by Adriana Paredes- SAI Staff.
“According to a recent study the more time you spend outdoors away from the daily stresses of life the greater your level of creativity. The new study arrived at this conclusion after several backpackers took a test in creative problem solving before and after spending four days in nature away from all sources of technological and daily life distractors. The results: a 50% increase in their creativity.
The research was conducted by Ruth Ann Atchley, department chair and associate professor of cognitive/clinical psychology at the University of Kansas.
Atchley discussed the value nature provides to the human mind: “Nature is a place where our mind can rest, relax and let down those threat responses,” she said. “Therefore, we have resources left over — to be creative, to be imaginative, to problem solve — that allow us to be better, happier people who engage in a more productive way with others.” She calls the constant distractions and stimulation of modern life a “threat,” saying “they sap our resources to do the fun thinking and cognition humans are capable of — things like creativity, or being kind and generous, along with our ability to feel good and be in a positive mood.”
Whenever we can let’s take a walk in nature, allowing its healing effect take place in us and in our lives.
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