We’ve all heard the saying “go touch grass” at least once before. It’s a snarky reply used by Gen Z on the internet as a way to let you know you need to take a break and step away from the computer or phone. As mean and snarky as it can be sometimes, is there any merit in the phrase? Sure, anyone who says it to you probably doesn’t mean you should literally touch grass, but what if we interpreted it that way?
As most people probably are aware, spending long amounts of time looking at a screen– whether it be a computer or phone screen- can negatively impact you in multiple ways. Too much screen time can affect your vision, sleep habits and your mental health, as well as cause neck and back pain from sitting and staring at a screen. But besides getting you away from a screen temporarily, how does going outside and touching grass (literally) help you?
Let’s think about the big picture here: without a healthy natural environment, your physical health suffers. A healthy natural environment means you have clean air and water, but it also means there’s biodiversity, which the World Health Organization says leads to nutritional diversity and food security, as well as the prevention of pandemics and the discovery and creation of new medicines.
As humans, we threaten the world’s biodiversity every day by overexploiting natural resources, pollution, destroying habitats, and perpetuating climate change. Yikes.
We need nature for two reasons. One: it keeps us alive in various ways, and two: it improves our mental and physical health. While the great outdoors provides us with air to breathe, water to drink and food to eat, it also helps boost our mental health.
Research conducted by Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health showed that spending time outdoors can improve your sleep, cognitive function, and reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease, among other things. Going outside also allows you to interact with others and your community, which can also majorly improve your mental health and wellbeing.
As finals week and the end of the semester draw closer and closer, instead of spending your study break scrolling on your phone, consider grabbing a friend and touching some grass. No, seriously, it’ll help you.
