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It’s refreshing. It’s invigorating. And it leaves you feeling truly alive. No, I’m not talking about a cold shower or a fruit smoothie with a mochachino chaser. I’m talking about nature. Because according to a study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, getting outside—or even just thinking about it—can increase your vitality. [Richard Ryan, University of Rochester, et al., http://bit.ly/c01WHQ]
Hiking, biking or walking in the woods can be revitalizing. But why? Is there something special about the great outdoors that recharges our batteries? Or is it that enjoying nature often involves physical activity and, unless you’re Henry David Thoreau, interacting with others?
To find out, psychologists conducted a series of experiments to isolate nature from the equation. In one study, for example, they had undergraduates take a 15-minute walk along a tree-lined river bank or through an indoor hallway. And they quizzed students on how energized they felt before and after the stroll.
The results: participants who spent time outside, whether alone or with company, reported greater feelings of vitality. It even worked when the students looked at pictures of plants, or imagined being outdoors. So when you’re looking for that late-afternoon energy boost, try a walk in the park. Think of it as a "leaf" of absence.
—Karen Hopkin
[The above text is an exact transcript of this podcast.]
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Add CommentThanks Karen for a wonderful article. It certainly works for me
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thiswhen I spend time outdoors, watching birds at the feeder interacting, or the deer jumping around in the mornings.
Everday I feel excited by it. I feel blessed to have so many animals and trees around me. My cats, Sam and Molly, continue to bring a smile to my face. I find all of it "youthing". the vitality it brings keeps me living in a happy mindset. Please visit my blog and see a peacock on my driveway, and the deer in my meadow. It will make you smile and be youthing too. harriet@youthingessentials.com
Karen, I came across your article during a discussion period I was having with my counselors and coaches in a vision board coaching course I conduct. I did a quick search for nature and pictures or images. I was struck by the synchronicity that this was real time -- class June 8, article/podcast June 8. And most of all it reinforces the belif I have that pictures and what I call defining images can indeed influence our mind/body connection. Thank you so much for the brilliant job you did of summarizing the report. I went to the report site and saw how long and detailed it was. You did a masterful summry. I will be blogging about the article, the synchronicity and vison board creation later tonight. joyceschwarz@gmail.com
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