EP13:Deep Into - Good Nature
25:22 Share

Hey everyone and welcome to another deep dive with us. Today we're talking about something I think we all know and love on some level. Nature. Nature, exactly. But we're going beyond the simple idea that nature is good for you. Yeah. You know, and we're really getting into the science

of how nature impacts our well-being. Yeah, the specifics of it. The specifics, yeah. How do our senses connect us to the natural world in ways that maybe we don't even realize? Yeah, I think we all have that intuitive sense that being out in nature is good for us. Right. But this is about looking at what the research actually says. Absolutely. And our guide for this deep dive is a book by Kathy Willis called Good Nature, The New Science of How Nature Improves Our Health.

And I would say. Great book. Great book. Yeah. And Willis's journey is interesting in itself because she started as a paleoecologist. Oh, wow. So she was studying fossils. So really in the deep past. In the deep past, dealing with dead plants, as she puts it. Right, right. And she ended up leading Kew Gardens. Wow. Quite a transition. Yeah.

fascinated by how living plants impact us. It's kind of a cool full circle thing, isn't it? Yeah, it is. And I think that's one of the things that makes this book so interesting. Yeah. Is that she brings that perspective of like, here's the science, but here's also the lived experience of how this is actually playing out. Exactly. And she's got a foot in both worlds, doesn't she? Yeah, she does. So get ready for some fascinating insights.

Because we're going to be exploring why a view of trees can help you heal faster after surgery, believe it or not. I love that study. Yeah. It's amazing how different flower colors might actually impact your creativity. Yeah. And we're even going to get into...

into the science behind why hugging a tree might actually do you good. Well, we're going to talk about microbes in the soil too, which is one of my favorite topics. Oh, I'm fascinated by that. It's really cutting edge stuff. Yeah. That whole microbiome world. Yeah. So let's jump right in. Now, I know a lot of us spend a lot of time indoors these days. Yeah, unfortunately. Unfortunately. Yeah. But think about those moments when you do have a view of nature, even if it's just from a window. And I think almost everyone can relate to that feeling of,

When you're cooped up inside and then you get outside and you just feel better. You just feel better. Right. And there's a reason for that. And Willis talks about this classic study about hospital patients who recovered faster when they had a view of trees. Yes. That 1984 study. Yeah. That was kind of a groundbreaking study because it showed for the first time that simply seeing nature had a measurable effect on healing. Right. So it wasn't just about healing.

you know, fresh air or anything like that. It was really the visual input. Yeah. So what's going on there? Is it just a psychological thing? Like, you know, you see the trees and you feel better. Is it a placebo effect? Well, that's what they thought initially, but it turns out there's actual science at work. Okay. There are two key theories that kind of help explain this. The first is stress reduction theory. And the second is attention restoration theory. Okay. So let's break those down because I think those are really important. So stress reduction theory. Yeah. Is that

Just saying that when we are in nature or even looking at nature, our stress levels literally go down. Exactly. The theory suggests that our bodies are hardwired to find natural environments calming. Right. You know, we've evolved over millennia surrounded by nature. So when we're exposed to it, even just visually, our bodies react in ways that promote relaxation and recovery. So it's like our default setting is...

Chill. Chill. Right. In nature. Yeah. You think about it. Yeah. Okay. That makes sense. So then why do we feel so stressed in urban environments? Yeah. I mean, you would think that we would have adapted by now. Right.

Right. Well, and that's the thing is that urban environments actually hinder our ability to recover from stress. Okay. Because they keep us in this constant state of alertness. Oh, so our body's kind of like, wait a minute, this is not the Savannah I'm used to. Pretty much. Yeah. It's all wrong. Yeah. And that brings us to attention restoration theory. Okay. Which is about how nature helps us focus. Okay. I'm all ears because I need help with that. I think we all do. So our brains have a limited capacity for focused attention. Okay.

the kind we need for work for daily tasks. Right. And constant distractions, the kind we find in cities, drain that capacity. Oh, yeah. But when we look at natural scenes, they engage a different kind of attention, one that's effortless and involuntary. So it's like giving our brain a break. Exactly. It's a mini vacation for your mind. I like that. Allowing it to recharge and come back to tasks with renewed focus.

So it's not just that, you know, I'm not being distracted by, you know, my phone or whatever. It's like my brain is actually working differently. Right. Your brain is actually getting a break from that constant effort of trying to focus. OK, now here's where I thought it got really interesting, because Willis points out that not all natural views are created equal. That's right.

Apparently our brains have a preference for savanna-like landscapes. The wide open spaces with the scattered trees? Yeah, exactly. Now why would that be? Well, it might sound strange, but it could be linked to human evolution. You know, our ancestors lived in savanna environments. So we may have inherited a visual preference for them. So it's in our DNA almost. It could be.

There's even evidence that babies who have never seen a savanna still tend to prefer those views. That's wild. It's like we're programmed to find those landscapes calming. Yeah, so next time I'm feeling stressed, I should just Google a picture of the savanna. It might work. Yeah. You know, even having images of those landscapes in your workspace might have a positive effect. Okay, I'm going to try that. Yeah. But it's not just about...

You know, those wide open vistas. Right. It's also about color. I mean, think about driving through like New England in the fall. Yeah. And all those vibrant colors. It can be breathtaking. I'm sure, you know, people listening to this had that experience where you're just surrounded by these amazing colors of nature. Oh, absolutely.

And it really does something to you. And it's not just aesthetic either. There was a study where people who looked at images of green trees actually had lower stress levels compared to other colors. Green is literally calming. It seems to be. And Willis even goes further and suggests that different plant colors might have specific effects on us. Okay, now we're getting interesting. She uses her house plants as an example. She talks about her spider plant.

with those white and green stripes makes her feel energized, whereas her nerve plant with the red veins sparks her creativity. So each color kind of has its own personality. In a way, that's what the research is starting to explore. Wow. Japanese researchers found that looking at green-yellow leaves or bright green leaves had calming effects, but red leaves actually increased tension. Now that makes me think about fall because I love the colors of fall. Me too.

But red is supposed to be not so great. So why do we all crave that in the fall? That's a great question. And there is some evidence that our color preferences actually shift throughout the year, aligning with those natural changes in the environment. Oh, so maybe we need a little bit more of that red energy. Could be in the fall. As we're going into winter. Yeah, as things are, you know, kind of dying back. We need a little bit of that fiery energy. Okay, I can see that. I can see that. So even though green might...

Generally be calming. There are times when we crave those reds and oranges of autumn. Yeah. It's like nature provides us with what we need at different times. Exactly. It speaks to this really intricate connection between us and the natural world. Okay. Well, I think we've gone from, you know, calming green horizons to vibrant fall foliage.

So I think we've covered color pretty well. Yeah, we've covered the spectrum. But let's move on to something that I think truly delights all of our senses. Flowers. Flowers, exactly. Flowers are just, I mean, they're just so beautiful. They are. And, you know, they're more than just pretty decorations. They have this deep connection to human emotion and well-being that goes back centuries. Well, and Willis's description of her visit to the Chelsea Flower Show, I thought really captured that. Yes. The passion, the artistry, the competition there.

I mean, it's like the Olympics of the plant world. It is. It's amazing. And it really highlights our enduring fascination with flowers. You know, the ancient Egyptians adorned their tombs with floral motifs. The Romans filled their gardens with fragrant blooms. We still use flowers to mark life's most significant occasion. Right. Birthdays, weddings, funerals. I mean, everything. Flowers are there. Yeah. And it's not just tradition. There's actually science behind it.

There is research shows that receiving flowers triggers genuine smiles. Okay. There's a specific type of smile called a Duchenne smile, which is associated with genuine happiness. Interesting.

And studies have shown that having roses on your desk can significantly lower your stress levels. Wow. So we're not just imagining our bodies actually responding to these flowers. Our bodies are responding. It's physiological. Yeah. So are all flowers created equal in that regard? Well, that's where things get even more intriguing. While we tend to rate blue and purple flowers as the most beautiful, there's this study showing that yellow flowers actually boost creativity and focus. Interesting. So even though we might consciously prefer other colors...

our brains seem to be getting a different kind of boost from yellow. And that makes me think about those fake flowers that are everywhere these days. Oh, yeah. I mean, I've certainly bought my share of fake plants thinking, oh, it's easier, you know, that I don't have to water it. Right. Low maintenance. But

I have to admit, they don't have the same effect. And there's science behind that too. Really? Studies show that real flowers have a stronger impact on our well-being because of their authenticity. Okay. So that living energy of the plant

triggers those positive responses in us. Yeah, it's like it's missing that certain something. Yeah, it's missing that life force. Yeah. And it makes you wonder what other subtle ways we're being impacted by nature without realizing it. Yeah, all these invisible connections. Exactly. Well, speaking of connection, have you ever noticed how certain scents can just instantly transport you back to a certain time or place? Like Proust and his Madelines. Right. Yeah, for me it's pine needles. It always takes me back to like

childhood camping trips. Oh, that's nice. Yeah. Um,

Willis's exploration of scent starts with a visit to Floris, which is a historic perfumery in London. And it's fascinating how they use these unexpected ingredients. Like what? Like civet and musk to enhance those floral scents. Civet like the animal. Yeah, it comes from this cat-like creature, and musk comes from a gland near a deer's tail. And these are what give a lot of perfumes their complexity and depth. They call them base notes.

I would not have guessed that. Yeah, it's not what you'd expect when you think about flowers. Right. But this obsession with scent isn't new. No, not at all. I mean, we've been doing this for a long time. A long time. The ancient Egyptians used scents for mummification. They created perfumes. And even Aristotle and Plato theorized about how smell works. So we've been fascinated by this for millennia. Yes.

So what's actually happening in our bodies when we smell something? I mean, does it go beyond just like, oh, that smells nice? Well, that's where things get really interesting. Those scent molecules, they don't just stimulate our noses. They actually enter our bloodstream through our lungs. Oh, wow. And can trigger both physiological and psychological changes. So it's not just in our head. It's like aromatherapy, but with science. Exactly. Aromatherapy with a scientific basis. Okay. So give me some examples. Like what are some scents that have proven health benefits?

Well, pine forests are a great one. They release a compound called alpha pine, which has been shown to relax muscles, lower heart rate, and even boost the immune system. Wow. So a walk in the pine forest is basically a health tonic. It really is. And then citrus scents, those from lemons and oranges, can reduce lung inflammation. Interesting. Lavender, of course, is well known for its calming properties and can improve sleep quality. Yeah, I love lavender. Yeah, me too. Yeah, sleep.

Rosemary can improve alertness and focus, while peppermint is known to enhance memory. So we could be using this more intentionally then. We really could. To improve our health. Absolutely. But what about those scents that aren't so pleasant? Do they impact us at all? Well, Willis mentions this hilarious study where they tested different scents on drivers in a simulator. So they had people driving and they were pumping in different scents and roses made people drive more cautiously. Peppermint kept them alert and

and civet get this, made them drive faster and more recklessly. - So maybe skip the civet air freshener. - Definitely, it shows that even unpleasant scents can impact our behavior. - Okay, so we've covered sight color flowers,

and scent. What about sound? Sound, exactly. How does that play into our connection with nature? Well, sound is a powerful way we connect with the natural world. And unfortunately, in our urban environments, we're often bombarded with a lot of noise pollution. Right. It's hard to escape the noise. It is. And, you know, I live in a city too, and just finding peace and quiet can be a real challenge. Yeah. But why are certain sounds so harmful to us? I mean, is it just the volume?

Well, volume definitely plays a role, but even everyday noises like traffic airplanes, sirens can disrupt our sleep, increase those stress hormones and contribute to cardiovascular problems. So noise is literally bad for our health. It really can be. But the good news, I guess, is that natural sounds can have the opposite effect. They can. They can lower stress levels, improve focus and even help manage pain.

I've always found the sound of waves crashing or birds singing to be so calming. Yeah, me too. And there's science to back that up. Okay. There was a study where they found that people who listened to nature sounds had lower stress levels and reported less pain compared to those who didn't hear anything.

Okay, are all nature sounds created equal in terms of their benefits though? Well, that's a great question and the research suggests that bird song is particularly effective Okay, but specifically the melodic songs of birds like robins and blackbirds. Okay, so not like crows Crows and magpies might not be as restorative interesting, but it's not just about passively listening either Okay, combining those nature sounds with other

other senses like sight and smell can actually amplify the benefit. Oh, so it's like this multi-sensory immersion in nature. Exactly. Okay. But, you know, we live in an increasingly urbanized world. So are we just doomed to noise pollution? Well, that's the challenge. And researchers are actually mapping hotspots of restorative sound in cities. And the results are a little bit concerning because very few urban green spaces actually have soundscapes that are truly beneficial for our health.

So what can we do about this? I mean, should we all be moving to the countryside? Well, not necessarily. We can start by being more mindful of the sounds around us. Okay. Choose a walk in a park instead of a busy street. Okay. Spend a few moments just listening to birdsong. And maybe even hug a tree. And maybe even hug a tree. I know it sounds a little bit out there. It does. It does.

But Willis dedicates a whole chapter to the benefits of touch in nature. It's a fascinating chapter. Yeah. And she really challenges our cultural norms around touch in nature. She does. I mean, think about how often we tell kids. Don't touch. Don't touch. Yeah. And, you know, we're so disconnected from that tactile experience. And it's a shame because touch is such a powerful way to connect with the natural world and reap its benefits. Okay. I'm ready to learn more about hugging trees. All right. Well, stay tuned.

Welcome back, everyone. I don't know about you, but I'm ready to go hug a tree. Me too. I'm feeling very tactile after that last segment. But what I really like about Willis's book is that, you know, she doesn't just tell us to go hug a tree or, you know, get more nature. She really delves into the why. Yeah, why this connection is so important to us. As humans, yeah. It's not just about, you know, feeling good. It's really about this understanding that we're part of nature. Right.

We're intertwined with the natural world. Yeah. Yeah. And she talks about her own personal transformation as she was immersing herself in this research. Her home is now filled with plants. She uses essential oils. You know, her garden is this celebration of biodiversity. And she's even started appreciating birdsong in a whole new way. So she's like walking the walk. She is. Yeah, she's really living it.

Yeah, that's great. But it's not just about personal well-being either. Willis is very passionate about making nature accessible to everyone. Yeah, and that's something that we've kind of touched on throughout this deep dive is the importance of green spaces in urban environments. And she really challenges the way that we're doing things now.

You know, the way that a lot of urban planning is happening where nature is almost like an afterthought. An afterthought. Yeah. Yeah. She's pretty critical of this idea of biodiversity offsetting where developers can build on green spaces as long as they create new ones elsewhere. Right. Right. And her argument is that it just totally misses the point. It does. It's not just about the quantity of green space. It's about diversity.

Having it in the right place where people are exactly where people live work and play. Yeah, it's about recognizing that nature is not a luxury It's essential for our well-being. It's a necessity. Yeah, and she talks about this idea of any other should be Accessible green space within a 15 minute walk of where everyone lives 15 minute walk. That's a magic number That's the magic number and you know when nature is easily accessible it

It becomes part of our daily lives. It's not something we have to, you know, make a special effort to go and do. Right. And it's not just about parks and gardens. Right. I mean, she talks about the potential for bringing nature into homes, into offices, into school. All those spaces where we spend so much of our time.

And she really highlights the impact of nature on children. Especially children. Yeah. I mean, you think about those concrete playgrounds you see in some urban areas. It's a shame. It's really sad. Yeah. There was one study that found that exposure to green spaces improved health and cognitive outcomes in children by 147 percent. Wow.

That's just staggering. That's huge. Yeah. So it really makes you think about how we're designing spaces for children. Yeah. We need to be prioritizing nature, not just as something that looks nice, but as a fundamental part of their development. Absolutely. It's an investment in their future. Yeah. I'm really starting to question a lot of assumptions that I had about...

you know, nature. I think that's the power of knowledge. You know, it can change our perspectives and inspire us to make positive changes. Okay, so Willis is a big advocate for prescribing nature as a form of medicine.

She is, she acknowledges that more research is needed. But she highlights all these promising practices like forest bathing and horticultural therapy. Right. Things that have been around for centuries. In other cultures. And we're just starting to kind of catch up. We're starting to rediscover them. So it's a real shift in thinking. I mean, to go from thinking about nature as this separate thing to actually thinking about it as medicine. As a

powerful tool for healing and well-being. Yeah. Okay. So she proposes a framework for how we can use nature to improve our health. Right. She breaks it down into three categories. Okay. Reducing harm, restoring capacities, and building capacities. So it sounds like a three-pronged approach. Yeah. Okay. So reducing harm,

Give me an example of that. So that would be like using birdsong to reduce post-operative pain or incorporating wooden panels into hospital rooms to reduce eye fatigue.

Okay. So it's about minimizing the negative impacts of our built environment on our health. So kind of like damage control with nature. Yeah, damage control, exactly. Okay, what about restoring capacity? So that's about helping us recover from stress and mental fatigue. So things like taking a walk in nature or even just having a plant on our desks. Right, so those things that we've been talking about. Yeah, exactly. And then building capacities is where we get into...

Using nature to enhance our physical and mental resilience. It's more proactive. More proactive. Yeah. So things like exposing ourselves to diverse microbiomes or using scents to boost our immune system. OK, so this is really about taking charge of our health using nature. Yeah. It's about seeing nature not as a luxury, but as an essential part of a healthy life.

Yeah. Okay. So I'm sensing a theme here. There is definitely a theme. And Willis concludes with this really powerful call to action. She does. She urges us to stop treating nature as optional. It's essential. It's essential. Yeah. To recognize it as essential for our well-being and for the planet's health. And to advocate for access to nature as a human right. As a human right. Which is a really powerful statement. It is. It's about changing our mindset. Yeah. From seeing nature as something we exploit to something we cherish and protect.

I am feeling very inspired by this deep dive, I have to say. Me too. It's made me realize how much I've been taking nature for granted. I think that's a common experience. Yeah. You know, we live in a world that's increasingly disconnected from the natural world, and it's easy to forget how much we depend on it. But you know, the research is really clear.

Nature is not just a nice to have. It's essential. It's essential for our physical and our mental and our emotional well-being. All of the above. And it's not just about us. It's about protecting the planet. Yeah. And ensuring a healthy future for everyone. For generations to come. So I'm curious, you know, what insights really resonated with you as you're reading this book? What surprised you? What are you going to take away from this deep dive?

Well, one of the things that really stood out for me was the research on the microbiome. Oh, yeah. And how something as simple as playing in the dirt can have such a profound impact on our health. I agree. That was fascinating. Yeah. It really highlights how interconnected we are with the natural world, even on a microscopic level. Yeah. OK, so let's zoom back out from the microscopic world. OK. And revisit some of those bigger picture takeaways, because I think there are some really important ones here. There are. Absolutely.

And we are back for the final part of our deep dive into good nature. I feel like we've covered so much ground. We've had from savannas to trees to microbes. Exactly. And it all comes back to how nature impacts our well-being in these really surprising ways. So before we wrap things up, let's just take a moment and recap some of the key takeaways. Okay, sounds good.

We started by exploring, you know, how even a simple view of nature, like those trees outside a hospital window, can reduce stress and promote healing. Yeah, that was fascinating. And then we got into color, how green is so calming. Yeah. But then other colors like yellow can boost creativity. Yeah, it's like each color has its own personality. That's exactly. Yeah. Yeah. And then flowers, of course.

You know, they trigger genuine smiles and reduce stress and, you know, the different colors and shapes can have these different effects on us. Right. It's not just about how pretty they look. No. And then we went on that scent journey. Yes. Which I thought was so fascinating, learning how those plant compounds actually enter our bloodstream. Right. It's powerful stuff. Yeah. And can impact everything from our mood to our immune system. It's amazing. And then we talked about sound. Yeah. How natural sounds can calm our minds and bodies. Yeah.

But all that noise pollution, you know, it can really be detrimental to our health. It's bad for us. Yeah. And then we got tactile. Yes. Talk about the benefits of touch in nature, you know, hugging trees, getting our hands dirty in the garden. Right. We need more of that in our lives. Yeah, we do. And then those microbes. Oh. Which I was initially like, I don't know about this. Me too. But it's fascinating how those microorganisms can actually strengthen our immune systems and improve our overall health just from...

Being in nature. Being in nature. Yeah. And then wrapping up that last segment, we talked about bringing nature inside. Right. Biophilic design. Biophilic design. Adding plants to our homes and offices. Even just looking at pictures of nature can have a positive impact. Yeah. It was amazing how much we unpacked just from this one book. Right. But I think one of the big takeaways is that this connection to nature is

It's not a luxury. It's essential. Absolutely. Willis drives that point home. Yeah. And it's about changing our mindset. Right. You know, and seeing nature as a fundamental part of a healthy life. Not just something nice to have. Not just a weekend activity. Right. Yeah. And it goes beyond our own personal well-being. You know, we talked about access to nature. Especially for those living in urban areas. Yeah. It should be a right. It should be a right. And I think, you know, she really challenges us as readers to think about...

you know, if access to nature is a human right, what responsibility do we have? To make sure everyone has that access. Especially as the world is becoming increasingly urban. It's a big question, but it's an important one. Yeah, it is. And, you know, it makes us think about

How we design our cities, our communities, and ultimately how we live our lives. It's a call to action. Yeah, it is. To protect and prioritize nature. Yeah. Well, this has been an incredible journey. It has. And I want to thank you for coming on this deep dive with us. It's been a pleasure. I hope everyone listening has enjoyed it.

you know, maybe a renewed appreciation for nature. And some ideas for how to bring more of it into their lives. Absolutely. Even in small ways. Yeah. So go out there, experience nature and let it nourish your body and your soul. Well said. Thank you for joining us and we'll see you next time.