The Positive Impact that Nature Has on the Brain is Astounding
| There's
something about being in nature, it has the magical ability to comfort
you, especially in times when you need it most. It has the ability to
put your thoughts back into perspective and bring about an overwhelming
feeling of peace. Have you ever tried it? Go out on a walk, basking
yourself amid trees, grass and all that nature has to offer, in your
lowest of moods, or on your most stressful of days. Personally, I have
found that stepping outside, breathing in the natural air on my off
days, helps bring me back to my center and regain my focus. But it's not
just my take on things. research too, consistently finds that nature has a profound impact on the brain. |
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So, what effects does nature have on the brain? |
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1. Being in nature makes you feel more alive |
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| Spending a day at the park or
going on a hike can make you feel incredibly energized, not just
mentally, but physically too, and this theory has been backed by a study,
which found that spending time outdoors not only makes you happier, it
can also lead to a surge of energy. So next time you're feeling
depleted, head to a park instead of reaching for a cup of coffee. |
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2. Nature has the ability to improve memory |
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Walking in nature can improve your memory by up to 20%. A study
conducted at the University of Michigan attempted to prove this by
giving participants a 35 minute task which involved repeating loads of
random numbers back to the experimenter but in reverse order. After this
they went out for a walk, one group around an arboretum, and the other
down a busy street. They each repeated the memory test upon their
return. Results showed that those who wandered among the trees improved
by almost 20%, while those who walked down a busy street did not see any
improvement. |
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3. It has the ability to reduce acute stress |
| There is a practice in Japan called shinrin-yoku, which literally means forest bathing. This study proved that 798 people found shinrin-yoku
to be an especially useful technique among those suffering from acute
stress. The Japanese researchers also discovered that forest-bathing
reduced hostility and depression and increased people's liveliness. In another study,
it was found that adults who lived in
areas with the most amount of green space experienced lower levels of
cortisol (the stress hormone) and reported feeling lower stress than
city dwellers. |
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4. Nature has the ability to improve your sense of focus |
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| It has been found that cities can have a negative influence on the brain (according to a 2011 study). One of the reasons this may be so is due to the numerous amount of stimuli you encounter in hectic urban areas. Think about it - traffic, coffee shops, not forgetting to mention throngs of people. Such distraction may impair the area of the brain that controls your directed attention and self control. But, there's an antidote: nature! The great outdoors have been shown to help with attention. A small 1990s study found that women who lived in Chicago apartments that overlooked a grassy area saw better improvements on basic attention. |