The Power of Nature Immersion…
Sunday, March 10, 2024.
The Power of Nature Immersion: How Connecting with the Great Outdoors Boosts Your Brain and Nervous System…
Picture this: You're surrounded by towering trees, the scent of pine wafting through the air, birds singing their melodies overhead, and a gentle breeze rustling the leaves.
This isn't just a scene from a postcard; it's a moment of nature immersion, a powerful experience that can positively impact your brain and nervous system in ways you might not even realize…
In recent years, researchers have delved into the effects of nature immersion on our cognitive functions, emotional well-being, and physical health. The benefits of spending time in nature are abundant and scientifically supported, from reducing stress levels to enhancing creativity.
In this post, let’s explore the fascinating research behind nature immersion and its profound effects on the brain and nervous system. So, grab your hiking boots, and let's venture into the wilderness of scientific discovery!
The Science Behind Nature Immersion…
Nature immersion, also known as ecotherapy or nature therapy, involves spending extended periods in natural environments.
Whether it's a stroll through the forest, a hike in the mountains, or simply lounging by a serene lake, these experiences offer a respite from the hustle and bustle of modern life…
But what exactly happens to our brains and nervous systems when we surround ourselves with nature's beauty?
Stress Reduction:
One of the most well-documented effects of nature immersion is its ability to reduce stress levels. In today's fast-paced world, chronic stress has become a prevalent issue, contributing to various health problems. However, spending time in natural settings has been shown to lower cortisol levels, the body's primary stress hormone.
Research conducted by Ulrich in 1984 found that hospital patients with views of nature from their windows experienced less stress and recovered more quickly compared to those with views of urban landscapes. Similarly, a study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology in 2010 revealed that participants who took a 50-minute walk in nature showed decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region associated with rumination and anxiety.
Improved Cognitive Function:
Nature isn't just soothing for the soul; it also profoundly impacts our cognitive abilities. Numerous studies have demonstrated that spending time in natural environments can enhance attention, memory, and creativity.
In a study published in Psychological Science in 2008, participants who took a nature walk performed better on a cognitive task than those who walked in an urban environment. Moreover, a study from the University of Michigan found that spending time in nature boosted attention and memory performance by as much as 20%.
Mood Enhancement:
Have you ever noticed how a walk in the park can lift your spirits? Nature immersion has a positive effect on mood and emotional well-being. Research suggests that exposure to natural environments can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety while promoting feelings of happiness and tranquility.
A meta-analysis published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2015 found that spending time in nature was associated with reduced risk of depression and other mental health disorders. Additionally, a study conducted at Stanford University discovered that participants who walked in nature exhibited decreased activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex, a brain region linked to depression, compared to those who walked in urban environments.
Enhanced Immune Function:
Believe it or not, spending time in nature may also strengthen your immune system. Researchers have found that phytoncides, aromatic compounds released by trees and plants, have antimicrobial properties that can boost the production of white blood cells, thus enhancing immune function.
A study published in the International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology in 2009 investigated the effects of forest bathing, a practice popular in Japan that involves immersing oneself in the forest atmosphere. The researchers found that participants who engaged in forest bathing experienced an increase in natural killer cell activity and other markers of enhanced immune function.
Thoreau, and Nature Immersion American Style… a 2024 study
This year, science validated the wisdom of naturalists like Thoreau as researchers unveiled the mental benefits of nature immersion.
A brand-new study demonstrates that a stroll through nature has benefits beyond those conferred by mere exercise.
Exposure to the natural world enhances critical executive control processes in the brain.
The discovery reinforces the wisdom of authors like Henry David Thoreau, who held that nature is key to nurturing the heart, soul, and mind.
Professor David Strayer, study co-author, explained:
“There’s an idea called biophilia that basically says that our evolution over hundreds of thousands of years has got us to have more of a connection or a love of natural living things.
And our modern urban environment has become this dense urban jungle with cell phones and cars and computers and traffic, just the opposite of that kind of restorative environment.”
How this 2024 study was conducted…
For the study, almost 100 people went on a 40-minute walk, half traversing the tranquil landscapes of Red Butte, a garden and greenhouse in Utah, Texas, while the others navigated a bustling urban sprawl nearby.
Before that, though, people’s attentional resources were thoroughly depleted, explained Dr Amy McDonnell, the study’s first author:
“We start out by having participants do a really draining cognitive task in which they count backwards from 1,000 by sevens, which is really hard.
No matter how good you are at mental math, it gets pretty draining after 10 minutes.
And then right after that, we give them an attention task.”
Then, participants did the walk, during which they were forbidden to look at their phones…
During their walk, participants wore electroencephalography (EEG) equipment, which measures electrical activity in the brain, to assess their attentional capacity.
The results revealed distinct improvements in executive attention among participants who immersed themselves in nature, a phenomenon absent in those traversing urban landscapes.
Dr. McDonnell elaborated:
“The participants that had walked in nature showed an improvement in their executive attention on that task, whereas the urban walkers did not, so then we know it’s something unique about the environment that you’re walking in.
We know exercise benefits executive attention as well, so we want to make sure both groups have comparable amounts of exercise.”
A cognitive recharge
Executive attention is vital to our everyday functioning, said Professor Strayer:
“The kinds of things that we do on an everyday basis tend to heavily use those executive attentional networks.
It’s important in concentration and especially, so it’s an essential component of higher order thinking.”
Professor Strayer studies both attention and distraction, seeing them as two sides of the same coin…
“It’s where the prefrontal cortex is overloaded, overstimulated, and you make all kinds of dangerous mistakes when you’re multitasking behind the wheel.
But the antidote to that is being out in a natural environment, leave the phone in your pocket and then go out and walk the trails.
The parts of the brain that have been overused during the daily commute are restored.
You see and think more clearly.”
Final thoughts
The research on nature immersion paints a compelling picture of its profound effects on the brain and nervous system. From reducing stress and enhancing cognitive function to boosting mood and strengthening immune function, spending time in natural environments offers a myriad of benefits for both mental and physical well-being.
Consider doing a Couples Therapy Intensive with me in the breathtaking Berkshires.
So, the next time you're feeling overwhelmed or need a mood boost, consider stepping outside and immersing yourself in the beauty of nature. Your brain and nervous system will thank you for it!
Be well, Stay kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Ulrich, R. S. (1984). View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science, 224(4647), 420-421.
Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological Science, 19(12), 1207-1212.
Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, J. P., & Daily, G. C. (2015). The impacts of nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(28), 8567-8572.
Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The experience of nature: A psychological perspective. CUP Archive.
Li, Q. (2010). Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 9-17.
McDonnell, A.S., Strayer, D.L. Immersion in nature enhances neural indices of executive attention. Sci Rep 14, 1845 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52205-1
Taylor, A. F., & Kuo, F. E. (2009). Children with attention deficits concentrate better after walk in the park. Journal of Attention Disorders, 12(5), 402-409.
