Nature Facts
According to the Attention Restoration Theory (ART), spending time in a natural environment can help us regain the cognitive resources lost during periods of intense focus (Pasanen et al., 2018). Research shows that even a short exposure to nature has positive effects on:
Lowering Stress: Green spaces can reduce cortisol levels and help us feel more relaxed.
Boosting Mood: A brief walk outdoors or simply gazing at natural scenery can quickly improve mood.
Enhancing Focus: Studies indicate that nature replenishes attention, allowing us to concentrate better when we return to our tasks (APA, 2020).
University of Chicago Green Spaces Study: Green spaces near schools were shown to help children develop brain functions more effectively and improve self-control (APA, 2020).
Cognitive Performance Across Multiple Experiments: Nature experiences boost working memory and help us manage where we direct our attention (Stenfors et al., 2019).
Biophilia (Harvard biologist, E.O. Wilson) - humans have a fascination and need to interact with other life forms. Throughout evolution we spend over 90% of our time in nature. Our physiology is still adapted to it. Our senses are adapted to interpret information from plants and streams.
120 minutes per week of nature exposure is related to optimal health and well-being (White et a., 2019).
Fractals and stress research - The results of many studies show that exposure to fractal patterns in nature reduces people’s levels of stress by 60% (Taylor R.P., Spehar B. (2016) Fractal Fluency).
Enhanced mood and happiness: Studies have shown that being near a variety of bird species correlates with higher levels of happiness. Birdwatching also elicits emotions like joy, awe and inspiration, contributing to an overall positive mental state. (Randler, 2022 & Methorst, 2021).
Place attachment - is recognized as the emotional component and quality of a place to which people are drawn.
American Psychological Association. (2020, April 1). Nurtured by nature. Monitor on Psychology, 51(3). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature
Pasanen, T., Johnson, K., Lee, K., & Korpela, K. (2018). Can Nature Walks With Psychological Tasks Improve Mood, Self-Reported Restoration, and Sustained Attention? Results From Two Experimental Field Studies. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 2057. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02057
Stenfors, C. U. D., Van Hedger, S. C., Schertz, K. E., Meyer, F. A. C., Smith, K. E. L., Norman, G. J., Bourrier, S. C., Enns, J. T., Kardan, O., Jonides, J., & Berman, M. G. (2019). Positive Effects of Nature on Cognitive Performance Across Multiple Experiments: Test Order but Not Affect Modulates the Cognitive Effects. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1413. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01413
McKnight, Phillip (2025, Jan. 6). How Nature Restores Attention: Simple Way to Boost Your Mental Clarity. Center for Nature Informed Therapy. https://www.natureinformedtherapy.org/post/how-nature-restores-attention-simple-ways-to-boost-your-mental-clarity.