According to some experts, a walk in the park may not just soothe our nerves. It might actually affect brain function in a way that physiologically improves mental health.
These days most people live in cities, work in offices and spend much less time in natural settings than their ancestors did even just a few generations ago. Research shows that city dwellers are more prone to brooding—intense rumination over what is, or may be, going wrong in life—compared to those who live in more rural settings. This kind of repetitive fretting can lead to a lowered mood and anxiety.
Don’t worry, though, it appears you don’t have to move to a dairy farm to enjoy the brain benefits of nature. A recent study on urban living at Stanford University demonstrated that even brief periods spent in urban green spaces had a positive effect on brain functioning and mood. Participants completed questionnaires to determine mood and broodiness scores and were brain scanned as they moved between different settings. The following table encapsulates the study’s findings:
Group 1 – Remained within urban settings like an office and sidewalks near traffic
- Reported consistent low mood and broodiness in all settings
- Showed consistently higher blood flow to an area of the brain associated with stress response
Group 2 – Moved between urban setting and green space like an office and a park
- Reported elevated mood and reduced broodiness after time spent in green space
- Showed reduced blood flow to the stress response area of the brain after time spent in green space
If even a small dose of nature can help to both elevate our moods and change the physiological stress response in our brains, it might be good idea to add a little more nature to our lives.
Here are some thoughts for upping your natural exposure.
Find a Patch of Grass: If you work in a building or campus that offers even a small bit of natural landscape, try blocking out some time to move through it and stop, listen and breathe. If there’s a local outdoor picnic table or bench around, consider eating your lunch there on your own or with a friend.
Incorporate Your Own Bit of Nature: If allowed, try adding an indoor plant to your workspace. If you don’t have room for a lawn or garden at home, consider planting a windowsill garden that you can tend for the tactile and visual benefits. Or, look into local community garden plots where you can grow your own vegetables or floral oasis.
Remember Nature Isn’t Just Green: Nature is also blue, like rivers, lakes, oceans or even fountains. It can also be brown in deserts, prairies and beaches or colorful like masses of wildflowers. Try finding spots in your urban environment that feature moving water, flower borders, planters or trees, then spend a few minutes taking them in.
Make Nature a Destination: Consider spending more than a few minutes in nature at least once a week. That could mean a trip to the beach or dog park or even a picnic with your significant other at a local park. Maybe visit your local botanical gardens. When planning your next vacation, consider opportunities to spend time in natural settings.
