Analysis: the positive feelings we get from being outside correspond to the stress relief and attention restoration features of nature
Think about how you feel when you go out for a walk. You look around and feel the movement. Being outdoors feels good, especially now in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is not surprising that we are made to be outdoors. Our ancestors moved around much more than us and our bodies maladapt to the sedentary modern life.
Just as importantly, our mind is also made to be outdoors. Our ability to think, make plans and do our job is routed in our bodies experiencing the world by moving, observing and using the senses in an integrated way to learn from the environment around us. A study on the Lothian Birth Cohort in Scotland showed that those who lived most of their lives near urban parks had more preserved cognition when older in tests around reasoning, following directions and analogies. Research with over 19,000 participants found those who spent at least two hours in nature in the previous week, even if not living near a park, reported better wellbeing than those who spent less time in natural settings.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
From RTÉ Radio 1's Countrywide, Ella McSweeney walks and talks on Hellfire Hill with author Michael Fewer about his new book A Natural Year: The Tranquil Rhythms and Restorative Powers of Irish Nature Through the Seasons
In fact, the positive feelings we have when we are outdoors correspond to what scientists have studied as stress relief and attention restoration features of nature. When we worry about something, we tend to ruminate on negative thoughts. Walking in nature can significantly reduce rumination and activity in a brain region called the subgenual prefrontal cortex, which is associated with processing those kinds of thoughts.
The way we look at nature tells scientists about the mechanisms behind the benefits of green environments. When we are immersed in a natural environment, we can look around and observe the interesting shapes of trees, leaves, flowers and find the perfect mix between not being bored and not being bombarded by stimulation. This happy medium is called 'soft fascination'. Research has shown that people’s eye movements differ when we observe a natural landscape and an urbanized one, and it is a sign that our attention is restored after viewing natural scenes.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
From RTÉ's You OK podcast, coaching pychologist, lecturer, author and former UN peacekeeper Hugh O'Donovan on mindful walking
A study where people were asked to walk along specific city routes showed that brain activity changed from walking from a busy road to a park, potentially indicating lower levels of stress and relief from mental overload when moving to a greener environment. We are replicating this study in Cork, using a cap which records brain waves while people walk in different parts of the city.
Many studies have shown that being outdoors can help recover our attention, even if we're only outside for a short period of time. For those who can do so, five minutes in the garden can contribute to returning to tasks with refreshed mood and attentional skills. When we are outdoors, we can experience bodily sensations and emotions generated by being in nature. When we think about it later, we consolidate our positive memories, encouraging us to go out and exercise again.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, young nature detective the Philips sistsers on exploring nature and sharing their discoveries through social media.
The right dose of nature and the right type of activity depends on a number of different factors, including how 'in tune' with nature we feel and if there is nature available nearby. Like many other aspects of human behavior, there are individual differences and some feel more connected with the natural world than others.
People have different responses when asked if the natural world is a community they belong to or if connecting with nature is an important part of their identity. Those that feel more connected with nature, also tend to report to be happier. Although 'nature connectedness' may play a part in enhancing the beneficial effects of being in nature, the most benefits we can get from being outdoors is finding what works for us. If one is very sensitive to noise and lots of people, they can decide to go out at a quieter time, or along a less crowded path, or may opt for gardening, which can also be very active. If someone is looking for excitement and stimulation, they can engage in outdoors sports.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
From RTÉ Radio 1's Keywords on "by nature", Zoe Comyns introduces us to the world around us
Approaching being outdoors mindfully is a way to fully enjoy and benefit from the experience, to make it work and be more meaningful for us. Once you arrive back home, you can think about what worked. If you feel more relaxed, in a better mood or more energetic, you can tailor the experience to what makes sense for you.
Of course, it is not easy to be mindful of the environment all of the time. Sometimes we are bored and we need to listen to music on our phone, although nature, with its vibrant colours and shapes has been shown to reduce boredom, if we pay attention to it.
READ: How we've rediscovered the natural world during the lockdown
READ: Here's why soil smells so good after it rains
READ: The joys of outdoor swimming
We may also enjoy some external motivation. We recently engaged with Young At Heart, a local retirees group in Cork, and devised a six-week walking programme utilizing trackers to count steps and monitor other aspects of walking. Most reported enjoyment in using the trackers and experienced higher motivation to exercise more often. They also reported feeling better and more energized after the program. Experiencing the benefits of being outdoors can help us take action to protect nature and adopt sustainable behaviors that will allow the benefits of the outdoors to be available for years to come.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
