We’ve heard it before – being out in nature is good for us. This has been pointed out several times. The stress level should decrease and it is generally associated with better health and more creativity. But is it really the time outside in the fresh air that gives the good effect, or is it the case that “balanced” people spend more time outdoors? With this as a background, German researchers decided to try to answer the question once and for all. By examining the human amygdala, a part of our brain that, among other things, regulates stress, they found answers. Located in our nature? From the beginning, man and nature have more or less gone hand in hand. Our ancestors lived in caves, on sprawling savannas and in forested valleys for millions of years. Now, however, many of us have chosen the concrete jungle. The cities, despite their many advantages, can also be a burden on our mental health, say experts. Research has indeed suggested that urban environments increase the risk of anxiety, depression and other psychological problems. But perhaps we need not despair. The solution is simple – because the German researchers have concluded: It seems that nature experiences have a good effect on the investigated part (amygdala) of our brain. So then it’s just a matter of getting out there… Less stress in the countryside 63 healthy, adult people took part in the study. Using a method called fMRI, the researchers found what they were looking for. Participants had to fill out questionnaires. They also had to perform practical tasks, as well as undergo several brain scans. During the scan, they had to answer several questions. Some of these were designed to cause stress. The participants did not know what the aim of the current study was when they agreed to take part. Previous research indicates that the amygdala is less activated during stress in rural residents. But that does not necessarily mean that life in the country causes such an effect. Because perhaps it is the opposite: That people who naturally have this desire and characteristic choose to live in the countryside? The results could have an important impact on how we deal with mental health problems. They can also help us design residential areas in the future, write the authors. Photo: Gorm Kallestad / NTB Shopping in Berlin The people in the study were randomly divided into two groups. One group had to take an hour’s walk in urban surroundings. In this case, it was about a trip in a busy shopping street in Berlin. The other group was allowed to go for a walk in the forest. Everyone followed a specific route, and no one was allowed to use their mobile phone along the way. After the trip, each participant underwent another brain scan. The results showed the following: A walk in the forest resulted in reduced activity in amylgada. Which supports the idea that nature can trigger beneficial effects in brain regions associated with stress. And apparently this can happen in just 60 minutes. – This is the first study that proves the causal relationship, says neuroscientist Simone Kühn. She is employed at the Max Planck Institute in Germany. More benefits The participants who went for a walk in the forest also thought they were more focused and that the walk gave them pleasure. The researchers also learned something interesting about the group that walked in urban areas. While the activity in the amygdala in these did not decrease, as it did in the group in the forest, it did not increase either. This despite the fact that they had spent an hour in very busy surroundings. This shows that city life does not necessarily stress everyone. But the researchers still strike a blow for nature. – The finding strongly argues for nature, as opposed to urban exposure, they write in their article. The study is published in Molecular Psychiatry.
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Just one hour out in nature should have a positive effect on your brain, shows a new study – news Trøndelag
