Researchers found that walking among trees improved cognitive function, attention skills, short-term memory, and creative problem solving. Being in nature helps the brain’s default network—or imagination network—to kick in. This allows for more divergent thinking and spontaneous ideas that lead to innovation.

Spending time in nature is beneficial for our brains, according to the Attention Restoration Theory (Kaplan, 1995). This suggests that being outdoors or even just viewing nature can rejuvenate our tired minds and sharpen our focus. Research, like the study conducted by Atchley et al. (2012), found a significant boost in creativity and problem-solving skills in people who spent several days in nature, disconnected from technology.

Being in natural surroundings helps refresh our thinking abilities and improves our concentration, as shown in a study by Ohly et al. (2016). It also encourages our minds to wander, a process beneficial for creativity, helping us think outside the box and connecting ideas in new ways (Atchley et al., 2012; Williams et al., 2018). This "natural" thinking break is a powerful tool for innovative problem-solving. Therefore, nature isn't just good for our physical health, it's also a catalyst for our creativity and cognitive functioning.

References:

Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(3), 169-182.

Atchley, R. A., Strayer, D. L., & Atchley, P. (2012). Creativity in the wild: Improving creative reasoning through immersion in natural settings. PLoS ONE, 7(12), e51474.

Ohly, H., White, M. P., Wheeler, B. W., Bethel, A., Ukoumunne, O. C., Nikolaou, V., & Garside, R. (2016). Attention restoration theory: A systematic review of the attention restoration potential of exposure to natural environments. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 19(7), 305-343.

Williams, F., Harvey, M., & Kirschbaum, C. (2018). The restorative effects of nature: A systematic review of physiological and psychological effects within a health care context. Health Environments Research & Design Journal, 11(4), 80-105.

Nature-based interventions have been shown to have positive effects on well-being and mental health. Research has demonstrated that nature experiences can improve cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, and other dimensions of mental health (Bratman et al., 2019). These interventions trigger psychological detachment from work and reduce work-related stress exposure, allowing for attentional recovery and the renewal of attentional capacity (Gritzka et al., 2020).

Engagement with nature is important for overall health and well-being, but urbanization and modern life have led to a reduction in nature experiences. Nature-based health interventions can promote improved physical, mental, and social health and well-being by promoting nature-based experiences (Shanahan et al., 2019). Nature-based interventions have also been found to be effective in improving mood and well-being for individuals with depression and anxiety (Keenan et al., 2021). Additionally, mindfulness-based interventions that incorporate nature have been shown to promote psychological well-being in both adults and adolescents (Cilar et al., 2020).

References:

Bratman, G., Anderson, C., Berman, M., Cochran, B., Vries, S., Flanders, J., … & Daily, G. (2019). Nature and mental health: an ecosystem service perspective. Science Advances, 5(7). https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aax0903

Cilar, L., Stiglic, G., Kmetec, S., Barr, O., & Pajnkihar, M. (2020). Effectiveness of school‐based mental well‐being interventions among adolescents: a systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 76(8), 2023-2045. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14408

Gritzka, S., MacIntyre, T., Dörfel, D., Baker-Blanc, J., & Calogiuri, G. (2020). The effects of workplace nature-based interventions on the mental health and well-being of employees: a systematic review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00323

Keenan, R., Lumber, R., Richardson, M., & Sheffield, D. (2021). Three good things in nature: a nature-based positive psychological intervention to improve mood and well-being for depression and anxiety. Journal of Public Mental Health, 20(4), 243-250. https://doi.org/10.1108/jpmh-02-2021-0029

Shanahan, D., Astell-Burt, T., Barber, E., Brymer, E., Cox, D., Dean, J., … & Gaston, K. (2019). Nature–based interventions for improving health and wellbeing: the purpose, the people and the outcomes. Sports, 7(6), 141. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7060141

Nature-based interventions have been found to have a positive impact on stress reduction. Contact with nature has been shown to promote restorativeness and help individuals cope with psycho-physiological stress (Berto, 2014). Engaging in nature-based activities, such as group walks in nature, has been found to buffer the effects of recent stressful life events on mental health, indicating the potential of nature-based interventions to foster resilience (Marselle et al., 2019). Virtual reality experiences of nature have also been studied as effective strategies for alleviating stress and improving mental health (Ho et al., 2023).

Additionally, engaging with nature in a structured way through nature-based interventions has been identified as an asset-based solution to improve mental health (Coventry et al., 2021). The potential of outdoor nature-based interventions in the treatment and prevention of depression has also been explored, highlighting the growing interest in utilizing nature as a therapeutic tool (Owens & Bunce, 2022). The sensory dimensions of nature, including smellscape, have been found to have a profound effect on stress reduction, further emphasizing the relationship between nature and stress reduction (Pálsdóttir et al., 2021). Overall, the literature supports the notion that nature-based interventions can play a significant role in reducing stress and promoting well-being.

References:

Berto, R. (2014). The role of nature in coping with psycho-physiological stress: a literature review on restorativeness. Behavioral Sciences, 4(4), 394-409. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs4040394

Coventry, P., Brown, J., Pervin, J., Brabyn, S., Pateman, R., Breedvelt, J., … & White, P. (2021). Nature-based outdoor activities for mental and physical health: systematic review and meta-analysis. SSM - Population Health, 16, 100934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100934

Greup, S., Kaal, S., Jansen, R., Manten-Horst, E., Thong, M., Graaf, W., … & Husson, O. (2018). Post-traumatic growth and resilience in adolescent and young adult cancer patients: an overview. Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology, 7(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1089/jayao.2017.0040

Ho, M., Wu, M., & Yen, H. (2023). Effects of virtual reality natural experiences on factory workers’ psychological and physiological stress. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.993143

Marselle, M., Warber, S., & Irvine, K. (2019). Growing resilience through interaction with nature: can group walks in nature buffer the effects of stressful life events on mental health?. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(6), 986. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16060986

Owens, M. and Bunce, H. (2022). The potential for outdoor nature-based interventions in the treatment and prevention of depression. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.740210

Pálsdóttir, A., Spendrup, S., Mårtensson, L., & Wendin, K. (2021). Garden smellscape–experiences of plant scents in a nature-based intervention. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.667957