Nature Heals – And Helps Us Think

By Shlomo Maital  

      In the latest episode of the psychological podcast Hidden Brain, with Shankar Vedante, the theme is how Nature Heals.  It is based on a conversation with psychologist Mark Berman, U. of Chicago, who researched the subject.

      Vedante opens with these startling statistics:  “The share of American adults reporting they took prescription drugs for mental health conditions stood at 19% in 2022. … That’s millions of people taking drugs for anxiety, for depression, for attention deficit disorder. Millions more are in therapy, working through their challenges with a counselor. For many people, such measures are enormously helpful, even essential. At the same time, it may be the case that we are overlooking a potential source of relief that is literally right outside our door. This remedy costs nothing, has no known side effects, and is often delightfully pleasant. We are talking about spending time in nature. The capacity of the natural world to soothe and refresh our sensibilities has been known for centuries. But it’s only recently that scientists have begun to identify exactly what it is about the outdoors that has such a powerful effect on our moods and our minds.”

      Berman and other scholars have shown what virtually all of us know – a stroll or hike or jog through Nature is calming, refreshing, relaxing … and can heal the mind, at least in part.  And there is an additional benefit.

       In daily life, our brains are attentive to what we are doing and what needs to be done.  In other words, our brains are very busy.   In Nature, as we stroll along, our brains relax, and have nothing more to do than to breathe and take in the beauty.  And then,  things pop in to our minds – ideas, solutions, Plan B’s….   These ideas are always there, but our brains are busy and we don’t have time or attention to hear them.

       Berman explains that in Nature, we no longer have focused attention, enabling our brains rest, relaxation and ideation.

       We all know this, right?   Why don’t we use this more often?   I find that our two doggies help a lot – they need walks four times a day, especially the elderly Yorkie, who is 14.  We are blessed to live among beauty, among old trees and blooming flowers.  Even a short walk can be therapeutic.  And it’s right under our noses.