Examining The Science of Nature + Happiness

“Imagine a therapy that had no known side effects, was readily available, and could improve your cognitive functioning at zero cost. Such a therapy has been known to philosophers, writers, and laypeople alike: interacting with nature […] these effects have recently been documented.” [1] 

Today’s Hap is simple: Spend time in nature.

If all you have is a path, go for a walk outside.

If you have a trail to hike, a river to kayak, a lake to swim in, a rock to climb, a wave to ride, a mountain to bike or ski, so much the better.

It does not take much—as Henri Matisse said, “There are always flowers for those who want to see them.”

The Costs of Artificial Lifestyles

The modern human spends more and more of our time staring at a screen, despite cross cultural research hinting at deep health and happiness costs of artificial environments—ranging from cognitive impairment to depression. [2]

While certain television and digit media programs have been shown to be beneficial, [3] the costs of our digital immersion include disruptions of mood, sleep, and diurnal rhythms, short-term impairment of attention and cognition, long-term reduced academic performance in the young and greater cognitive decline in the elderly. [4]

Even the noise of a large city can produce negative consequences in our happiness and health. [5] Yet spending time in nature can give a much needed rest from noise pollution and it have positive restorative effects. [6]

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.” – Helen Keller

Massive Benefits of Time Spent in Nature

“Multiple new fields—such as diverse schools of ecology, as well as evolutionary, environmental, and eco- psychologies—argue for an intimate and inescapable link between mental health and the natural environment (Esbjorn-Hargens & Zimmerman, 2009).” [7]

And while the specific psychotherapeutic benefits of spending nature deserve more attention, spending time in nature has been shown to “reduce symptoms of stress, depression, and ADHD,” [8] foster community benefits,” and improve “cognitive, attentional, emotional, spiritual, and subjective well-being.” [9]

Studies have shown extra benefits in specific populations—office workers, immigrants, hospital patients, and prisoners.[10] And hospital patients with a view of nature have better outcomes, including going home sooner. [11]

So take a moment to get out in nature, and see how your mood changes.

He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature. -Socrates