Kids the world over know that playing outside in the fresh air makes life, and learning much easier. Adults have also started to catch on to this important truth as well. For decades grown up researchers have been on a serious fact finding mission to determine what makes playing outside so powerful. Part of the positive effects of playing outside come from all the movement, and fun that play is made of. Exercise isn’t the whole story on the power of playing outside. The outdoors themselves contribute greatly to the many brain building, body relaxing benefits of being outside in nature. Whether you are playing in a park, swimming in a lake, climbing a mountain or relaxing by the ocean, being in nature is good for your mental, and emotional health.
Mental Health, Prosocial Behavior and Better Thinking
Depression, social anxiety, schizophrenia, and eating disorders are a few of the psychiatric disorders that are improved by exposure to natural environments. Research on effects of nature exposure led by University of Aarhus scientist Kristine Engemann, show that children who live in neighborhoods with ample green space have a lower risk for many types of psychiatric disorders. The effects of nature exposure in childhood are so powerful that children who grow up in more lush environments not only have better mental health as children but also as adults. Feeling connected with nature is also associated with increased feelings of happiness and well being.
Depression, social anxiety, schizophrenia, and eating disorders are a few of the psychiatric disorders that are improved by exposure to natural environments. Research on effects of nature exposure led by University of Aarhus scientist Kristine Engemann, show that children who live in neighborhoods with ample green space have a lower risk for many types of psychiatric disorders. The effects of nature exposure in childhood are so powerful that children who grow up in more lush environments not only have better mental health as children but also as adults. Feeling connected with nature is also associated with increased feelings of happiness and well being.
Time in nature is also a potent contributor to feelings of connectedness with others, and our planet. Feelings of connectedness are key for the development of prosocial behaviors such as kindness, patience, generosity, and altruism. For more than 2 decades, school systems across the country have placed strong emphasis on helping children develop prosocial behaviors. In an experiment that compared the level of prosocial behavior of children towards peers and strangers, children who attended a field trip in nature demonstrated more prosocial behavior than children who went to a museum. Spending time in nature helps children and adults feel more connected to their communities, and as a result they feel the responsibility to care for others as well as themselves.
Exposure to nature in childhood, and adulthood also helps with focus, problem solving and decision making. A review of the current research by psychologists Kathryn Schertz and Marc Berman at University of Chicago showed that when schools are located in green environments students have better self regulation, increased ability for focused attention, and overall mental development. Their research also showed that exposure to nature in adults improves mental working memory, problem solving, and attention. The positive effects of nature for the brain are accumulated to such a degree that, like exercise, time in nature improves almost all aspects of our mental health. On the flip side it is also clear from the data that nature deprivation has the opposite effects on our mental health. Virtual Nature is Good Too
Good news for folks who can’t be out in nature, virtual nature, and listening to nature sounds works almost as well as the real thing. Two studies comparing those who walked for 15 minutes outdoors to those who viewed video images of natural settings found that both groups experienced emotional and cognitive benefits. Simply watching a nature video improves attention, elevates mood, improves problem solving abilities. The good news doesn’t end here, listening to nature sounds increases one’s ability to perform demanding mental tasks like math problems. While many studies demonstrate that actually being in a natural environment produces more robust improvements in mental and emotional wellbeing, than virtual exposure to nature there is substantial benefit to either type of exposure.
The types of natural settings that produce these positive effects aren’t limited to green lush environments. Whether the natural setting is a white sandy beach, the earth colored waters of a river, or a manicured urban garden, there are ample benefits on mood, attention and problem solving. As with many things in life the more diverse the flora and fauna in nature videos the greater the benefits for mood, and thinking.
How Much Nature is Enough
Figuring out how much nature exposure is necessary to ensure the many benefits for mood, attention, problem solving and prosocial behavior is tricky. One study found that 120 minutes of contact with nature over the course of a week improved health and well being. Even those that suffered from chronic illness reported feeling better after 120 minutes of natural over the cour
While there is a reduction in benefits with virtual nature engagement, there is no particular natural environment that stands out as producing greater benefits than another. While more research on the dosage of nature exposure is needed, it is clear that a relatively small amount of time each week is a win win for your brain.
The good news is out, being in nature is good for your mood, your thinking and your social relationships. Whatever type of natural environment you enjoy, a formal garden, wild mountains, or seren beaches, all have provide a wealth of health benefits. One of the best low cost gifts you can share with yourself is to get out of the house or office and into nature. Often when I’ve been at the computer longer than is healthy, I’ll push away from the keyboard and go for a 15 minute spin around the neighborhood. I’ll stop and smell a few roses on the way, enjoy the warmth of the sun on my skin, and drink in all the many shades of green. Having done this for many years, I still marvel at how this brief brush with nature lifts my mood, clears my mind and changes my perspective on most everything. Do yourself the favor of giving yourself the gift of green as I like to call being out in nature. Although, the research shows the color doesn’t matter, the key is that it is a natural environment you enjoy.
