What happens to your brain when you step out in nature?

If you’re feeling burned out, overwhelmed, or stuck at a crossroads, simply hit pause and go for a walk - in the embrace of nature. You will notice your mood begins to lift, stress starts to melt away, and your thoughts feel less cluttered. Nature does wonders for our brain, and yet it's all backed by science. A recent study by researchers at McGill University and Adolfo Ibáñez University found that spending time in nature, even briefly, triggers changes in your brain. It works by calming stress, restoring attention, and reducing mental clutter. The findings are published in the journal Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. The researchers found that connecting with nature alters brain activity associated with attention and relaxation. Researchers at McGill University and their colleagues at Adolfo Ibáñez University in Chile examined more than 100 brain-imaging studies. The findings add neuroscientific weight to the emerging field of nature connectedness, which seeks to better understand how humans relate to the natural world. “We know intuitively that nature feels good, but neuroscience gives us a language that lends credibility to shaping decisions about how nature is considered in health policy and the spaces we build,” co-lead author Mar Estarellas, a postdoctoral researcher in the Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, said.The researchers looked at the results from a wide range of studies and identified what they call a cascading pattern in how the brain responds to nature:What does being in nature really mean? This includes time spent in parks, near water, walking in the forests, and watching waterfalls. It is a rather wide spectrum. Even keeping plants at home or looking at pictures of nature counts. “As little as three minutes in a natural environment can lead to measurable changes, but more immersive, real-world experiences and longer exposure are generally associated with stronger and longer-lasting effects,” Estarellas said.At a time when excessive screen time is a growing concern, the researchers suggest spending time in nature, as it offers a mental reset that even a digital detox can’t provide.The researchers also point to actions towards a green urban design and ‘social prescribing,’ where doctors recommend time in nature.“There’s also a broader societal impact. Research shows people who feel more connected to nature tend to show more pro-environmental behaviour. Caring for nature and caring for ourselves aren’t separate; they reinforce each other,” Estarellasa added.