Do you feel different after hiking in nature?
Then you’re not alone!
Studies show that people who walk in nature have fewer psychological problems than people who don’t. And hikers have lower levels of stress hormones after a nature walk than people who have not recently been outside.
When I return from a hike, I find I’m more relaxed and have more energy. I am able to focus and my outlook is more positive.
But why? What is going on? Are these effects real, or are we hikers just imagining them?
That’s what scientists want to know. An article in the New York Times last week described a new study. Gregory Bratman, a graduate student at Stanford University, wants to know if experiencing nature changes our brains in a way that affects our mental health.
He asked 38 healthy, adult city dwellers to take regular hikes. Some hiked in nature, others beside a busy street. The subjects walked at their own pace but could not listen to music while they hiked.
The nature hikers reported a small but significant improvement in their mental health. But the scientists also used brain imaging technology to scan their brains. They found that the nature hikers had less blood flow to the subgenual prefrontal cortex. This region plays a role in mood and anxiety as well as other aspects of personality. That this region is “quieter” after a nature hike is a big deal! It implies that hiking in nature changes the brain physically to improve mental health. Wow!
The details of the New York Times article are fascinating. Here is a link to the story:
How Walking in Nature Changes the Brain
By Gretchen Reynolds
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