Add content to this section using the sidebar. When you spend time among the trees, hearing twigs snap beneath your feet and birds calling out to each other from above, it does something to your brain. Scientific evidence shows us that there are measurable cognitive, emotional, and physical benefits to spending time in the great outdoors. Walking or resting in nature can help refresh and reinvigorate a tired brain. A study published in Current Directions in Psychological Science found that exposure to natural environments may improve working memory, cognitive flexibility, and attentional control.
Exposure to urban environments, on the other hand, was linked to attention deficits. In one example, adults assigned to public housing had an easier time concentrating and paying attention if they had a public green space in their neighborhood.
The same study found that children with regular access to green spaces showed increased self-control behaviors and cognitive development. Even taking a break to look at pictures of flowering meadows or other green environments for a single minute may give your brain a boost and make it easier to think and concentrate.
Listening to nature sounds, such as crickets chirping or waves crashing, has also been found to mimic the cognitive effects of actually spending time outdoors. Others think that nature triggers a physiological response that lowers stress levels in humans.
Nature can inspire a wealth of positive feelings, including joy, calmness, and creativity. When you feel connected to the natural world around you, you may start to feel less anxious or depressed, as well as a greater confidence that your life is worthwhile.
