Study Affirms Nature’s Ability to Relieve Stress

I suppose I should not be surprised that this study was performed, but I have always sort of knew that actually seeing real nature is far more relaxing and calming than watching an animated screen saver, or desktop background.  Of course, in today’s digital world many of us don’t get the opportunity to get out as much as we should, so our screen savers are vacation slide shows and our desktop wallpaper is often scenes of tropical islands we want to visit someday.

SEATTLE - In a study that reaffirms the restorative powers of nature, researchers at the University of Washington report that for stress relief, looking outside trumps toiling away in a windowless room or viewing a digital version of that outdoor scene.

Read the full article here:  http://www.psycport.com/showArticle.cfm?xmlFile=krt_2008_06_11_knihj_6291-0110-MED-NATURE.SE.xml&provider=The%20Seattle%20Times

Perhaps this is a reminder for those of us who get so caught up in our work to take a moment and look out our windows… or better yet… go outside and actually be part of the REAL world for a bit.