Nature “employs the mind without fatigue, yet exercises it.” (Frederick Law Olmsted in 1865)
I’ve recently started reading a book called ‘The Nature Fix’ by Florence Williams, which explores the science behind the theory that nature is good for us.
In the two chapters I’ve read so far, she has explored the science behind the growing Japanese custom of forest bathing or ‘shinrin yoku’ and discussed the neuroscience of being in nature with a group of scientists.
The point that made so much sense to me, and has made me think is that of “brain resting”, and how nature helps.
Our brains are crudely divided into three networks that in the book are called executive, special and default: The executive network is the part of the brain we use when we’re multi-tasking, or actively engaged with the world – planning, making lists, answering e-mails, planning our route home etc etc. Or, as I have begun to think about it, it is it ‘proactively doing’ network. The spatial network does what it sounds like – helping us to park that car and navigate our way home from the office. The default network is, as I think of it, the ‘reactively being’ network. It gives us “our free ranging, day dreaming, goal setting, mind wandering white noise” as F. Williams says.
Essentially, the default network kicks in when we stop proactively using the executive network.
This explains a lot.
Do you ever get the sensation that your brain just shuts down when it’s had sensory overload, and you’re left with the basic human functions?
Do you, perhaps, notice more about your environment when you’re tired, and you’re not overthinking?
Do you find it restful when you’re sitting in front of a beautiful view, you find your body relax, you begin to breathe and start to feel, rather than think?
I think of it as a shift from the proactive front of my brain, to the patient back part of my brain (although I don’t actually know exactly where in the brain these areas sit!)
It’s like the hyperactive toddler running away in front of its mother, tiring itself out as it practices its newly learned skills, and returning to the calm, patient maternal arms which take over, carry the toddler and bring a sense of peace and safety.
“When you’re engaged in nature, it leads to mindfulness. It’s passive, the world is coming and going.” Ruth Ann Atchley
Perhaps this is what mindfulness is – giving our executive network a rest – giving our brains a break!
By breathing, and concentrating on the here and now, we’re reducing the need for proactive thinking, and just letting our reactive minds just ‘be’ – with no need to ‘do’.
This is a very powerful feeling – especially in this day and age, when we’re conditioned to keep doing – to achieve, to try something new, to constantly check our social media, to buy the latest fashions, to see the latest movies, to compete with others, and to be successful. FOMO (Fear of missing out) constantly drives us forward to make sure that we’re sampling everything that life has to offer.
Sometimes this is wonderful – it leads to new experiences, new friends and a sense of achievement. I know that I am motivated and driven by setting goals and achieving them. If I hadn’t been driving myself forward, and thinking of ‘the next goal’ I wouldn’t be the person I am today, with the achievements that I’m proud of.
However, at what cost do we do this?
What’s the effect if we’re constantly feeding our greedy proactive brains – like a drug?
What’s the effect if we neglect our reactive ‘being’ selves? The part of us that allows us to restore our energy, to appreciate what we have, to determine our values and allow us to feel whole?
There have been times in my life when I have been so driven and forward looking that I have succumbed to extreme stress, driving myself towards goals that I think I want. I have become anxious, depressed, tired, irritable, and totally lacking in energy. I am ‘lucky’ in that I have the ability to keep moving forward, to double down, and bulldoze my way through difficult times. However, when those difficult times are of my own making, what am I missing?
In those times – which I can now increasingly recognise – I need to be in nature.
I need the simplicity of colours, sounds and smells.
It feels like going back to basics and resetting myself, like pushing that button that says ‘restore to factory settings’.
It’s a form of mindfulness – noticing the here and now. Just letting myself ‘be’.
Noticing the birds, the insects the plants as well as the grand, majestic sky. Noticing how many hues of green or blue I can differentiate.
I stop talking. I let my mind wander – the ‘default network’ kicks in.
I let my mind think of whatever it wants to, without trying to control it, or without trying to influence its path, or to judge my thoughts and think what I ‘should’ be thinking.
It’s amazing what comes up – it starts with things that I have been stressing about, even if I haven’t realised it – and by noticing these thoughts, and not trying to control them – I just let them drift away.
Then, as my brain and mind calm, along come the restorative thoughts – the creative thoughts.
I find myself thinking about my next stitching project, or possible book themes, of holidays past and present. I remember a friend I haven’t seen for a long time and make a mental note to contact them. I think about the new skill I’d like to take up.
My head is filled with ideas, but instead of being stressed, I feel uplifted and energised.
What is it about nature? Is it simply that we’re taking a break? Is it something primeval in our brains that recognises nature, a bit like the toddler returning to the comfort of its mother’s arms? Is there something more to it?
Perhaps it is, as Qing Li (immunologist at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo) hypothesises and researches and writes about - “aromatic volatile substances” (tree pheromones) that boost our immunity.
I don’t know. I’ll carry on trying to find out – both by reading but also by continuing to walk o’er hill and dale.
And give my brain a rest.
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