This Is Your Brain on Nature
NorthCascades
Posts: 10,968 Member
As summer fades into autumn, here is a reminder of how we all need nature in our lives, to help us deal with stress. So put on a jacket if you need to, have a sip of hot tea before you walk out the door if it's cold out, and go for a walk, run, bike ride, or anything else. Just go outside and be under the sky.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2016/01/call-to-wild/
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2016/01/call-to-wild/
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Good article. I did my long run up in the state forest today because I needed some green, shade, and quiet. It was lovely.3
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I am extremely appreciative of where I landed as an adult during my working years/decades, a fairly rural, small town in the mountains. I live a very short distance away from open forest where one can walk with zero disturbance from noise and other humans. I make a point to start my day with a morning walk in the woods. It's unbelievable how wonky my day is when I can't get that nature walk in. It truly affects me negatively when I can't.
I may not have a lot of cultural opportunities, shopping alternatives (OK by me!), or limitless ways to meet large numbers of people with similar likes/dislikes, but I have found niches with smaller circles of friends. The best part of it all is to have a life that is immersed in nature. I agree with this article; it's something I've known intuitively for years and it's nice to see some science backing it up.11 -
CarlydogsMom wrote: »I am extremely appreciative of where I landed as an adult during my working years/decades, a fairly rural, small town in the mountains. I live a very short distance away from open forest where one can walk with zero disturbance from noise and other humans. I make a point to start my day with a morning walk in the woods. It's unbelievable how wonky my day is when I can't get that nature walk in. It truly affects me negatively when I can't.
I may not have a lot of cultural opportunities, shopping alternatives (OK by me!), or limitless ways to meet large numbers of people with similar likes/dislikes, but I have found niches with smaller circles of friends. The best part of it all is to have a life that is immersed in nature. I agree with this article; it's something I've known intuitively for years and it's nice to see some science backing it up.
@CarlydogsMom Beautiful post, and @NorthCascades , beautiful article. I'd read it before, but it still rings so true.
I live in a small town near mountains, and since I started walking every day again, then beginning running 2 years ago, my life is immeasurably better.
Not only am I healthier and happier (so much better I can't describe!), I find wonderful joy in taking photos of the beautiful and interesting things I see when I'm out. I share them, and I'm told this brings others pleasure too.4 -
Being outdoors is my stress relief. I'm very lucky to live next door to a nature reserve.2
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Not only am I healthier and happier (so much better I can't describe!), I find wonderful joy in taking photos of the beautiful and interesting things I see when I'm out. I share them, and I'm told this brings others pleasure too.
Love that you inspire others with your photos as well. I enjoy taking pictures while out and about. I started making/selling beaded jewelry as a side hobby, and my business name's tagline has in it: "inspired by nature." Well, just for fun, here's an example!
Swallow-tailed butterfly (husband took this shot) and resultant creation:
Makes for a fun way to bring nature even more into my life.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbg-Ry_cSaA
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Yes! In my environmental science class, we learned about NDD. Nature deficit disorder. And it's my generation affected greatly by this due to technology. If we are disconnected with the earth, then we are ultimately disconnected from ourselves. Great post2
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Thanks so much for this, NC.
I'm a PNW girl myself, and this article really rings true for me. So much beauty and so necessary.
Now if we could stop tearing down all my friends the trees I would be most grateful. They've paved Paradise and put up enough parking lots.
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And one of my favorite infographics:
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I bought a set of wheels through a shop in a small mountain town 200 miles from Seattle, there's a long story surrounding this, but the short version is I "had" to go pick them up this weekend. While the shop was setting them up for me, I rented a pair of full squish MTBs and took Beth riding at Harts Pass. I've been slowly working on turning her into a cyclist; she said she's never been on a bike like this before and loved it, and also the scenery and solitude.
When you think of a burn scar, you think of death and destruction. But when you stand in one, the place is teeming with life. The ground is covered with blueberry bushes and wildflowers, mostly things that wouldn't exist in a mature forest because enough light doesn't reach the ground. This new growth provides food and habitat for all kinds of creatures. These are special, wonderful places.
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And here's a quick snapshot of my new hoops - the "once and future" wheels. I'm gonna start a thread later to talk about them.
We stopped on the way back, Beth told me to go ride for half an hour while she sat by a river and soaked it in.
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Wow absolutely gorgeous!!!
I'm a big-city dweller, but my run in the park yesterday was amazing; usually I just work out in my basement gym but then I don't see sunlight or other people very often. Even though the park was crowded, getting outside was amazingly restorative, and it's always so inspiring to see people of all ages and backgrounds walking, running, biking, alone and with families. Everyone with a variety of bodies, not looking like they necessarily care about goal weight. Kids playing on boulders with giant logs, trying to build a natural shelter. Teens on skateboards. It was just... beautiful.
I always prefer hiking in nature where it's quiet. But being in a crowded park was still so restorative. Green spaces for the win!4 -
I am very fortunate to live a few hundred metres away from the Ottawa River, the recreational paths that go alongside it and an easy bike to Gatineau Park (no so easy once you're in the park, but that's half the fun...) where I can enjoy either my road bike or go off road on the trails.
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I always prefer hiking in nature where it's quiet. But being in a crowded park was still so restorative. Green spaces for the win!
I feel exactly the same way. We have rugged, wild mountains, and I'm happiest deep in them, surrounded by meadows and wildflowers and waterfalls and peaks. But I can't get there after work, although I can ride around Lake Union and be one of the people enjoying fresh air and sunshine in one of the many parks along the way. I'm a lot happier and less grumpy when I spend time outdoors. Also, the burning in my legs is a little bit less noticable with all the pleasant distractions.2 -
I walk through the woods, or on the beach (usually both) almost every day. Can't imagine living somewhere I couldn't do that. I get weird without my nature fix.2
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From this morning's walk:
I hope you enjoy these even slightly as much as I enjoyed my walk.6 -
I live in southern Ontario and our nature is stunning. The Bruce Trail is amazing for hiking. We are planning a big hike in Algonquin in October. The fresh air is so calming.2
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/agree
I make sure to schedule a minimum of one week long vacation with no cell/internet access and let the family unplug.
You find this one on several "10 keys of success" lists.1 -
I'm pretty much what I call an "indoor kitty"- I am one of those people who attract bugs- and I get bit- A LOT. So it makes being outside in this humid climate hard for me.
But I grew up on a ranch- doing ranch work- and there was nothing better than going for a long ride. It was so refreshing- I now ride a motorcycle- and infrequently at that- which is frustrating that I don't get out more- but yes- there is ABSOLUTELY something to be said for "re freshing" outside.
Love the pictures!2 -
More. I think the best camera out there is the one you actually have available and use, so while these phone pics aren't the greatest, they helped catch a few nature nuggets to remember while I was out and about.
This morning, on my way to work, there was a fog lifting (unusual to even HAVE fog in AZ) on a local lake. I had to pull over and stop to take pics, here's my favorite. The huge cottonwoods on the back shoreline were just starting to turn gold, the phone really didn't catch how beautiful it was:
On a trip to the desert grasslands southeast of Tucson a couple weekends ago, the lighting was sublime. One of my most favorite areas, period:
And, if I can't get out to nature, we have our backyard pond (imagine that silt settled and the water clear, hub had just hosed down the rocks he laid that day...). After work, I sit on the bench with a glass of wine, and decompress!
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Gorgeous, @CarlydogsMom2
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I went back to my "roots" this past summer, doing a lot of biking and kayaking...... and lost 50 lbs!
I've a ways to go.... about another 70lbs or so but I SWEAR it was my getting back to those "roots" of enjoying the great outdoors that helped keep me on track not just physically but mentally too!
Can't wait to dig out the snow shoes!4 -
From this morning's walk:
I hope you enjoy these even slightly as much as I enjoyed my walk.
These are fantastic! Third one is my favorite. Looks like you know the secret: Ansel Adams didn't take pictures of landscapes, he took pictures of weather. You got the light and the fog and the mood just right.1 -
I live in southern Ontario and our nature is stunning. The Bruce Trail is amazing for hiking. We are planning a big hike in Algonquin in October. The fresh air is so calming.
Whereabouts on the Bruce Trail do you go? I haven't checked out a lot of the southern part, but I've spent a lot of time trekking around the Peninsula section. This is from a few weeks ago on the Bruce Trail around Lion's Head:
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NorthCascades wrote: »From this morning's walk:
I hope you enjoy these even slightly as much as I enjoyed my walk.
These are fantastic! Third one is my favorite. Looks like you know the secret: Ansel Adams didn't take pictures of landscapes, he took pictures of weather. You got the light and the fog and the mood just right.
@NorthCascades I'm out of action with a bad back at the moment, and that comment, plus it coming from you, has really lifted my spirits. Thank you.1 -
Yesterday was a rare nice spring day, so I walked to the botanical gardens
You can click the photos to see more.
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NorthCascades wrote: »From this morning's walk:
I hope you enjoy these even slightly as much as I enjoyed my walk.
These are fantastic! Third one is my favorite. Looks like you know the secret: Ansel Adams didn't take pictures of landscapes, he took pictures of weather. You got the light and the fog and the mood just right.
@NorthCascades I'm out of action with a bad back at the moment, and that comment, plus it coming from you, has really lifted my spirits. Thank you.
Sorry to hear about your back!! I hope you're on the mend.1
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf5TgVRGND4
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