Popular wisdom has it that being immersed in nature is good for us but did you know
that there is now a scientific basis to support that claim?
Professor David Strayer, a cognitive psychologist from the University of Utah
has found that after a few days off grid surrounded by nature our brains show
a significant functional improvement in tasks such as problem solving.
Our digital lifestyle constantly taxes and over-stimulates the pre-frontal cortex
of our brain which deals with problem solving. This often leads to fatigue and
so it’s no surprise then that a few days with nature improves our capacity to think clearly.
It was Nietzsche who said that “All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking”
By measuring brain waves of participants who had been in beautiful natural surroundings
for 3 days Prof Strayer was able to demonstrate that different neuronal networks
became active when out in nature that are suppressed in our urban environment (the “3-day effect”).
After a few days the senses re-calibrate and you start to smell and hear things
you didn’t before, producing a transformational change.
So it’s official; being surrounded by natural environments is not just incredibly
enjoyable and rewarding, it’s actually good for your physical and mental well-being.
Surely that is an offer too good to refuse!
If you feel like some adventure therapy be sure to visit Deep Creek Conservation Park
or better still, why not join us on the Southern Ocean Walk.
