Nature Windows vs. Cognitive Fatigue.

Undoubtedly, the advance of technology has brought forth resources for humans that elevate our knowledge and make our lives better. With this advance and the recent Covid pandemic, we became accustomed to working, communicating and essentially living from our computer screens.

This means we spend more than half of each day staring at a computer screen filled with digital infotoxins. Our brains have to work a lot harder to process and store all of the information thrown at us both voluntarily and involuntarily.

This ultimately turns into cognitive fatigue, otherwise known as mental exhaustion.

Even though we can't physically see the decline in our mental health, we feel it within our bodies and behaviors.

We know how gloomy we feel after a long day of work + binge watching Netflix. We know how badly our eyes hurt through each rapid scroll. How irritated we get when our patience is tested with a slow load. How we delay going to the bathroom in order to watch that next TikTok...

The envy we feel when looking at those vacation photos from people we don't even know. The wave of anxiety that comes with noticing a bikini models body and how different from us she looks.

Admitting that digital strain is a problem can be hard when we spend most of our lives behind a computer screen- but if the mentally fatigued brain is left without proper refreshment, the results are not so pretty.

Research shows that an increase in stress disorders, depression, anxiety, mood depletion, anger, impulsivity and isolation are the major prices we pay due to cognitive fatigue.

The good news is that nature immersion relieves cognitive fatigue!

Physically being in nature is the healthiest thing you can do for your mental and physical health.

But those of us who live in cities, and don't have access to Mother Nature's resources can engage in the beauty of Nature Windows

Here's how they work;

When you’re feeling mentally exhausted, spend a few minutes focusing on a nature photograph like this one.

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, Paris.

Picture yourself standing inside of the photograph. Imagine yourself touching the soft green leaves with your fingertips. Feel the slight wind blowing kisses at your rosey cheeks. Let the warm Parisian air flirt with your nostrils as you follow the scent to a nearby bakery. Dip your feet in the lake and watch your reflection dance with ripples in the water. Indulge in the thought of climbing up to Temple de la Sybille and people watching from above.

Now, close your eyes and imagine everything you've felt.

The cool thing is - we can trick our brains into believing we are immersed in real time nature while gazing at a photograph.

You guys...micro-dosing just five minute nature breaks every hour improves cognitive function!

It's time we stop overtaxing our brains and paying the price with our mental health. It's time we start investing in things that make our brains healthy.