Stressed Out? Take a Minute to Listen to the Birds
By Susan Stone, MA, LMFT
Maybe you have a desk with a window that has a nice tree outside. In the afternoon (really, whenever you get perplexed or need a quick moment of away-time), do you ever find yourself looking out the window to see the leaves and sunshine? How about the birds flitting around? I bet it helps you feel better for a bit.
Nature is a natural tonic – and researchers have been turning their attention to its benefits.
Recently, the busy-bees at the US Forest Service and at the University of Utah have been studying how and why nature is restorative. We already knew that when the brain enters an Alpha Wave state, the body is calmer and anxiety responses are reduced. Now, we’re seeing that when in nature, these same Alpha Waves are emitted. The brain isn’t working so hard – it takes a break!
Benefits include: Increased efficiency in problem solving, creativity, focus, attention span, and mental agility; decreased symptoms of anger, anxiety, depression, and mental fatigue or burn-out; and increased patience and empathy for others.
Ideas:
- Do your thinking to untangle the knot of a problem on a walk.
- Open the windows – listen to the birds now and then.
- Try an outdoor meeting or working session to think outside-the-box about challenges.
- Have difficult conversations with our partner in the backyard or on a patio with a view.
- Go for a walk, a hike, a drive in the mountains.
- Put nature shots on your screen saver.
- Play birdsong instead of music once in a while.
Want to read more?
Let Nature Boost Your Team’s Creativity – McKinsey.com
The Surprising Health Benefits of Bird-Watching – The New York Times
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