. Apparently 120 minutes a week, not necessarily in one big chunk, reduces stress levels by 30%. Must be correct. I heard it on the BBC!
Interesting article in yesterdayās Times newspaper.
Why walking will make you happier - how to survive the next six months. The simple act of taking a stroll in nature can have a dramatic effect on your mood
Nothing we arenāt already aware of on here but in current Covid times worth a reminder I thought.
Liked this one from a recent Daily Mail article on stress. Should get us all reaching for those walking boots.
A Dr Law senior lecturer in psychology from the psycho physiology and stress research group at University of Westminster is quoted chronically stressed individuals should try
āTaking a walk, doing some gardening, or looking around an art gallery can reduce cortisol levels really rapidly - it can take just ten to 15 minutesā
Not quite sure how the āart galleryā fits in though. Maybe we would need to pick an exhibition of famous landscape artists.
