I used to live within a postcode that gave me instant street cred amongst people who cared about that sort of thing. It was impossibly cool. There were goths, hipsters, hippies, artists, musicians, tattoos, piercings, dreadlocks, someone who wore a snake as a scarf, and a bloke who each day walked his goats down the main drag, just to be different.
Everything was close. The neighbours, the railway line and the planes that regularly rumbled overhead. Every wall was covered with street art, thumping music pulsed from the pubs and every flavour of food imaginable beckoned as I strolled down the street. I enjoyed the excitement and edginess of it all, even if it meant I had to hurdle pavement pizza, conduct prolonged parking searches and contend with the uncertainty of whether my car would still be where I left it in the morning.
There was however one thing that I struggled with – I wasn’t getting my regular dose of nature.
Previously, I had always lived in places where nature was very accessible. I could walk out the door and be greeted by laughing birds, skittish lizards and trees with pleasant perfumes. Instantly I could breathe, decompress and return to being a regular human animal.
When living in the inner city I tried to scratch my nature itch by taking daily walks to the nearby park. It helped, but even the ducks waddling by the man-made pond seemed a little unimpressed by the place. I was desiring raw nature and was instead met by Cavoodles wearing cardigans.
On the weekend I would rise early, get my mountain bike and head straight out of town. At this point in my life, I hadn’t read a whole lot of research studies telling me the mental health benefits of getting out in nature. I didn’t need to.
Intuitively, I understood that time in the great outdoors was far more of a mood booster than sitting beneath low flying jets as they lined up their landing. Cicadas, eucalypts and giant goannas somehow did restorative things to my nervous system that enabled me to cope.
Weekly nature top-ups could however only do so much. One morning I woke to the pulsing bassy noise of a dance party. Being around 6:00 am on a Tuesday, it seemed a little unneighbourly. I walked down the street in search of the source. I walked the other way and the noise seemed just as loud. Eventually I walked to the audiologist, who advised me that the mystery dance party was actually tinnitus.
None of us is a closed system. While we may not often consider how our environment affects us, science now tells us that it can have a wide range of physiological and psychological impacts. Crowding, congestion and constant stimulation can create chronic stress and cognitive overload. Highly urbanised settings are also associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety and psychological distress.
Noise alone can be detrimental. It increases our stress response, leads to cardiovascular disease, sleep disturbance and hearing issues. It can also create an additional cognitive load, as the brain works to monitor sounds in the background.
The obvious solution is to run away and live in a forest. This however may not be entirely feasible or provide for a desirable number of restaurant delivery options. For anyone who wants the benefits of nature without upping sticks, there are a few practical ways to go about it.
1. Exercise in nature
While there is nothing wrong with going to the gym, exercising outdoors is likely to bring you a range of additional benefits. Intense music is replaced by birdsong, fluorescents are replaced by natural light, and the smell of fellow gym-goers is replaced by the fragrance of a forest! Running on a rocky nature trail is also far more likely to put you in a flow state than training on a treadmill. Forced to consider where each foot must land, your brain stays in the moment, rather than re-hashing the past or worrying about the future.
2. Disappear from your desk
Eating at your desk is a rather unhealthy habit to get into. When it is time for a break, take a proper one. Visit your local park or another outdoor space where you can really relax. Breathe, stretch and mindfully enjoy your food (rather than shovelling it down while attending to a screen). Time in nature can help restore our concentration and allow us to get through the remainder of the day without getting tired and cranky.
3. Redesign your habitat
Much can be done to make houses and workspaces more peaceful, nurturing and habitable environments. From dampening noise, to welcoming natural light and connecting indoor spaces with the outside world, good design can enhance our day-to-day experience. Small, affordable changes can make a significant difference. Research shows that even hanging nature images on your walls or adding some indoor plants can have a calming effect. If the concrete jungle is getting your down, consider what can be done to keep the outside stresses at bay while introducing natural elements in.
4. Get your hands dirty
No matter how small your space, nourishing the natural environment can be incredibly worthwhile. Gardening is good for us, with time digging in the dirt shown to reduce stress. When surrounded by plants, we breathe in their phytoncides, which can also reduce stress, improve mood and lower levels of cortisol. Choose the right plants and you the added benefit of visits from butterflies, birds, bees and other day-brightening creatures.
5. Plan brilliant escapes
While there is much excitement to be found in the city, it is in nature where true wonders await. Consider taking up activities that regularly connect you with the outdoors. Whether you choose to partake in surfing, mountain biking, trail running, kayaking, bushwalking or birdwatching, you will be receiving a powerful top-up of nature. When planning your next trip, consider going somewhere where you can disconnect from overstimulation and provide your brain some precious time to be wild.