LONDON (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Deadlines that suddenly come at you faster than expected, paperwork that is postponed, a lot of work still to be done. Do you also find it difficult to focus on your work and your productivity suffers as a result? All the more reason to take a walk.
The many studies that appear on the subject show that people have more and more trouble concentrating. Due to the many stimuli around us, we quickly become distracted and lose our focus. A walk in a green environment can apparently already do a lot against your attention problem.
What nature walk is not good for?
People who suffer from depression can boost their memory capacity by taking a walk in a green environment. And it has been proven that children with ADHD can concentrate better after 20 minutes in a park.
The green aspect should therefore not be underestimated. For example, it appears that a normal walk along a street does not make a remarkably positive contribution to the ability to concentrate. A nature walk, on the other hand, increases the concentration level by 20%.
Even just looking at a photograph of a natural landscape or peering through the window can be a remedy for mental fatigue.
Nature, a natural stimulus?
Activities in a wooded area are not only good for concentration, but also help to overcome stress.
Jenny Roe, researcher at the Heriot-Watt University of Edinburgh, explains the phenomenon: “It has previously been shown that an environment with trees and parks leads to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol among residents than in people living in a neighborhood with mainly concrete structures. Moreover, it has already been shown that children with concentration problems achieved better results on cognitive tests after a walk through a park. Brain scans have also shown that subjects became calmer and more meditative after viewing images with natural scenes.”
But why is that green environment so important and how does it influence our brains? It is true that people are impressed by the beauty of nature. Our brains are overwhelmed by this and this generates feelings of awe. That feeling causes a mental boost.
In short, a natural environment in combination with a physical activity such as walking, which is also good for all kinds of other things, is highly recommended for those who would like to be more focused on work. Perhaps you could suggest a walk to your colleagues during your lunch break?
