Studies have shown that looking at nature makes you a nicer person. But if you're stuck in a big city where the only piece of greenery is sadly growing in a pot of crumbling soil, then fear not!
Looking at a screen saver of nature does the trick too. What's even more important to note is that when people spent more time staring at artificial landscapes they became more focused on more selfish goals such as wealth, and fame.
Check out this article and the accompanying nature slide show to give your mind some relaxation.
Looking at nature makes you nicer
If you can't get outside, download a landscape screensaver, study suggests
By Diane Mapes
“If it weren’t for Central Park, all us New Yorkers would kill each other,” says Ruta Fox, a 50-something jewelry entrepreneur from Manhattan. “It’s the saving grace of this city.”
As extreme as that sounds, Fox may be on to something. In a set of recent experiments, researchers at the University of Rochester in New York monitored the effects of natural versus artificial environments — and found that nature actually makes us nicer.
“Previous studies have shown the health benefits of nature range from more rapid healing to stress reduction to improved mental performance and vitality,” says Richard Ryan, a professor of psychology, psychiatry and education at the University of Rochester and co-author of the study, published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
“Now we’ve found nature brings out more social feelings, more value for community and close relationships. People are more caring when they’re around nature,” he says.
Fox, who lives three blocks from Central Park, says she’s definitely noticed the effect the 843 acres of woodlands, water bodies and rolling lawns has on the city’s overcrowded, overworked inhabitants.
“People in the park are happier,” she says. “They’re playing with their kids, running with their dogs, having picnics with their girlfriends or boyfriends. Their attitudes are better than in most circumstances of interaction in the city. It’s friendlier.”
Hi Gabrielle,
This makes so much sense. My wife and I live in the city. In the summer we frequently visit our family in a small community north of us and it always makes us feel more vibrant and alive.
I also tend to do a lot of more creative writing when we visit this small community. And you only have to walk 5 minutes from any residential home and you'll be on a walking trail that takes you around a lake or small park. It's such a beautiful area and there's nothing quite like it to life your spirits.
Bravo!
I've had a couple of glimpses of true connectedness - some seriously crazy spiritual experiences - and all have come after sitting in nature being consciously present!
I live in London and make every effort to escape every few weeks. Nature truly is good for the soul!
(And I'm a 25 year old "alpha male" - gents there is no excuse! Go and connect with a tree...!!)
When I was a child I remember the feelings of excitement as we drove out of town to the countryside. It was always like going to visit a cherished friend. In my twenties I couldn't wait to get out of the city and now I live in the country. I guess in some ways the countryside gets associated with relaxation and fun and concrete pavements and buildings get associated with work. Maybe it's all brainwaves?
Hey,
There is not much of landscape were I reside and I do not have a garden.
But I enjoy When I walk looking at trees.
When I go to the city, I feel tense when I need to ride the subway or take a bus. So I have with me pensils and a drawing pad to create my own relaxing garden or landscape, I filled them from memories of roses, flower, leaves. and sometime I incorporate myself in it. It is the joy of my life. It relax me. It makes me happy.
Love & Peace,
Yasmina
we are one with nature if we stop and observed we can learn and grow