The Importance of Nature Windows

In a 2005 study, researchers induced mental fatigue in their subjects through cognitively demanding tasks, one that required the effort of voluntary attention. After the subjects were mentally fatigued, the researchers presented them with photographic images that were previously evaluated for restoration potential.

Half of the group viewed images that had been reported to be high in restoration potential– scenes that were, not surprisingly, of forests, water, mountains, beaches and so on. The other half of the mentally fatigued group viewed low-restoration pictures, such as scenes of city streets with multiple cars, industrial zones, housing development, and factories.

After viewing some 25 photographs of either high or low restorative potential for five minutes, the subjects delved back into the same cognitively demanding task for another five minutes.

The group who viewed the restorative nature scenes had better results than those who viewed the urban scenes– demonstrating higher sensitivity in detecting the target as requested, faster reaction time, and higher number of correct responses to the challenge. The same research group has recently replicated the findings of improved reaction time (after induced mental fatigue and rechallenge with a cognitive test) after viewing nature scenes rated high in fascination. They also reported overall better memory recall after viewing scenes of nature compared with built urban scenes.

Research pulled from Your Brain On Nature by Eva M. Selhub MD Alan C. Logan ND

Try it out;

While you are working on the computer, take a five minute break and stare into this image of an island in the distance.

What do you see?

What colors grab your attention?

What thoughts flow through your mind?

Take some time to really observe this image, and think about yourself sitting on a tree branch gazing into the distance.

Place yourself in this photo.

Then, check in with your body and see how you feel.

Do this every day when you're feeling overwhelmed with work. Give yourself a five minute Nature Window break, and write down how you feel. Then go back to doing your thing.

What differences do you feel in your body and mind from staring at the work screen and gazing at the Nature Window?

How does it feel to get back to work after this five minute mini digital vacation?

How has your productivity been affected?

How is your mood?