The Impact of Nature on Our Brain

Our brains and bodies are shaped and continue to be shaped by our environment. As the earth's landscape is changing faster than ever due to human impact, it has become more important than ever to understand our relationship with nature. Although we as a species are able to adapt much of our behavior to thrive in our modern environments, our brain and physiology are inherited from our ancestors who evolved in very different conditions. Therefore, it is important to recognize how both nature and its absence affect us. Influential biologist Edward O. Wilson proposed that contact with nature is a universal and fundamental human need, not a matter of cultural or individual preference. It has been suggested that our brain has evolved to prefer living among high diversity of plant and animal life for food and resources, tall vegetation for shelter and protection, and natural water sources for drinking and washing. Naturally, since we today live in very different, increasingly urban circumstances, the absence of these elements is bound to affect us.

When compared to urban environments, an overwhelming preference for natural landscapes emerges among people, regardless of cultural differences or other demographic variables. This can also be seen in brain activity. Viewing natural landscapes activates the area of the brain associated with pleasure. On the other hand, urban landscapes do not trigger this pleasant effect. Moreover, the use of artificial elements in these environments significantly diminishes the positive impact of the landscape. One interpretation proposes that these effects arise simply from the visual attraction of nature; many people find natural elements aesthetically pleasing. Biophilic theory, however, indicates a deeper, unconscious mechanism: our preference for natural environments is likely shaped by how capable we perceive them to be in providing psychological restoration and stress relief. Conversely, the absence of plants and other natural elements can signal an unsafe environment and cause our brain to trigger stress responses. This implies that even people who claim not to be interested in nature or plants can be negatively affected by their absence. Thus, the brain's response to the absence of nature can function at a completely unconscious level.

When we face something we fear, we experience a physical reaction. Our heart rate and breathing accelerate, our muscles tense, and our digestive process slows down. This is caused by the activation of our sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and is known as the "fight or flight" response or acute stress response. The purpose of this response is to prepare us for a challenging situation, whether facing the threat or escaping from it. Together with the "rest and digest" response of the parasympathetic nervous system, our autonomic nervous system maintains a balance between stress and recovery. However, when the autonomic nervous system becomes imbalanced, this can lead to chronic stress and what is known as allostatic load. Repeated or prolonged activation of the stress response causes physiological wear due to continuous exposure to stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline drives the immediate and acute stress response, while cortisol is released more steadily throughout ongoing stress.

A multitude of studies confirm how long-term chronic stress negatively affects our health and well-being, causing conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic damage, and mental health problems. The common causes of chronic stress stem from our modern environment and fast-paced lifestyle, both of which can be psychologically challenging. Work, in particular, is one of the most significant contributors to stress and stress-related illnesses. Therefore, the indoor work environment undoubtedly has the greatest need for nature's intervention.

Stress Recovery Theory (SRT) proposes that non-threatening natural environments promote physiological recovery and relaxation through innate, adaptive responses linked to survival and feelings of safety. Because of this restorative effect, we are also able to perform better on tasks requiring selective attention, i.e., the ability to control distractions through the use of inhibitory mechanisms. Selective attention is essential for cognitive performance, emotional regulation, and short-term memory. Exposure to nature improves many aspects of human health and well-being, and can also be a useful way to improve focus, performance, productivity, and cognitive abilities. Nature-based therapy is already being used effectively to treat various conditions related to these challenges.

Studies have shown that contact with nature improves focus in children with attention difficulties, benefits pregnant women, and affects faster health improvement in the sick.

Let your brain breathe!

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