As a race, we are loosing touch with our natural roots in nature. Indeed, 30% of the world population now live in urban areas. In 1900, only 14% of people lived in urbanities. In addition, humans are spending more time indoors. A recent study revealed that UK children now only spend 10% of their time outside. 30 years ago, children remained active outdoors for 40% of their day. But what are the impacts of reducing our interaction with the natural environment? And, what can we do to try and restore our bond with nature? EPS discusses each matter.  

For many, actualising the healing and restorative powers of nature are intuitive: Whether it is finding our eyes are drawn to posters of calm blue seas, white sands and palm trees or seeking solace in nature when under stress, each event serves a purpose. Yet beyond this intuitive sense, a growing body of scientific research is now telling us that nature has a powerful role in maintaining and repairing our minds and bodies.  

So what are these findings?  

Numerous researchers have found that exposure to the natural environment reduces mental fatigue in the majority of people. This finding has been linked to the fact that our attention in nature is qualitatively different than in human-made environments. Studies have found that attention occurs in the form of “fascination” when we are in a natural environment and this is non-strenuous. Attention in artificial environments involves “directed attention” and this leads to mental fatigue.  

In line with these findings, researchers have also found that children who live near green spaces have a greater capacity for paying attention, delaying gratification and inhibiting impulses than their city counterparts. More remarkably, research has found that children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) display fewer symptoms after they have spent time in green spaces.  

Other aspects linked to green space exposure (in both children and adults) include a reduction in impulsivity, irritability, anxiety, depression and aggression. Surveys have also found that in times of stress and tension, natural settings are the preferred location and that job satisfaction is greater in workers who have natural scenes at their workplace.  

Yet not only can nature enhance our psychological health, studies have found that our interaction with nature has powerful health boosting and healing effects on our body. Indeed, hospital studies have found that 95% of patients who view scenes of foliage and other natural features require shorter hospital stays, need less medication and have fewer medical complications compared with those who view walls during their recovery.  

At a more basic level, our exposure to the natural environment increases our contact with nature’s health boosting features. For example, placing ourselves in the natural environment leads to exposure to necessary natural light - crucial for maintaining health. In spring and summer months, our predominant method of manufacturing vitamin D comes from our exposure to sunlight. Individuals deficient of vitamin D may experience severe fatigue, brittle bones, depression as well as a whole host of other adverse medical aberrations. Moreover, exposure to sunlight is crucial in keeping our circadian rhythms in good form (necessary for healthy sleep and emotional regulation).  

So, what can we do to increase our interaction in nature if we are a city dweller?  

Heading for the wild may not be your only option. Although most cities are punctuated by green spaces, research has found that having even a glimpse of nature from a window can also help restore our minds and bodies. For example, at a practical level, a worker may decide to direct their seat towards a city window with trees in view or take a train ride through a landscape with natural features. If this is not available, research has also found that placing artwork with natural features and aquariums in rooms can lead to great benefits. More elaborate ideas might include placing greenery and fountains in visible areas of buildings. Various psychologists have gone one step further by trying to encourage city planners and architects to pay more attention to the innate human need for our interaction with nature.  

By Thomas Brown MBPsS

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