Few minutes in open air makes people feel more alive
POSTED June 5, 2010 - 13:58 | POSTED BY Kangna Agarwal
Last edited by Harpreet Bhagrath on June 5, 2010 - 14:32
Findings of the study suggest that closeness with nature makes one feel more alive and revitalized.
Details of the study
To reach this conclusion, researchers at the University of Rochester looked at 537 student volunteers and carried out five different experiments on them.
In the first experiment, the participants were asked to walk for 15 minutes through indoor hallways or along a tree-lined river path.
In the second experiment, the students were made to view photographic scenes of buildings or landscapes.
The third experiment exposed them to both active and sedentary situations, both inside and outside.
In the remaining two experiments, researchers measured the mood and energy levels of the participants in different environments and while they engaged in different activities.
Outcome of the study
Analysis revealed that among all the experiments, the students felt more energetic and alive when they spent time in natural surroundings.
Just 20 minutes of walk in the fresh air was found to cause a vitalizing effect on their mood and energy levels.
Overall, the authors concluded that nature/staying outdoors for sometime has more energizing effect on people than sitting indoors for a cup of coffee.
"Nature is fuel for the soul," Richard Ryan, lead author and a professor of psychology at the University of Rochester was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying. "Often when we feel depleted we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized is to connect with nature.”
"Research has shown that people with a greater sense of vitality don't just have more energy for things they want to do, they are also more resilient to physical illnesses. One of the pathways to health may be to spend more time in natural settings," said Ryan.
The study has been published in the June 2010 issue of the Journal of Environmental Psychology.
Past evidence
In recent years, there has been compelling scientific evidence that exposure to nature uplifts energy and mood levels and promotes well being.
For instance, studies have shown that people who go on wilderness excursions report feeling more alive and revitalized.
Some other studies suggest that 90 percent of people report feeling refreshed in presence of nature.
