Forest, park, seashore — the landscape does not matter. Staying in nature always helps to stop the obsessive “chewing” of painful thoughts that can provoke a mental disorder. And it just has a positive effect on us. Why?
“To go for a walk means to go to the forests and fields. Who would we be if we walked only in the garden or along the streets? — exclaimed in the distant 1862 the classic of American literature Henry Thoreau. He devoted a long essay to this topic, chanting communication with wildlife. After a while, the rightness of the writer was confirmed by psychologists, who proved that being in nature reduces stress levels and promotes well-being.
But why is this happening? Thanks to the fresh air or the sun? Or does our evolutionary craving for green expanses affect us?
If a person remains in the grip of bad thoughts for too long, he is one step away from depression.
Psychologist Gregory Bratman and his colleagues in Stanford University’s Department of Psychology have suggested that the positive effects of interacting with nature may be due to getting rid of rumination, the compulsive state of chewing on negative thoughts. Endless thinking of grievances, failures, unpleasant life situations and problems that we cannot stop, — a serious risk factor for the development of depression and other mental disorders.
רומינאַטיאָן אַקטאַווייץ די פּרעפראָנטאַל קאָרטעקס, וואָס איז פאַראַנטוואָרטלעך פֿאַר רעגיאַלייטינג נעגאַטיוו ימאָושאַנז. און אויב אַ מענטש בלייבט אין די קאַפּ פון שלעכט געדאנקען פֿאַר לאַנג, ער איז איין שריט אַוועק פון דעפּרעסיע.
But can walking get rid of these obsessive thoughts?
To test their hypothesis, the researchers selected 38 people living in the city (it is known that urban residents are particularly affected by rumination). After preliminary testing, they were divided into two groups. Half of the participants were sent for an hour and a half walk outside the cityin a picturesque valleywith great views of the San Francisco Bay. The second group had the same amount of time stroll alongלאָודיד4-lane highway in Palo Alto.
Being in nature restores mental strength better than talking with a soul mate
As the researchers expected, the level of rumination among the participants in the first group decreased significantly, which was also confirmed by the results of brain scans. No positive changes were found in the second group.
To get rid of mental gum, you need to distract yourself with pleasant activities, like a hobby. or a heart-to-heart talk with a friend. “Surprisingly, being in nature is an even more effective, simple and fast way to restore mental strength and improve mood,” notes Gregory Bratman. The landscape, by the way, does not matter. “If there is no way to go out of town, it makes sense to take a walk in the nearest park,” he advises.